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Khajuraho situated in the heart of northern part of
the state Madhya Pradesh in India.It is famous for its splendid
temples.exquisitely carved temples in stones. Apart from the temples,
Khajuraho is a small village but a thousand years ago it was a large city.
These temples were built during the reign of the Chandela dynasty.Khajuraho
is also famous for its legendary Khajuraho dance festival.
Discovered by chance, India's second biggest single tourist attraction,
Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval temples that are adorned with
numerous sculptures of extraordinary grace and delicacy celebrating the
stylized and refined courtly accomplishments of beauty, love and creative
arts. Once the religious capital of the Chandela Rajputs, the temples of the
city date from 950-1050 AD. A wall with eight gates encloses the entire area
and two golden palm trees flank each of them. Originally, there were over 80
temples, of which only 22 now can be said remarkably preserved.
The temples of Khajuraho are dedicated to Gods and Goddesses like Shiva,
Jagadamba and Vishnu . These temples are example of exemplary sculptural art
and architecture. The city is known to the world for its erotic
sculptures.These temples are thousand years old.Close to Khajuraho is a
small village populated by no more than 3,000 residents.Khajuraho is visited
every year by tourists from all over the world.
The set of temples at Khajuraho celebrating Hindu religious thought in its
mystifying variety of scope and inclusion stands distinguished from rest of
the Hindu temples. The temples highlight the existential ethos in religion
that venerates 'Yoga' and 'Bhoga'. 'Yoga' is union of the self with the
Almighty, while 'Bhoga' is the path to God through physical pleasure. The
temples at Khajuraho, dedicated to physical love and pleasure are a
testimony to this philosophy.
Khajuraho temples were constructed between 950 and 1050 A.D. during the
reign of Chandel Empire. Khajuraho derives its name from the Khajur tree
(the date palm tree) which can be found in abundance in the area. These
temples are considered the "high point" of Indian architectural genius in
the Medieval period.
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HOW
TO REACH
By Air - The airport is 5km away from the village centre. Indian
Airlines flies daily from Delhi to Khajuraho via Agra. Keep in mind
that it is a very popular flight, and is usually booked days in
advance
By Rail - The nearest railheads are Mahoba and Harpalpur. Jhansi is
a convenient railhead for those travelling from Mumbai, Delhi and
Chennai and Varanasi the railhead is Satna, on the Mumbai-Allahabad
section of the Central Railway is ideal. Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta,
Chennai, Agra by train to the railheads.
By Road - Khajuraho is connected by regular and direct bus services
with Chhatarpur, Mahoba, Harpalpur, Satna, panna, Jhansi, Gwalior,
Agra, Sagar, Jabalpur, indore, Bhopal, Varanasi and Allahabad
WHEN TO GO
Khajuraho Can be traveled Between October - April.
as this is the most ideal time for all visitors.
Khajuraho is mostly famous for its temples. Originally there were 85
temples, of which only 22 still exist. Despite the fact that they
were dedicated to different Hindu gods Shiva, Vishnu and Jain
saints, they followed the same architectural style.
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WHAT TO SEE |
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Kandariya Mahadeo Temple - The largest, most
typical Khajuraho temple, it soars 31 m high. Dedicated to shiva, the
sanctum sanctorum enshrines a lingam. The main shrine is exquisitely
carved and features, in delicate detail, gods, goddesses, celestial
maidens and lovers. Particularly noteworthy are the entrance arch, the
ceilings and pillars of the interior compartments.
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Vishwanath Temple - The temple enshrines a
three-headed image of Lord Brahma. Lions guard the northern entrance to
the structure, while elephants flank the southern flight of steps that
lead upto it. The exteriors are profusely carved, and facing the shrine
is a Nandi Temple with a massive, 6 ft high Nandi bull.
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State Museum of Tribal & Folk Arts - A fine
collection of masterpieces of tribal and folk art and artifacts from all
over Madhya Pradesh is on display at the Chandela Cultural Complex. The
tradition of tribal and folk arts and crafts has evolved over centuries.
It represents the best of Indian culture and tradition and its synthesis
with foreign cultures that came through trade and invasions.
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Chitragupta Temple - A three- headed image of
Brahma is enshrined in this temple. The approach is equally impressive,
with lions flanking the northern and elephants the southern steps that
lead up to it. A Nandi bull faces the shrine.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.
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Lakshamana Temple - The lintel over the entrance
of this beautiful Vaishnavite temple shows the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu
and Shiva with Lakshmi, Vishnu's idol of Vishnu's incarnations,
Narasimha and Varaha. This boar incarnation also appears in a nine-feet
high statue at the Varaha Temple.
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Chaunsat Yogini - The only granite temple and
the earliest surviving shrine of the group (900 A.D.), it is dedicated
to Kali. Only 35 of the orginal 65 shrines remain. Another Kali temple
(originally dedicated to Vishnu) is the Devi Jagdambe Temple.
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Matangeswara Temple - Still a living place of
worship, the temple is dedicated to shiva, has an eight feet high
lingam, and is outside the precincts of the Western Group. It is still a
place of worship. South of this temple is the open air Archaeological
Museum, which has a beautiful displayed collection of statues and
friezes collected from the area : the remains of long vanished temples
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Ghantai - Mostly in ruins now, the temple of
Ghantai has fine columns and chains and bells, with a figure of a Jain
goddess on a garuda. 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.
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Shantinath Temple - Shantinath is the youngest
of all the temples in Khajuraho. It is just a century old and has a big
statue of Adinath.
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The Temple of Brahma and Hanuman - The temple of
Brahma and Hanuman is one of the oldest temples in Khajuraho. It is
built mostly of granite and sandstone and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
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Parsvanath Jain Temples - The temple of
Parsvanath is the largest of the Jain temples in Khajuraho. It was
originally dedicated to Adinath and later to Parsvanath.
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Duladeo Temple - Of the Southern group, Duladeo,
dedicated to Shiva, dates back to AD 1100-50. It is overburdened with
ornamentation and lacks depth.
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Chaturbhuj Temple - Three kilometres from the
main town is the Chaturbhuj temple, dedicated to Vishnu, a plain temple
amidst all the carved and decorated ones.
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Khajuraho Dance Festival - To mark the true
spirit of Khajuraho, a dance festival is held here in March, every year,
wherein, ace artistes of various dance forms participate.
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WHERE TO EAT
There are so many good restaurants with different delicacies, and all the
major hotels has their own specialty restaurant and bar.
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