FACTS
& FIGURES
Population : 6,541
Languages : Hindi and English
Best Time to Visit : October to March
STD Codes : 07686
 LOCATION
Khajuraho is located in the forested plains of
the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh in the region
known as Bundelkhand. The place is at a considerable
distance from most cities and town centers of the state.
CLIMATE
The climate of Khajuraho is of an extreme
type. The summers are hot with the mercury climbing
up to 47°C. On the other hand, winters can be very
cold with temperature dipping down to 4°C. The monsoon
starts from the month of July and lasts until September.
The annual average rainfall is 114 cm.
HISTORY AND MYTHOLOGY
The beautiful temples that dot the town
of Khajuraho are believed to have been built by the
mighty Chandela rulers in 9th and 10th century AD. The
engravings on these temples are highly sensual and erotic
and much has already been discussed their symbolic importance.
Tantricism and the Shakti cult, where the pancha makaras
(five tenets), namely, matsya (fish), madira (wine),
maithun (sexual activity), mamsa (meat), and mudra (gesture)
were to release the human spirit from the bondage of
the flesh, have been described as the possible explanations
for the sculptural sensuality of Khajuraho.
Out of 85 temples, only 20 have survived the ravages
of time. Made of sandstone blocks fitted together, the
temples are aligned east-west. For convenience, these
may be divided into western, eastern, and southern groups
of temples.
SITES TO VISIT
Architecturally, the temples of Khajuraho
followed a three- or five-part floor plan. The larger
temples have an ardhamandapa (porch), then a mandapa
(hall) leading to a mahamandapa (main hall) from where
an aunterale (vestibule) led into the Garbha Griha (sanctum)
containing the devta (god) or devi (goddess). An enclosed
pradakshinapathar (corridor or verandah) runs around
this sanctum.
In the smaller temples, the second and the last feature
were omitted. Each component of the temple was topped
by pyramid-shaped towers leading in ascending order
like a series of mountain peaks to the soaring shikhara
(tower).
The ornate vertical elements are balanced by horizontal
bands of sculpture running round the temple; superb
in execution and seeming to grow out of the temple itself,
they merge beautifully with the overall design.
Western Group of Temples
The Kandariya Mahadeo is considered
the most evolved example of central Indian temple architecture.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is also the largest
of Khajuraho's temples.
The Lakshmana Temple is one of the oldest and finest
of the western group of temples. The temple is rather
big with four other shrines attached to it. Although
the general norm in other temples is three bands of
sculpture, this temple has only two. Recurrent themes
are battles, hunting, and women.
The temple of Devi Jagdamba is considered by many to
be one of the most erotic temples of Khajuraho. The
temple houses Khajuraho's most talked-about image, mithuna,
and the sensuously carved figures. It is not clear until
today as to which deity this temple is dedicated.
The temple of Vishvanath and Nandi celebrates the
marriage of Lord Shiva with Parvati. The way women have
been depicted in this temple draw the most attention.
From traditional images of women fondling babies and
writing letters, they are seen also as the most provocative
of images.
Chaunsat Yogini is the oldest of the surviving temples
of Khajuraho. This temple is dedicated to goddesses
Kali. This is the only temple in Khajuraho that is built
in granite. The name chaunsat (sixty-four) comes from
the cells of 64 attendants of Goddess Kali. Goddess
Kali herself was the 65th one.
Other important temples in the western group are the
temples of Lakshmi and Varaha, Mahadev, Chitragupta,
Parvati, and Matangesvara.
Eastern Group of Temples
The temple of Parsvanath is the largest
of the Jain temples in Khajuraho and the finest. The
temple was originally dedicated to Adinath and latter
to Parsvanath. It is the finest example of the sensitive
art without any sexual motifs. Near this temple is the
temple of Adinath with fine carvings. The temple is
quite similar to the Hindu temples of Khajuraho.
Shantinath is the youngest of all the temples in Khajuraho.
Though it looks like the most other temples in Khajuraho,
it is just a century old. The temple has a four and
a half meter statue of Adinath.
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.
One of the oldest temples in Khajuraho is the temple
of Brahma and Hanuman. The temple is built mostly of
granite and sandstone. Actually, this temple is dedicated
to Lord Vishnu. Nearby is a Hanuman temple reputed to
have the earliest inscription dating back to AD 922
on a 2½ -m statue.
Two other notable temples are Javari and Vamana temple.
The Southern Group
There are only two temples in the southern
group of temples. The Duladeo is somewhat new and built
in a time when the creativity of Khajuraho was well
down its peak. The temple has wooden structures that
take away its authenticity somewhat.
The other temple is of Chaturbhuja, pretty far from
the village. The temple has a 3-m-high statue of Vishnu.
Apart from the temples, another place that can be visited
here is the Archeological Museum. It has a very good
collection of sculpture, inscriptions, and architectural
objects.
SITES NEARBY
Dhubela Museum is 64 km away from Khajuraho.
Located on the bank of a lake, the museum houses a wide
variety of sculpture of the Shakti cult. There are different
sections on garments, weapons, and paintings.
Benisagar Lake is a tourist spot around 7 km away from
Khajuraho. There is a dam on Khudar River and is an
ideal place for boating and angling.
Panna is a historical city and was the capital of Bundela
kingdom. Panna has one of the most famous diamond mines
of the world and is around 56 km from Khajuraho. There
is also the Panna National Park, spread over 546 km
and situated on the banks of Ken river. This is an ideal
place for wildlife watchers.
On the Ken River is Pandava Waterfall, 30 km from Khajuraho.
It is believed that the Pandavas spent a good part of
their exile here. Another waterfall, the Ranch, is situated
at a distance of 25 km from the Pandava Waterfall.
Ranguan Lake is 20 km from Khajuraho. This is a site
at the confluence of Ken and Simri rivers.
At the foot of Maniyagarh hills is Rajgarh Palace.
This palace is around 50 years old and 25 km away from
Khajuraho.
At a distance of 80 km is the Ajaygarh Fort, once the
capital of Chandelas in their declining years. It is
built at a height of 688 m. Another fort is Kalinjar,
located on the Vindhya Range at a distance of 100 km.
It was built during Gupta period and captured by Shri
Yashovarman, the Chandela king, in the 10th century.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
The most important festival of Khajuraho
is Mahashivratri. The festival marks Shiva's marriage
with Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas. The 2.5-m-tall
lingam of Kandariya Mahadeo temple is dressed as a bridegroom,
with white and saffron dhotis, and surmounted by a huge,
conical, silver paper crown. The nightlong ceremony
is performed by the chief priest's son who anoints the
lingam with water from the sacred rivers of India. The
chanting of hymns continues throughout the night, until
the Brahmins stand to throw bel leaves and flower petals
over the lingam, a sign that the wedding is complete.
Khajuraho festival of dance is organized every year
in the months of February/March. The cream of Indian
classical dancers performs here to display the best
of Indian dance and music. The floodlit temples of Khajuraho
provide the perfect backdrop to the festival.
SHOPPING
Many shops in Khajuraho sell souvenirs
and handicrafts made by the local artisans. There are
smaller stalls outside the temple gates where one can
pick up interesting souvenirs.
A weekly bazaar is held at Rajinagar on Tuesdays, 5
km from Khajuraho. The market is worth a visit to buy
silver goods and brassware.
WHERE TO STAY
Although a small village, the attractions
around it have compelled many hoteliers to set up their
shops. Accommodation is available in all categories
from premium to budget. Prior reservation is necessary
during the tourist season.
HOW TO REACH
By Air
A daily Boeing 737 of Alliance Air links Khajuraho
with Delhi, Agra, and Varanasi.
By Rail
The nearest railheads are Harpalpur (94 km)
and Mahoba (63 km). Country buses and tongas take you
to Khajuraho. The Shatabdi Express from Delhi to Bhopal
stops at Jhansi (172 km from Khajuraho). Satna, 117
km away, is convenient for travelers from Mumbai (Bombay),
Calcutta, and Varanasi. Taxis and buses are available
from here.
By Road
Direct bus services connect Khajuraho with
Panna, Satna, Chattarpur, Jabalpur, Mahoba, Bhopal,
Gwalior, and Indore.
For local transport, cycle rickshaws, tongas, and taxis
are available.
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