KHAJURAHO DANCE FESTIVAL Location : Khajuraho, in Bundelkand District of Madhya Pradesh Most Popular Dance : Kathak, Kuchipudi Visiting Time : Month of February to March Venue : Chitragupta and Vishwanatha Temple of Western Group

Khajuraho Festive Celebration

Khajuraho Temples

Music and Dance

Khajuraho Dance Festival – This is What your Heart Will Brood Over

The world famous temples of Khajuraho are known not only for their erotic sculpture, magnificent carvings and monumental heritage, but also for the annually held famous dance festival exclusively belonging to Khajuraho.
Do you remember seeing the poster displaying women clad in best of attires, dancing in full bloom, behind a scenic landscape wherein you can see temples, gardens and rocks. Then you must have felt an extreme and obscure desire to be there at that very moment. Well the Khajuraho Dance festival in Madhya Pradesh is the answer to all your desires. The Madhya Pradesh tourism board organises this week long festival during the month of March. This five year old tradition has now become a major reason for the tourist to visit the erotic and sensuous temples of Khajuraho. It is the time when the stones began to communicate with the audience in a rhythmic tone.
From all over the world people come to witness this unique dance festival that is held annually from February to March. A celebration of Hindu classical dances this festival organised by Eicher and Madhya Pradesh Kala Parishad, this festival draws thousand of extremely talented artists from across the globe to present their talent with the temples in scrim and the beholder in the front. Celebrating the magic of the rich classical Indian dances this is a spectacular event that augusts the glory of the enigmatic temples as well. This festival is famed nationally and also has created some niche and reputation in the international world.

The Fortification of the Divine Art Forms

This temple festival showcases various Indian Classical dances. Participate to spectacle various dance forms like the Kathak – dance of intricate foot work, Kuchipudi – dance drama, Bharatnatyam – stylish yet sophisticated, Odissi – mellifluous lyrical temple dance, Manipuri – depicting ancient civilisation, and Kathakali – the stage fight masked dance, that are some of the most popular dances. The open air auditorium where this art is performed, this seven day splendour invites two consummate artists from different genus to perform in an evening. Clashing with the famous Maha Shiv Ratri festival, the whole town during the event is blazing with festivity and religiousness. At this time the country's premiere dance festival is also revered and huge participation is drawn by the artists as well as the tourists. Besides the belletristic dance forms, recently modern dance forms have also been added for global exposure. This culture festival is held in the spring season, with a purpose to aware the present society, of the cultural heritage of Khajuraho and to preserve them for the upcoming generation.

In The Radiance of the Sun God

The Chitragupta Temple dedicated to the Sun God and the Vishwanatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the western group of the Khajuraho temples host this event. The illuminated temples add the glamour to the strenuous effort of the dancers. The western group of the Khajuraho temple is the largest and has the most spectacular monumental heritage. The beautiful gardens and lawns add to the ambiance. At dusk when the sun goes down, the temple of Sun God, is brightened and makes the person feel the presence of the sun and moon in fervency. It is indeed the platform where the past comes confronts the presence, in a rendezvous against the dark dotted night.

The Heritage That Goes Beyond Music and Dance

This dance festival not only accentuates the classical and modern dance of the country, but also give a chance to the artisans and craftsmen to display their talent. Do no miss visiting the workshops and seminars that are organised by the renowned artisans during the dance festival. These artists through this festival get a chance to emblazon their arts to the numerous visitors and tourists. Not only this, an open air field plays host to a market that sells the local handicrafts of Khajuraho. These locals handicrafts are native to these areas and one must buy these artifacts as token of remembrance. The Khajuraho Dance festival is one the rare festivals of the world that highlights the Indian Classical from of dance. This festival attracts thousands of tourist every year. To contemplate this event from your eyes is a remarkable reminisces of the rich Indian culture and heritage.