The Khajuraho Group of Monuments or more simply Khajuraho is a group of Jain and Hindu temples that is situated in the Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh. The ruins are located at a distance of 175 Km on the southeastern side of Jhansi. The temples and the other constructions of the site happen to be famous for their nagara type of architecture, depicting erotic postures with clarity.
The Khajuraho temple site holds nearly 85 temples that can be dated back to 12th century. The entire site is distributed across 20 square kilometer. However till the current times only 25 of these temples of have survived. The Khajuraho monuments are renowned for their exquisite sculptures and striking architecture. No other monument remnants in India have such stunning array of erotic sculptures in them as those in Khajuraho.
Khajuraho Mandir & Group of Monuments Built by
Khajuraho group of monuments were built under the guidance of the Chandela Dynasty rulers. They begun the building of the monuments soon after the rise to power and continued the trend throughout the tenure of their rule. This Kingdom in a later date came to be known as Bundelkhand. A wide majority of the building were constructed during the reign of King Yashovarman and King Dhanga. The Lakshman Temple is one of the best of what was created under the rule of King Yashovarman. Similarly out of all the temples created under King Dhangar’s rule the Vishwanath Temple happens to be the best. However the most famous of all the surviving temples in Khajuraho is Kandariya Mahadeva Temple which was built under King Vidyadhara. The inscription found on this Temple suggests that most of the other temples were completed between the era of 970 and 1030 AD.
The Khajuraho Temples are situated about 35 miles away from the city of Mahoba which was a prominent centre in the mediaeval age. This city happened to be the capital of the Chandela dynasty and was located in the Kalinjar region. Khajuraho was mentioned in the writing of the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang who also wrote about other Buddhist and Hindu temples and monasteries in his document. Abu Rihan Al Biruni also mentioned Khajuraho in his writings in 1022 CE. Historical writing suggests that the Khajuraho Temples happened to be in active use till the end of the 12th century. This trend however met with a change in the next or the 13th century when the Army of the Delhi sultanate under the leadership of Sultan Qutubuddin Aibak attacked and seized the Chandela Kingdom.
Khajuraho Temple Timings
Khajuraho is a site that has much to be witnessed and analyzed. It is a rare experience in its own right. Hence if you wish to check out and explore the entire site you must visit the place with a few hours in hand. Since the place does not have enough electrical lighting you must visit the place during the daylight hours. The place is open all round the week. You can visit the place anytime from 8am to 6pm. The place is even open on holidays.
Khajuraho ka Mandir Information
The Khajuraho temples are named after the date palm trees which were operational in the place of the gates of the premises during the earlier time. Although the Khajuraho Temples are renowned for the erotic sculptures all over it yet the carving are similar to what you get to see at the Konark Surya Mandir in Orissa. The origin and inspiration of the sculptures are to be found in ancient Hindu iconography and are derived from the core belief of Hinduism that rests on the four tenets of Karma Dharma Kama and Moksha.
The temples in Khajuraho are mainly made out of granite and sandstone and follow the tradition of Nagara architecture. Apart from the Chaturbhuja temple all the other constructions are facing the sun which is a common element found in the architecture of Hindu temples. The Gods and Goddesses forms are so exhibited that it clearly explains a co-dependence of the female and the male power on each other. It is the Mandela design that dominates the basic architecture of the temple which is why you find squares and circles all over the place.
The entire complex of temples can be easily divided into three regions or zones. These zones are the Western group of temples, the Eastern group of temples and, the Southern group of temples.
Khajuraho MP & How to Reach:
Khajuraho is well connected to all the other parts of the country through elaborate network of air, road and rail. Khajuraho has its own airport that connects the place which cities are like Delhi, Varanasi, Bhopal, Mumbai, etc. You can also get stop over flight in this route.
The Khajuraho site is about 2 kilometers away from the airport. You can easily hire a taxi or a local cab to visit the Khajuraho site. If you are travelling from nearby areas like Satna, Jhansi, Mahoba, Chhatarpur, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Indore, Agra, Panna, Allahabad, or Varanasi you can avail both the AC and the non AC bus services.
Khajuraho also has a railway station of its own however very few train stop in this junction. Khajuraho is directly connected through rail with Delhi. The main railway station is that of Mahoba which about 63 kilometers away from the Khajuraho site is. Cabs and taxis are also available in the Khajuraho railway station from where you can travel to the site through any kind of public transport medium.
Khajuraho Temple Entry Fee:
The Indian tourist needs to pay an amount of Rs. 40 as the entry fee. Similarly tourist from SAARC and BIMSTEC countries also used to pay Rs. 40 as the entry fee. Foreigners or the foreign tourist need to pay Rs.600 as the entry fee. Children below the age of 15 can visit the place for free. You can buy the ticket once you are in the site or you can pre book the ticket online from different from any virtual platform.
Khajuraho Caves & Other Important Structures
Khajuraho has a splendid collection of Hindu and Jain temples. These temples exhibit an exquisite and flamboyant style of architecture, sculpture and carving that reflects the contemporary artistic style in central India. The sculptures and the carvings on the walls of the Khajuraho Temples are more than just their erotic postures. They depict some of the finest artists expressions, very clean lines, exquisite expressions, fantastic depiction of mythological characters all of which has reached the Pinnacle of artistic expression. Some of the most important architectural remnants of the site are as follows:
- Kandariya Mahadev Temple
- Chausath Yogini temple
- Lakhsmana Temple
- Adinath temple
- Matangeshwar temple
- Javari Temple
- Devi Jagdamba Temple
- Parsvanath Temple
- Chitragupta temple
Best time to visit Khajuraho
The best time to visit Khajuraho is during the winter season. The months from November to March are the most favorable time when you can visit the place. Since all the temples and the other engraving, carving and sculptures are out in the open you need to the visit the place during the day time. This is how you can experience and witness the place best. Hence the winter season the best time for you to see the place. This is how you will be comfortable while going through the entire complex.
Khajuraho India History
The history of Khajuraho is really a rich and a flamboyant one. The vast number and variety of temples available in the region is a standing ovation to the fact. The side by side existing Jain and Hindu temples are recognition of the religious and the cultural harmony that existed in India during this time. The place is rich in remnants from an age that was also flourishing in terms of commerce and trade. It seems both men and women enjoyed an equal status in this society.
Khajuraho Tourism & Attractions nearby
Madhya Pradesh is a labyrinth of tourist attractions. You can see different things like:
- Rajwada
- Sarafa Bazaar
- Patalpaani Falls
- Choral Dam
- Lotus lake
- Ralamandal
- Upper Lake
- Taj-ul-Masjid
- Sanchi Stupa
- Lower lake
- Bhimbetka caves
- State Tribal Museum
- Bhojur Shiv Mandir
- Raisen Fort
- Bee falls
- Jatashankar caves
- Pandav caves
- Handi Koh
- Rajat Pratap Falls
- Dhoopgarh
- Kanchana Ghat
- Chattris
- Orchha Nature reserves
- Western Group Temples
- Beni sagar Dam
- Ken Ghariyal Sanctuary
Khajuraho India Light and sound show
A light and sound show is also organized in front of the Khajuraho Temple by the tourism department in Madhya Pradesh. The shows are available in two languages of English and Hindi. You can see these shows both in winters as well as in summers the shows are not hosted during the monsoons for practical reasons. During the winters watch this show in the evening from 6:30 p.m. to 7:25 p.m. This timing continued from the month of October till that of February. The summer timing are from evening 7:30 p.m. to 8:25 p.m. and this timing is continued for the month from March to September.
