Khajuraho Temples

Madhya Pradesh is the land, where Nature's efforts complement those of man, to provide a setting, awe inspiring in its sheer magnificence. It is a land which calls for an open mind, for the essence of Madhya Pradesh is, as you interpret it.

Situated in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho, is a fascinating village with a quaint rural ambience and a rich cultural heritage. The fascinating temples of Khajuraho, India's unique gift of love to the world, represent the expression of a highly matured civilization. After the Taj it is the most frequently visited monument in India.

History Of Khajuraho
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.

Originally there were 85 temples, of which only 22 still exist. The amazingly short span of 100 years, from 950 AD - 1050 AD, saw the completion of all the temples, in an inspired burst of creativity. With the wane of the Chandela empire, these magnificent temples lay neglected, and vulnerable to the ravages of Nature.
What to see
Khajuraho temple complex site is one the most popular places both foreign and Indian tourists. Temples of Khajuraho hold the attention of a visitor with their sculptural art, which is so exquisite and intricate, that one cannot even dream of cloning it now. The artist's creative instincts have beautifully captured various facets and moods of life in stone. The temples at Khajuraho are divided into three broad groups:

The Western Group Of Temples
The temples of the Western Group are large and lavishly decorated, displaying the wealth and power of the rulers. Most of the temples are dedicated to Lord Vishnu or Shiva.

Kandariya Mahadeo
The 31m high temple is the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple with exquisite carvings and intricate and detailed craftsmanship in stone . This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and enshrines the 'linga'.

Chaunsath Yogini
The temple is the earliest temple of the group that has survived. It belongs to 900 AD and is dedicated Goddess Kali. It has the distinction of being the only granite temple here.

Chitragupta Temple
This temple is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev). It is in front of this temple and the Vishwanatha temple that most of the dance performances take place during the Khajuraho Dance Festival.

Vishwanatha Temple
This temple has outstanding entrances with magnificent stone guarding its northern steps and royal masonry elephants taking care of the southern steps. The three-headed image of Lord Brahma here is worth seeing.

Lakshmana Temple
A pretty Vaishnava temple flaunts a lintel over its entrance depicting the divine trinity of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva along with Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu.

Matangeshwara Temple
Situated outside the premises of Western group of temples, this Lord Shiva's temple is known for the daunting eight-feet high lingam (male organ representing the natural process of reproduction and the continuity of human life form) that it enshrines.

The Eastern Group Of Temples
The Eastern Group Of Temples exhibit the architectural designs of a class.

Ghantai Temple
This is a Jain Temple, famous for its ornamental depiction of 16 dreams of Mahavira's mother and a Jain goddess on a winged Garuda.

Vamana Temple
This temple is adorned on its outer walls with carvings of apsaras (celestial beauties) in a variety of sensuous moods.

Javari Temple
This temple is famous for its richly carved gateway and exterior sculptors.

Brahma Temple
This is known for its four-faced image of Brahma housed in the sanctum of the temple. The temple is made up of granite stone and its shikhar is that of sandstone.

Hanuman Temple
This is another remarkable specimen of Khajuraho temple architecture. It is famous for the colossal statue of Hanuman, about 8 ft high, placed in the temple.

Adinath Temple
The Adinath temple is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankara Adinath. The lavish embellishment with sculpted figures, including that of Yakshis is quite remarkable.

Southern Group Of Temples
The southern group of temples comprises of only two temples which are architecturally stupendous.

Duladeo Temple
This Shaiva temple is known for flaunting the striking images of the celestial maidens or apsaras and richly ornamented figures.

Chaturbhuja Temple
It is the huge imposing intricately carved image of Lord Vishnu in the temple's sanctum, which is the chief attraction of the temple.


Dance Festival
Visitors are also drawn to a dance festival, celebrated in March, which attracts some of the best classical dancers in the country - the floodlit temples provide a spectacular backdrop during the event. In a setting where the earthly and the divine create perfect harmony, it is a spectacular event that celebrates the pure magic of the rich classical dance traditions of India.
Accessibility
Air: A daily Boeing 737 service links Khajuraho with Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Kathmandu.
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, Kolkata, Chennai, Agra and Varanasi.
Road: Khajuraho is connected by regular bus services with Mahoba, Harpalpur, Satna, Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra, Jabalpur and Bhopal.