Khajuraho,the exuberance of Indian spirit represents
a paean to life love, to joy-perfect in execution and
sublime in expression. The Khajuraho temples are internationally
famous for the erotic sculptures that adorn the walls.
Life in every form and mood, has been captured in stone,
testifying not only to the craftsman’s artistry
but also to the extraordinary breadth of vision of the
Chandela Rajputs under whose rule the temples were conceived
and constructed
The most prominent structure at Khajuraho is the Kandariya
Mahadeo temple, which is the largest soars 31 km high,
dedicated to Lord Shiva, the sanctum enshrines a lingam(
a phallic symbol, a symbol of energy, fertility and
potency).
The amorous couples are most sensuously depicted in
the Chaunsath Yogini temple, the only granite temple
and the earliest surviving shrine of the group (900
A.D), is dedicated to goddess Kali.
Facing eastwards to the rising sum , Chitragupta temple
is dedicated to the Sun God Surya . The image of the
deity in the inner sanctum is particularly imposing;
five feet high and driving a horse drawn chariot.
A three headed image of Brahma is enshrined in Vishwanath
Temple. The approach is equally impressive, with lions
flaking the northern and elephants the southern steps
that lead up to it.
The lintel over the entrance of beautiful Lakshman Temple
shows the trinity of Lords Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva,
with Lakshmi, Vishnu’s consort. The finely carved
sanctum has a three-headed idol of Vishnu’s incarnations,
Narasimha and Varaha.
Western Group of Temples
The most prominent structure at Khajuraho is the Kandariya
Mahadeo temple, which is the largest soars 31 km high,
dedicated to Lord Shiva, the sanctum enshrines a lingam(
a phallic symbol, a symbol of energy, fertility and
potency).
Eastern Group of Theademples
The temples in this group can be subdivided into two
one being a cluster of Jain temples and another scattered
through the small village
Parsvanath Temple is the largest in this group. The
temple was initially dedicated to Adinath but the statue
was replaced by that of Parsavanath in 1860 A.D.
The Jain temple, Gantai temple, has a frieze, which
depicts the 16 dreams of Mahavira’s mother and
a Jain goddess on a winged Garuda.
Dedicated to the Jain saint Adinath, Adinath Temple
is lavishly embellished with sculpted figures, including
Yakshis. The three Hindu temples of the group are the
Brahma containing a four-faced linga; the Vamana, which
is adorned on its outer walls with carvings of Apsaras
in a variety of sensuous attitudes; and the Javari,
with a richly carved gateway and exterior sculptors.
Southern Group
This comprises only two temples. A track running south
from Jain enclosures reaches the first called Duladeo
Temple. It is among the latest built temples at Khajuraho,
more accurate, finer and equally graceful, with figures
of Mithuna (sexual intercourse) and women in various
poses. The other temple is Chaturbhuj Temple which has
a three meter image of Vishnu.
General Information:
By Air: Regular services link Khajuraho
with Delhi, Agra, and Varanasi.
By Rail: The nearest railheads are
Harpalpur (94 Km) and Mahoba (61 Km). Jhansi (172 Km)
is a convenient railhead for those traveling from Delhi
and Chennai; Satna (117 Km), on the Mumbai-Allahabad
line of the Central Railway for those coming from Mumbai,
Kolkata and Varanasi.
By Road: Khajuraho is connected
by regular buses with Satna, Harpalpur, Jhansi and Mahoba.
Best Season: July to March.
India
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