Khajuraho Group of Monuments

Facts:

1. It was built in 950-1050 CE
2. It was built by Rajput Chandela Kings
3. It took about 100 years to build the temples
4. The group of monuments is located in Madhya Pradesh
5. Both Hindu and Jain sculptures are present there, an important example of secularism in Ancient India
6. It is made up of Granite and Sandstone in shades of pink and pale yellow.
7. It is built in Nagara Style.

What is The Entry Fees :

1. Indian citizens are charged Rs. 30
2. Foreigner nationals are charged Rs. 500
3. Children up to 15 years of age have free entry.

What is The Museum Timings

It opens at 8 am till 5 pm and remains closed on Fridays. If you are one of the tourists from SAARC and BIMSTEC, you would be charged only Rs. 30/head.

The Beauty of Khajuraho

A civilisational marvel, display of vibrant culture, and an aesthetic model, the Khajuraho Group of Monuments seems like a canvas made out of soil spread on wooden blocks in the purest form.

The structure and sculpture along with the marvellous carvings on the walls depicting everyday life, including sexuality in the form of maithun paintings fit in the human emotions and sensibilities quite remarkably.

The temple was built around 950-1050 CE by the Rajput Chandela Kings. They are one of the most important testimony of the influence of art in Indian Ancient History. The temple boasts of holding both Hindu and Jain temples, showcasing how secular principles and ethos were still present in the older times.

Originally a collection of 85 temples, the number has come down to 25. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple complex is divided into three spheres: the Western, Eastern, and the Southern. The Western group consists of majority of temples, the Eastern comprises carved Jain temples while the Southern group has only a few temples.

The Jain temples in the Eastern Group of temples were built for the flourishing Jainism in the region during the Chandela rule. The temples in the Western and Southern part are dedicated to various Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Eight temples amongst these are dedicated to Vishnu, six to Shiva, and one each to Ganesha and Surya while three are for Jain Tirthankaras. The Kandariya Mahadeo temple is the largest of all the temples that remain.

Khajuraho – An overview :

Khajuraho as nomenclature is basically a confluence of two Sanskrit words: “Khajur” meaning the date palm as we call it in Hindi, and “Vahaka” meaning “the bearer”. 

The temple on a whole is categorized into three, depending on their orientation: The Eastern Group of Temples, The Western Group of Temples, as well as the Southern Group of Temples. While 6 and 8 temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu respectively, 3 are dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras, while one is dedicated to Sun God and Lord Ganesha each. The largest among the lot is that dedicated to Lord Shiva – the Kandariya Mahadeo Temple. This thus makes Khajuraho one of the four holy sites dedicated to Lord Shiva in India, the other being those in Kedarnath, Gaya, and Kashi.

Art and Sculpture

The most talked about attraction on the whole of Khajuraho is the beautifully intricate carvings on the outer walls of the temple. The sculptures are inspired not only by the various kinds of literature including the Vedas, but it also is a depiction of daily life activities. The sculptures are in accordance with Shilpa Shastra.

The theme that runs through the carvings is from the four pursuits of life, namely the Artha, Kama, Moksha and Dharma.

Why is Mithuna – the erotic sculptures, part of Khajuraho Group of Temples?

Khajuraho temples, as the popular notion goes, isn’t the only group of temples depicting the erotic mithunas and nude sculptures. These carvings have been a part of the Ajanta Paintings which date way back to the 2nd Century BCE to the times of Virupaksha from the Vijayanagar and Lingaraj Temples in Bhubaneswar in Orissa.

The important thing to note here is that most temples, including the Khajuraho, have only about 10% of the sculptures and designs depicting this part of human life. Moreover, since the Khajuraho group is mostly a depiction of the happenings of daily life, secular values and sexuality form a major part of it.

Way to Reach the Temple :

When should you visit Khajuraho?

The best time to visit Khajuraho would be in between October to February to escape the scorching heat. However, in case you are more culturally inclined, then you can visit the temples during the annual Khajuraho Dance Festival. Booking hotels before the trip would be better.