KHAJURAHO TEMPLES Location : Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh Carved In : 11th century Famous For : Erotic Frenzies and Sculptures Best Time To Visit : September to March

Khajuraho Dance Festival

Khajuraho

Pilgrim Destination

Khajuraho - Temples With a Difference

Khajuraho town, also known as the city of moon god is world renowned erotic sculptures carved out of stones on the walls of temple complexes. These temples are a representation of sanctity and are also known for their religious benediction. The central Indian architectural style comprises the architectural pattern of the temple structure. The construction of the temples began in the 11th century and it took around 200 years to build the entire lot of these masterpiece. The architectural pattern of the temple reminds one of the Himalayan peaks, having huge tip at the top with the slant slopes. The compartments are built in such a way that the chief building lies in the center and the lowest stands next to the portico, maintaining the hierarchy. Khajuraho temples are customarily divided into three broad categories
The Eastern group : The Eastern group of temples are the ones that are located near the actual town of Khajuraho. The five isolated sub division of the temples along with the three Brahmanical temple and three Jain temples, together comprise the eastern group of temples.
The Western group : The Western group is the largest of all the groups and wherein the monuments are known to be the most spectacular of all. Prospered and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, this group of temple is located in the center and has beautiful green lawns and gardens encircling them. Lakshmana Temple, the Matangesvara Temple and the Varaha Temple are the most important temple among the group.
The Southern group : The Southern group of Khajuraho temples is situated at the distant location and constitute the two temples of Duladeo and Chaturbhuja, situated near and across the Khudarnala.

Proto-history of the Lascivious Sculptures of KhajurahoTemples

The beneficence of these temples goes to the Chandela rulers who between the 950 and 1050 AD constructed these temples. These temples, were 85 in number originally, but today only 22 of them are surviving. Today this site is recognised as a world heritage site and the true representation of the Medieval architecture. Considered as the descendant of the moon, the legend says that this temple was the outcome of the fantasy of the founder of the Chandela dynasty, in which his mother instructed him to build the temple that would reveal human passions and as a result, bring out the realisation of emptiness of the human desires. The story has it that Hemavati, the mother of the first Chandela ruler, was the beautiful daughter of a Brahmin priest and was aroused by the moon god. This unison between the mortal and the immortal, led to the birth of a boy, Chandravarman. This unwed mother went to live in a forest to save her of humiliations. She played the role of a mother as well as teacher and fostered her son into the future king. Chandarvarman, began the construction of the temple and was completed by his successors.

The sculptures of the temples revolves around the varied moods of women. There are sculptures that depict the actions of women in every aspect. Be it decorating herself, or playing with her children. The dominant ones are the seductive and indefinitely beauties divas of the bygone times. These sculptures showcase the combination of the sensual pleasures while performing the duties of facsimile of the new world. These stages of life are considered to be instrumental in leading a person towards Moksha (Salvation).

The Largest Accumulation of Temples - Western Group

The Western Group of the Khajurao temples have the maximum number of temples. Placed in the centre part of the area, these temples were built in proportion. The monuments in this group are revered by the historians are considered to be the most astounding of all. It is very well maintained by the governments and has beautiful lawns surrounding it. The most famous temples of this group are the Lakshmana Temple, Matangesvara Temple, Varaha Temple, Visvanatha and Nandi temples, Chitragupta, Jagadambi and the Kandariya Mahadeo temples.
Kandariya Mahadeo Temple in the west side of the complex is the largest temples of Khajuraho. 31 m high this temple houses 900 sculptures and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Exquisite carving is very well elaborated on the archways, pillars and ceiling of the temple. The six interior alcoves beyond the archway is very notable. This temple is the major attraction that allures tourists to come to Khajuraho. The outer walls of the temple has three horizontal panels highlighting deities of the Hindu pantheon, and groups of lovers, a pageant of sensuousness, dynamically alive.
Chaunsat Yogini Temple is the oldest temple in the group. Built in the 900 BC, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali and sole granite was used for its construction. Becaude of the fact that it is the oldest temple, it is in a pitiable condition and all the images of Goddess Kali is non existent. Devi Jagdambe temple is another temple dedicated to Goddess Kali.
Vishwanath Temple is dedicated to Lord Brahma and has an image of three headed Brahma. The entrance of the temple is guarded by lions and and elephants ham up the stairs. The 6 ft high augustly Nandini Bull faces this temple.
Chitragupta Temple Shrine is dedicated to the sun god, this temple faces the rising sun. There is an impressive image of Sun God, is sitting pretty on a 5 feet high chariot. Chnadela court scenes are also depicted through the sculptures is dedicated to lord Vishnu and houses the three head idol of Lord Vishnu.
Matangeshwara Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva falls outside this group and today has been converted into a museum which has traces of the great temples that talks about the golden history of this place.

Eastern Group - Inside Khajuraho Town

The eastern group of temples at Khajuraho has five bifurcated temples incorporated together. Located in the heart of the Khajuraho town, it also has some temples dedicated to Jainism. Parsavanatha Temple is a Jain temple that is largest among the others. The famous Parsavanatha image was placed here in the year 1860. The sculptures of the temple mainly depictions of everyday activities in elaborate detail. Adinath, first Tirthankara in Jain religion is the other center of attraction and visited by the tourist as well the devotees.
Ghanti and Adinatha Temples are also Jain temples adorned with magnificent wall paintings inside the temple complex. The Adinath temple is dedicated to saint Adinath and has yakshis sculptures. The Ghanti temple on the other hand houses the frieze depicting the 16 dreams of Mahavira's mother.
The three temples of this group are dedicated to Hindu deities. The four faced Lingam in the Brahma temple, the image of sensuous Apsaras in the Vamana temple and the grand arch and extensive carvings in the Javari temple, comprise the three Hindu temples.

To the South of the Heritage - Southern Group

5 kilometres from the Khajuraho village, lies the southern group of the Khajuraho temple. This segregation of areas holds only two temples - Duladeo and Chaturbhuja. Duladeo temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the sculptures of the ravishing Apsaras are the main attractions of the temple.The main highlight of the Chaturbhuja temple is the sanctimonious sculpture of Lord Vishnu.
The Khajuraho Temples are the country's major attraction. These sculptures are jubilant paeans of life and have an extraordinary explicitness that makes them remarkable. Tourist from all over the world comes to see the brilliance that is camouflaged in the sculptures of the ornately carved temples.