Khajuraho Temples (Madhya Pradesh)

Location: Chhatarpur, MP                                 Deity: Lord vishnu                                               Buitt By: Chandella ruler between AD 900 and 1130.                                                  
Famous for: Nagara style architecture and erotic sculptures.

The famous Khajuraho Temples of Madhya Pradesh (MP) designated as UNESCO world Heritage site in 1956 is located in Chhatarpur district. The Temple are considered among the finest examples of Indian temple art.

( The Map of the Khajuraho Temples )

History: The Khajuraho group of temples built in Nagara style arechitecture between the 10th and 12th centuries. The region was then under the Chandella dynasty. They were initially feudatories of Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, which ruled much of 
Northen India. From their capital . The chandellas ruled much of Bundelkhand (Present day). They gave royal patronage to art and architecture, a number of temples, water bodies, forts. Most of the temples were built by kings Dhangadeva and Yashovarman. The temples were named after the palm trees that used to be the gates back in the day. The temples are majarly known their erotic sculptures and carvings and are a part of the core beliefs the four tenets of Hinduism: karma , Dharma, Kama, Moksha. 

Architecture: As you know the temples follow the design of Nagara style architecture are made out of sandstone and granites. All temples are Sun - facing , a common asthetic found in Hindu temples. The shrines at Khajuraho follow the vastu- Purusha - Mandala design plan. Highly ornate carvings adorn the walls, pillars, ceilings of these temples. Several panels and scluptures in these temples have inscriptions. The Khajuraho Temples feature a variety of art work, of which 10% is sexual art outside and inside the temples. Some scolars suggest these to be tantric sexual practices but some other state that these are part of Hindu tradition of treating 'Kama' as an essential part of the human life.





( Chausath yogini temple )
            ( carvings of Musicians on wall )
                   ( Scluptures on the wall )
        ( Carving of the Apsara on the wall )
     ( Sculptures inside the temple's wall )
                   ( Erotic scluptures pic.1 )
                                (  Pic .2 )
        (  God & Goddess , erotic sculptures )
How to reach: 
By air:  There are a few flights to Khajuraho from Delhi airport. Taxis are easily available from outside the airport.
By train: Khajuraho has it's own railway station. There is a regular train from Delhi to Khajuraho called the Khajuraho- Hazrat Nizamuddin express.
Timing of the temple: All day 7am. to 6 pm.


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