Khajuraho

WHAT TO SEE 

 The temples are grouped into three geographical divisions: western, eastern and southern.

 Western Group

The Western group is certainly the best known, because it is to this group that the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple belongs : the Kandariya Mahadev. Perfectly symmetrical, it soars 31 km high.

Kandariya Mahadeo: This is the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple. There are about 900 statues. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it soars 31 m high. The sanctum enshrines a lingam, while the main shrine is ornately carved and depicts various gods, goddesses, apsaras (heavenly maidens) in elaborate detail. The entrance arch, the massive pillars and ceilings are adorned with exquisite carvings that leave the visitor spellbound. Beyond the archway of the Kandariya Mahadev, lie the six interior compartments; the portico, main hall, transept, vestibule, sanctum and ambulatory. The ceilings are particularly noteworthy and the pillars supporting them have intricately carved capitals. The transept's outer walls have three horizontal panels showing deities of the Hindu pantheon, and groups of lovers, a pageant of sensuousness, vibrantly alive. Temple Built between 1025 and 1050 AD, it represents the Chandela art at its finest. Kandariya Mahadev is especially popular with visitors for the extraordinarily energetic and provocative erotica that ornates its three tiers, covering almost every facet of the exterior.

Chaunsat Yogini: The oldest surviving temple in the group (900 A.D.), this is the sole granite temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. The temple consists of 35 small granite shrines clustered around a quadrangle, there were originally 64 shrines, with the presiding goddess's temple at the centre and no image of Kali has survived, since this is the earliest surviving shrine of the group dated to 900 AD. Dating from the 9th century, this ruined temple is probably the oldest in Khajuraho,

Chitragupta Temple: Dedicated to the sun-god, Surya, this temple faces eastwards to the rising sun. The inner sanctum boasts of an impressive image of the presiding deity - the majestic sun-god looming 5 feet high, and driving a chariot. The other group scenes depict royal processions, group dances and other scenes of sheer luxury, elephant fights and hunting scenes, typical of the Chandela court-life.

Vishwanath Temple: Vishvanatha, in the northeast corner of the enclosure is the third of the three main Western Group shrines believed to have been built in 1002. Vishvanatha, is most definitely a Shiva temple, as confirmed by the open mandapa pavilion in front of the main temple, where a monolithic seated Nandi waits obediently.

Lakshamana Temple: The richly carved Lakshamana Temple, dating from around 950 AD. this temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, shows the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva with Goddess Lakshmi, Vishnu's consort. The sanctum is adorned with a three-headed idol of Vishnu's incarnations, Narasimha and Varaha. The latter, the boar incarnation also appears as a nine-feet high statue at the Varaha Temple. It stands on a high plinth covered with processional friezes of horses, elephants and camels, as well as soldiers, domestic scenes, musicians and dancers.
 

Varaha Temple: Varaha Temple was built between 10th and 11th centuries housing a huge, highly polished sandstone image of Vishnu as the boar - Varaha, the temple has a 'phamsana' (pyramidal) roof of receding tiers, supported on twelve pillars, there being a short frontal projection, supported on two other pillars, which serves as the entrance.

Matangeshwara Temple: This temple, which happens to be outside the precincts of the western group, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It boasts of an eight feet high lingam. It is still a place of worship. Standing next to the Lakshmana Temple, this temple is not within the fenced enclosure because it is still in everyday use, unlike all the other old Khajuraho temples. It may be the simplest temple here.

Devi Jagadambi Temple: North of Kandariya Mahadeva along the platform, the earlier Devi Jagadambi temple is a simpler structure, whose outer walls lack projecting balconies. Originally dedicated to Vishnu, its prominent mandapa is capped by a massive pyramidal roof, but later dedicated to Parvati and then Kali, known here as Jagadambi.

Eastern Group

Parsavanatha Temple: The largest in the group of three Jain temples, the Parsavanath image in this temple, was installed in 1860. The sculptures on the northern wall depict everyday activity, in awesome detail. A woman sits bent pensively on a letter, a lovely young girl removes a thorn from her foot, the master craftsmen of Khajuraho display here their deep understanding of the trifles that make up a human life. Within the temple, a throne faces the bull emblem of first tirthankara, Adinath.

Ghantai Temple: This Jain temple has a frieze depicting the 16 dreams of Mahavira's mother, and a multi-armed Jain goddess perched on a winged Garuda.

Adinatha Temple: The last of the Jain temples, is dedicated to the Jain saint, Adinatha, and is gorgeously adorned with sculptures of yakshis among others

            The three Hindu temples in this group are the Brahma temple, which has a four-faced lingam, The Vamana temple which is embellished with images of ravishing apsaras at their alluring best; and finally the Javari temple, with its ornate gateway and lavish carvings. A variety of sensuous attitudes : languid, provocative, mischievously inviting, give credibility to the theory that Khajuraho's erotica were meant to test the devotees who came to worship their gods at the temples.

Southern Group:

Duladeo Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the highlights of this temple are the sensuous images of the apsaras, and other exquisite sculptures.

Chaturbhuj Temple: This temple has an outstanding deity 2.7m (9 ft) tall of Lord Vishnu in its inner sanctum.

How to Reach

By Air A daily Boeing 737 service links Khajuraho with Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Kathmandu.

By Rail The nearest railheads are Mahoba (64 km) and Harpalpur (94 km). Jhansi (175 km) and Satna (117 km) are convenient railheads for visitors from Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Agra and Varanasi.

By Road Khajuraho is connected by regular bus services with Mahoba, Harpalpur, Satna, Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra, Jabalpur and Bhopal.

Best Season September to March.

SITES NEARBY

Benisagar Lake (11 km) - A picnic spot and a dam of the Khudar river. Ideal for boating and angling.
Ranguan Lake (25 km) - A dam site at the confluence of the Ken and Simri rivers.
Pandav Waterfall (30 km) - A waterfall on river Ken. The Pandavas of the Mahabharata are believed to have spent a part of their exile here.
Ranch Waterfalls (20 km) - Waterfalls on the Ken river, famous for rock formations.
Rajgarh Palace (25 km) - More than 150 years old, this palace nestles at the foot of the Manjyagarh hills.