About Khajuraho - World Heritage Erotic Ancient Sculptures.

Khajuraho in INDIA - Madhaya Pradesh is an UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE, known for its ornate temples that are spectacular piece of human imagination, artistic creativity, magnificent architectural work and deriving spiritual peace through eroticism. 

(KHAJURAHO_Erotic_Most_famous_Sculpture)

Khajuraho Tourist Guide: Rates & Date

Package Inclusion:

• 2 Nights Accomodation
• 2 Breakfast
• Ac vehicle for 3 days
• All siteseeing
• Toll Taxes + Parking
• All Taxes

Khajuraho Tourist Guide: Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Khajuraho Local Tour

After breakfast you will visit local site seeing of khajuraho i.e. The temples of Khajuraho are one the finest examples of the central Indian style of temple architecture. Though these temples have gained popularity because of their erotic carvings, they are reflective of the traditional way of life of the Hindu society in the medieval period. Evening enjoy the light & sound show at Kandharia Temple. Overnight at Khajuraho.

Day 2: Khajuraho to Panna National  Park (45 km / 1 hour)

After breakfast you will procees for Panna National Park and after all siteseeing of panna national park, you will back to khajuraho. Overnight at Khajuraho.

Day 3: Khajuraho Airport Drop
Departure: Morning at leisure, you will be transferred to the Airport for your onward journey . The tour ends.

Hotels in Khajuraho

Hotel Isabel Palace

Radisson Jass Hotel

The Lalit temple View

Hotel Chandela Khajurao

Hotel Clarks Khajuraho

Hotel Usha Bundela 

History About Khajuraho Temples.

Khajuraho Temples are among THE MOST BEAUTIFUL medieval monuments in the country, built by the Chandella rulers between AD 900 and 1130. It was the golden period of Chandella rulers. It is presumed that it was every Chandella ruler has built atleast one temple in his lifetime. So all Khajuraho Temples are not constructed by any single Chandella ruler but Temple building was a tradition of Chandella rulers and followed by almost all rulers of Chandella dynasty. 

(Khajuraho - Famous artistic - Sex-carvings)
 

The first recorded mention of the Khajuraho temples is in the accounts of Abu Rihan al Biruni in AD 1022 and the Arab traveler Ibn Battuta in AD 1335. Local tradition lists 85 temples in Khajuraho out of which only 25 temples are surviving after various stages of preservation and care. All these temples are scattered over an area of about 9 square miles. 

(Khajuraho_famous_Horse)
 

Khajuraho is believed to be the religious capital of Chandellas. Chandella rulers had tried to discriminate politics from religious & cultural activities, so they established their political capital in Mahoba which is about 60km. away from Khajuraho and religious/cultural capital in Khajuraho. 

About Khajuraho Architecture

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

Southern Group of temples

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 . 

(Dulhadev Temple)

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.

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.

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. 

(Kandariya Mahadeva Temple)

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).

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.

(Chitragupta Temple)

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.

(Lakshmana Temple)

Khajuraho lakshamana Temple

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.