Khajuraho

Khajuraho a small tourist destination in Madhya Pradesh ( Central India ) is a place that breathes sensuality, where each stone speaks, where each particle of ancient dust throbs with passion. Khajuraho temples are UNESCO World Heritage. Built between 950 and 1050 AD by Chandela rulers of the region are spread over 6 sq. kms. The Khajuraho group of temples were built together but were dedicated to two religions, Hinduism and Jainism, suggesting a tradition of acceptance and respect for diverse religious views among Hindus and Jains in the region.

Sensuality and eroticism have always been the part of India architecture. There are many temples in India ,where erotic sculptures have been carved out of the stone. However , Temples of Khauraho are at their zenith. Various scenes from Kamasutra have been sculptured on the walls of the temples. Though these poses have been carved in stone but the emotions in the figures make them alive.

Temples today have been distributed in three different groups namely Western , Eastern and Southern Group of Temples.

Western Group of Temple are perhaps the most preserved temples where every inch of the stone has a story about it. The temples in this complex are the finest specimen of temple architecture in India. Kandariya Mahadeo is the biggest temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Other notable temples in the complex are Chausath Yogini dedicated to Goddess Kali, the walls of Laxmana Temple have more than 600 sculptures of gods and goddesses , animal and sensuous couples

Eastern and Southern Group of Temples are scattered all around the old village of Khajuraho.  A tour of these two group of temples not only brings the architectural temples to you but you also explore Real India – Rural India. Eastern Group has Jain temples as well as three Hindu Temples. Though these temples are dedicated to Jain Teerthankars but the artists perhaps could not stop themselves from depicting celestial beauty in its sculptures. Southern Group has only two temples left out of which Chaturbhuj Temple is has a beautiful carved idol of dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

One must go the the Western Group of Temples in the evening. Sit calm and quite in the gardens of the temples and a Sound & Light show will take you back to the era of Chandela dynasty.