Khajuraho Introduction

The Chandelas, the ambitious builders and great connoisseurs of atrs, embellished their cities and towns with palaces, pools, and temples, but the comples of sunshines at Khajuraho represents the climax, the best and most spectacular specimens of Hindu temple architecture and sculpture in medieval India. The capital of the Chandela Kings, Khajuraho is famous for its magnificent temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and the Jain Tirthankaras. These temples are built between 950 A.D. and 1050 A.D. The temples of Khajuraho represent some of the most exquisite specimens in medieval India, only 22 temples out of 85 now survive.

For many centuries after the Chandela dynasty's decline in the 13th century, the temples were concealed by dense jungles. Khajuraho was re-discovered by captain T.S. Burt, a British army engineer in 1838.

General information
 

How to get there

Air
Khajuraho is connected with Delhi and other major cities.

Rail
Jhansi (175 Km.) and Satna (117 Km.) are the two convinient railheads to visit Khajuraho from Bombay, Delhi & Madras. However Harpalpur (110 Km,) is the nearest railhead to visit Khajuraho.

Road
Khajuraho is connected with major tourist centres by good motorable roads. Some important distances from Khajuraho are: Agra (395 km), Allahabad (285 km), Bandhavgarh (237 km), Bhopal (372 km) Chitrakoot (176 km), Delhi (590 km), Jabalpur (296 km) Lucknow (267 km) and Varanasi (415 km) 

In and around

The temples of Khajuraho are divided into three geographical groups viz, Western, Eastern, and Southern groups.

Western Group of Temples
Chausath Yogini
One of the three granite temples in Khajuraho. Dedicated to Kali, it is also unique in being quadrangular. Only 35 of the original 65 cells remain and the image is the earliest surviving shrine

Kandariya Mahadeo
It is the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple. Perfectly symmetrical, it soars 31m high.

Devi Jagdamba Temple
Another Kali temple, originally dedicated to Vishnu.

Chitragupta Temple 
North of Devi Jagdamba temple and facing eastwards to the rising sun, dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. The idol, an imposing 5 feet in height, is driving a seven-horsed chariot.

Vishwanath Temple
The steps leading to the temple on the northern side are flanked by lions and on the southern side by elephants. There is a impressive three-headed image of Brahma inside.

Eastern Group of Temples 
Brahma Temple, Vamana Temple and Javari Temple
A double row of celestial nymphs adorn the outer wallsof the Vamana temple in a variety of sensuous attitudes. Granite was used in the construction of the Brahma temple.

Parsvanath Temple
The largest Jain temple in this group. Sculptures on the northern outer wall make this timeless, of a woman bending thoughtfully over a letter, a damsel removing a thorn from her foot.

Ghantai Temple
Bearing evidence of its original splendour, particularly arresting is a frieze depicting the dreams of Mahavir's mother and a multi armed Jain goddess riding on the winged Garuda.

Southern Group of Temples

Dulhadeo Temple
It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and shows women sporting around trees.

Chaturbhuj Temple
It has a massive intricately carved image of Vishnu.

Raneh falls 
19 km, on the Ken river are famous for their rock formations. The main attractions is a 5 km long, 100 foot deep canyon made of pure crystalline granite in varying shades of colours ranging from pink and red to grey.