Common Architecture of All Khajuraho temples
As these are monuments of two distinct religions, Hinduism and Jainism, Khajuraho temples are distinguished by a common Architecture, all temples have an elevated substructure, above is decorated building, the 'jangha' covered with several registers of sculpted panels and then crowned by a series of towers with curvilinear contours, the Sikhars.
Whole Khajuraho was enclosed by a wall with about 8 gates used for entry/exit. It is believed that each gate is flanked by two date/palm trees. Due to these date trees present Khajuraho get its name Khajura-vahika. In hindi language, “Khajura” means ‘Date’ and “Vahika” means ‘Bearing’. In history Khajuraho is also described with the name of Jejakbhukti.
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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.
Dulhadev Temple
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.The sanctum of the temple has a beautiful Shivalinga.The name is derived from a belief that Lord Shiva worshipped here as a bridegroom.Its sanctum has no pradakshina. The temple consists of sanctum, vestibule, maha mandapa and porch. The important feature of maha mandapa is that a large octagonal show 20 apsara brackets abutting against circular ceiling. Sculptures are of dancing apsaras, battle scenes, elephants,horses and flying vidyadharas .
Chattarbhuj Temple Or The Jatkari Temple
Located in nearby village of Jatkara,this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple has a carved image of 9 ft high, four armed Lord Vishnu. The temple also houses another incarnation of Vishnu known as the Narasimha avatar and a Shiva's incarnation Ardhanarishvara.
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
Khajuraho distance from Major Cities
Khajuraho distance from Jabalpur | 235 Km |
Khajuraho distance from Bhopal | 385Km |
Khajuraho distance from Delhi | 670 Km |
Khajuraho distance from Mumbai | 1200Km |
Khajuraho distance from Banglore | 1622Km |
Khajuraho distance from Gwalior | 278 Km |
Khajuraho distance from Indore | 550Km |
Khajuraho distance from Jhansi | 180Km |
Khajuraho distance from Varanasi | 400 Km |
How to reach Khajuraho
Khajuraho By Air :- Khajuraho Airport, located at a distance of around 5 km from the heart of the city, is the nearest airport to the place. Leading National air carriers like Air India,JetAirways fly to Khajuraho Airport.
Air India flies 4 times a week from Delhi to Khajuraho via Varanasi.Jet Airways, Spicejet flies daily from Delhi to Khajurao.
Khajuraho By Train:- There are regular trains from Delhi and Mumbai to Khajuraho. Major trains are listed below
From Delhi:-
Uttar Pradesh Sampark Kranti Express:- Runs from Hazrat Nizamuddin runs 6 days a week to Khajuraho.
Khajuraho From Mumbai :-
Tulsi Express:-This train runs from LTT Kurla up to Mahoba from where there are regular trains to Khajurah.
Pushpak Express:- This trains runs from CST station .
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
Common Architecture of All Khajuraho temples
As these are monuments of two distinct religions, Hinduism and Jainism, Khajuraho temples are distinguished by a common Architecture, all temples have an elevated substructure, above is decorated building, the 'jangha' covered with several registers of sculpted panels and then crowned by a series of towers with curvilinear contours, the Sikhars.
Whole Khajuraho was enclosed by a wall with about 8 gates used for entry/exit. It is believed that each gate is flanked by two date/palm trees. Due to these date trees present Khajuraho get its name Khajura-vahika. In hindi language, “Khajura” means ‘Date’ and “Vahika” means ‘Bearing’. In history Khajuraho is also described with the name of Jejakbhukti.