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Thursday, January 29, 2009

Khajuraho - The city of Erotic Sculptures

Situated in the historic Bundel Khand region of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is famous world over for the temple art forms of early medieval period. Khajuraho is home to a massive complex of world famous Hindu and Jain temple, built during the 900 AD to 1000 AD by Chandela rulers. The Chandelas were renowned for their love of art and luxury and gifted to the world some of the best sculpted images.

Initially there were 85 temples, but now only 22 temples have left, describing the splendour of that period. The intricately done temple carvings are highly erotic and sensual attempting to depict in pure form a whole range of human emotions and relationships.

Khajuraho is well connected by air, rail and road. So one can easily reach the town and enjoy a fine glimpse of the era gone by. For accommodation plenty of hotels are available ranging from luxury to mid range categories.

Major Attractions
Khajuraho Temples: Temples are of course, the major attractions of Kahuraho. The temples of Khajuraho are divided into three categories, namely Western Group, Eastern Group and Southern Group. The Western Group temples are the largest, precise and centrally located. The Eastern Group temples comprise of five separated sub-groups in and around the present village of Khajuraho. While, the Southern Group temples are located at some distance.

Kandariya Mahadeo Temple (Western Group): Kandariya Mahadeo is the biggest and most typical of Khajuraho temples. The temple rises to a height of 31 metres from the ground and around 900 statues, most of them in erotic postures could be seen in the temple. The deity worshipped in this temple is Lord Shiva.

Chaunsat Yogini Temple ( Western Group): Chaunsat Yogini Temple is the only temple of Khajuraho made of granite. Here the deity worshipped is goddess Kali. Unfortunately, no any image of goddess Kali could survive the adverse condition. Besides, only 35 of the original 65 cells have remained intact.

Chitragupta Temple (Western Group): Facing eastwards to the rising sun, Chitragupta Temple is dedicated to the sun-god, Surya. The inner sanctum houses a very attractive image of the Sun God. In addition, there are numerous beautiful images on the walls depicting royal processions, group dances and other scenes of sheer luxury.

Parsvanath Temple (Eastern Group): One of the finest of sculpted Khajuraho temples, Parsvanath Temple is the largest Jain temple of the place. Originally dedicated to Adinath, Saint Parsvanath is now worshipped in the temple. The art forms of the temple are very beautiful and sensitive, but don’t have sexual motifs. The sculptures on the temple walls have an amazing depiction of everyday activity of that period.


Adinatha Temple (Eastern Group): Adinatha is the last of Jain temples in Khajuraho. The temple walls have some of the most attractive sculptures of yakshis among others.

Duladeo Temple (Southern Group): Duladeo Temple is one of the most attractive temples of the southern group in Khajuraho. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has a number of sensuous images of the Apsaras (heaven women) and a few other exquisite sculptures.

Pandav Falls (30 km): The picturesque Pandav Falls lies at a distance of 30 kms from Khajuraho. Falling down to the Ken River from great heights, the sight of the falls is really breathtaking. It is believed that the Pandavas spent some years of their exile here and hence it had been named as Pandav Falls.

Panna National Park (40 km): Situated at a distance of 40 kms from Khajuraho, Panna National Park is home a wide variety of fauna. Here you can spot antelopes, chinkaras, sambars and boars. If you are lucky enough, you can have a glimpse of the elusive tiger. Many varieties of bird species can also be spotted in Panna National Park.

Dhubela Museum (64 km): Dhubela Museum is located at a distance of 64 kms from Khajuraho. The museum has an impressive collection of garments, weapons and paintings belonging to the Bundela rulers. The museum also has some sculptures belonging to the Shakti cult.

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