Places to see in Khajuraho:-

 Khajuraho Temples - UNESCO World heritage Site

 A UNESCO world Heritage site, Khajuraho  is Known as ONE OF THE SEVEN wonders of India, It is famous for Hindu & Jain Temples, these temples are made of sandstone.the stones were held with mortise and tenon joints together.

Total of 85 khajuraho temples were built during the Chandela dynasty rule between 950 and 1130 of which around  25 remains now and are preserved by Arachaeological department. 

Khajuraho temples are clubbed in to three groups geographically:

1.Western Khajuraho temples

2.Eastern Khajuraho temples

3. Southern Khajuraho temples

About Khajuraho - Western Group Temples

Kandariya Mahadev Temple

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is largest among western group of temples. It was built by Chandela King Vidydhar. The temple derives its name from Kandara meaning cave in english and Mahadev another name for Lord Shiva. Its shikhara(spire) rises about 30m (100 feet) above the platform which it shares with the older Devi Jagadambi temple depicting Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Mahadev in Himalayas and is surrounded by 84 Urushringaras, the smaller spires erected against the Shikhara. 

Kahjuraho Kendriya mahadev mandir photo

The exterior has over 900 sculptures carved into sandstone stacked without mortar. The  carved exterior contrasts with the sanctum  that houses a Shiva lingam in the womb of the temple located beneath the main 'shikhara' (spire).

Devi Jagdambi Temple

Believed to be older then Kandariya Mahadev temple, it is built on the same platform as  Kandariya Mahadev .Devi Jagdambi temple was dedicated to Lord Vishnu originally. But now it enshrines the image of Goddess Parvati in Sanctum painted in black to give appearnce of Jagdambi(Kali).

Devi Jagadmbi temple Khajuraho

At the entrance,there is sculpture of a warrior fighting bare handed with a Lion , the  symbol of  Chandela Dynasty.

Chitragupta Temple

Dedicated to Lord Surya, Chitragupta Temple has  5 ft image of Lord Surya driving  a chariot of Seven hourses.

Facing eastwards towards the rising sun, It is the place where most of the dance performances take place during the famous Annual Khajuraho dance festival.There is a Chopra Tank, a deep three-storeyed stepped well that was built by the Chandelas  which is around 200 yards from the temple Chitragupta . It is believed that there was a temple in the middle of the tank.The tank however is now in dillipidated state.

Lakshmana Temple

Built by King Yasovarman,Lakshmana temple is  the second largest , the most beautiful and is considered to be one of the oldest of all Khajuraho temples.

Main temple is built on a high platform surrounded by 4 subsidiary shrines which are intact. It is the only Panchayatan temple   which is fully intact. Temple entry has an elegant Makara Torana.The lintel over entrance has a figure of trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva with Goddess Lakshmi.

There are 3 bands of sculptures on outer walls as well as inner walls. Its sanctum has pradakshina. Sanctum doorway has carvings of lions, Vishnu animal incarnations of fish, tortoise, boar and nava grahas and sagar manthan. Sanctum has 3 headed idol of Vishnu's incarnations including himself, Narsimha and Varaha. 

Matangeshwar Temple

Located outside the premises of Western group of temples,It is the only temple where pooja and other religious ceremonies are performed. The temple has 8 feet long shiva lingam.

Chausath Yogini

The only granite temple in the Khajuraho,the very first temple in Khajuraho, Chausath Yogini Temple is dedicated to the 64 yoginis The temple had 67 shrines (out of those around 35 survive). These shrines were considered to be the many manifestation of the goddess Shakti.Regarded to be a 9th millennium monument, this temple is in a dilipidated  situation 

Varaha temple

Located in front of Lakshmana temple, it is one of the oldest and smallest temple.Temple has an statue of Standing Varaha(Boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu) which measures 2.6 metres long and 1.7 metre high and is made of sandstone. The temple strutcure rests on 14  pillars that supports pyramidal roof and a Kalash on top.

Nandi Temple

This temple is dedicated to Nandi bull which serves as Vahna of Lord Shiva.

Light and Sound Show at Western group of temples 

There is a Sound and Light show organised by Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Board every evening, History of Great Chandela Kings and of Khajuraho temples is narrated in the barritone of Bollywood Amitabh Bhachchan. Entry ticket Rs. 120/- for Indians and Rs. 300/- for foreigners.Two shows are held daily, provided it isn’t raining,  there’s a minimum of ten people for the show. The first show, in English, is at 7.30 PM; the second show, in Hindi, is at 8.30 PM.

There is an entry charges of $US 5 for the western group of temples for foreigners and INR 10 for Indians.

Eastern Group Temples

The largest Jain Temple in India Parsavnath Temple

Parsavnath temple is the largest Jain temple in India built in the honour of Adinath,the first Jain tirthankar. The temple houses an idol of Parsavnath.One of the surprising characteristic of this Khajuraho temple is that it doea not have erotic sculptures as are ubiquitous in other temples in Khajuraho. There are many non erotic sculptures  of Surasundaris depicting many postures which visitors watch spellbound.

Ghantai Temple

One of the major Jain temple, Ghantai temple has played a significant role in the development of Jainism in India.The Ghantai temple is locally so called due to chain-and-bell (ghanta) motifs,  carved on its pillars. Once this temple was of the same design as the Parsvanath temple,  grandeur in conception and almost twice as large in dimensions. The carvings etched on the main beam, on top of the door include  the sixteen auspicious signs seen in a dream by Lord Mahavira's mother and has a multi-armed Jain goddess hovering on a winged Garuda.

Adinath Temple

Located to  the north of the Parsvanath temple,Adinath temple is dedicated to Jain saint Adinath. The temple is constructed in the form of 'sapta-ratha' .The walls are adorned with beautifully carved figures including that of Yakshis and court dancer Nilanjana, a famous dancer in the court of Lord Adinath.

Other famous temples of Eastern group includemple,Brahma te Vamana Temple,Hanuman Temple and Javari Temple.

Other famous places to visit in Khajuraho

Annual Khajuraho dance Festival

Annual Khajuraho Dance Festival is organized  every year in the month of February by the Kala Parishad under the Madhya Pradesh government. The festival is one of India's oldest and most well known cultural events -- it's been running since 1975.Famous Classical Dancers from all over India performs during this festival. The aim of organizing this event is to promote cultural heritage and traditional dances of India. The Khajuraho Dance Festival is internationally recognized by international dancers and academies. Dancers from abroad also perform during this week long festival .Live performances of classical dances like Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Manipuri and Mohniattam are the major attractions of this dance festival.The dances are performed in an open-air auditorium  mainly at the Chitragupta Temple and the Vishwanatha Temple.  Apart from dance, there will be traditional arts and crafts by locals on display.

State Museum of Tribal and Folk art

State Museum of Tribal and Folk Art is situated in  Chandela Cultural Complex in Khajuraho.A huge collection of tribal and folk art and artefacts is available .More that 500 representative items of wood crafts, jewellery, tribal and folk paintings, tattoos and metal crafts are on display in the museum.

Ajaigarh Fort

Ajaigarh fort is in Panna district and is around 80 kms from Khajuraho and is situated on Vindhya hill.There are two  tanks carved out in rocks named after famous Indian rivers Ganga and Yamuna. There is Chandela temple and 3 ruined Jain temples inside the fort.

Kalinjar Fort

Kalinjar fort is located in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh around 120 km from Khajuraho.The fort is located at an elevation of 1200 feet overlooking the plains of Bundelkhand.

Famous temple of temple Neelkanth Mahadev is located inside fort premises.The shiva lingam here is made up of darke-blue stone of height around 1.5  and has three eyes.There is  sculpture of Kala-Bhairava, about 24m in height and 17 feet broad. The figure has 18 arms, and is ornamented with the usual garland of skulls, with snakes earrings and snakes armlets and the skeleton goddess Kali 1.5 in height.

Other notable places in and around Khajuraho are

•  Panna National Park
•  Benisagar Lake
•  Pandava Waterfall
•  Ken Nature Trail

Best time to Visit Khajuraho 

The best time to visit Khajuraho is between September and March as winters are quite pleasant with average temperature around 15 degrees.Also world  famous Khajuraho dance festival is held in February- March.

Hotels in Khajuraho

Hotel Isabel Palace

Radisson Jass Hotel

The Lalit temple View

Hotel Chandela Khajurao

Hotel Clarks Khajuraho

Hotel Usha Bundela