Khajuraho – temples of love

Location:

Khajuraho is a small village located in the Madhya Pradesh state of India. The village is famous for the various temples located in the village. It is located at a distance of around 626 km to the east of the Delhi city. The temples of Khajuraho took around hundred yeas from 950-1050 AD for its construction. The temples were constructed during Chandela reign. The temple’s exterior are carved with the sculptures depicting the physical splendor of woman and man. The demonstrations of the pure poetries that are derivatives of the thought are found nowhere apart from the Khajuraho temples. The most flourishing capital of the reign, Khajuraho was the most glorious place between the 10th and the 12th century. The beautifully carved temples of Khajuraho are the major tourist attractions. Orginally there were around 80 temples but till date only about 22 temples have survived. The sensuous pictures of women and men attract the overwhelming tourists. In the year 1986, Khajuraho’s temple were declared as a World heritage site by UNESCO.

Structure:

The whole Khajuraho temple is enclosed in a wall that has around eight gates which are surrounded by a golden colored palm trees. An area around 8 sq.miles is been covered by the 22 Hindu temples. The decoration of the temple has a unique combination of religious as well as sensuous images. At a point of time the temples became a ruin. The Khajuraho temples were again discovered in the early 20th century. The 22 Khajuraho temples are groups into three main groups; they are the southern group of temples, the eastern group of temples and the western group of temples.

The Southern Group of Temples:

Chaturbhuj and Dhuladeo temples are the part of the Southern Group of Temples. The Dhuladeo temple is located at a distance of about one kilometer towards the south direction of the Khajuraho village and also nearly a mile towards the south west direction of the Jain temples. The Chaturbhuj temple is located at a distance of one mile towards the south of the village. Chaturbhuj temple is located very near to Khajuraho airport.

The Eastern Group of Temples:

The temples that come under the eastern group of temples are located very near to the Khajuraho village. This group of temple comprises of total six temples out of which three temples are Hindu temples where as the remaining three are the Jain temples. The temple of Javari, Brahma and Vamana are the Hindu temple, while the temple of Ghantai, Adinath and Parsvanath are the Jain temples.

The Western Group of Temples:

The western group is located at the chief entrance gate of the Khajuraho temples. Here the temples are place into 2 different rows. One complex of the temples is formed by the Matangesvara, the Varaha and the Laxama temples while the other complex is formed by the Visvanatha and Nandi temples which are located very close by. These temples form an uneven row of temples from north to south. The temples of Kandariya Mahadeva, Chitragupta and Jagadambi form a regular towards the west. The temples of this group face the east direction. The Archaeological Survey of India is responsible for the maintenance of the temples in the Western Group.

Architecture:

The construction of the Khajuraho temples is done with the circular superstructures. Some of the temples are devoted to the Jaina pantheon while the remaining temples are dedicated to the Brahmanical trio and also to the various Devis or goddesses. The designs of the temples have four small shrines that are placed at every curve of the major temple. Also, the most important shrine is placed on a stage at the heart of the temple. There is also a group of minor shikras that come together and outline the foundation of the major Shikhara over the chamber. These shikharas envelop from portal to chamber sanctorum going up in a pitch.

Few temples in the Temples of Khajuraho:

The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple:
The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is located to the western side of the Laxmana temple. It is the prevalent as well as the most striking temple among the 22 present day temples. The construction of the temple took around 25 years which was started in 1025 and came to an end in1050 AD. The height of temple is about 40 meters. This temple is devoted to the Lord Shiva and has a lingam placed inside the temple.

The Chounsath Yogini Temple:
The Chounsath Yogini Temple is located at the southwest region in the western group of temples. The temple is devoted to the 64 expression of the Mother Goddess. It is placed in the shape of tiny shrines, one for appearance of the heavenly Mother. The construction of the temple is supposed to by complete by the early 9th century. Also it is known as the oldest temple among the Khajuraho temples.

The Visvanatha Temple:
The Viswanatha temple lies in the northeast side of the western group of temples. It is stated that the temple belongs to 1,000 AD. The layout of the temple is quite alike to the Kandariya Mahadeva temple. On a little podium, mandapa is been located also it has graceful roof in a shape of a triangle; here a huge stone statute of Nandi, a bull is placed. Bull is known to be the vehicle of Lord Shiva.

How to reach:

Khajuraho is well connected with Delhi, daily a flight takes off from Delhi to Khajuraho. Khajuraho doesn’t have its personal railway station. Jansi and Satna is the nearest railway station from where you can take a taxi or a car and reach Khajuraho by traveling a distance of around 175 km and 120 km respectively. A good road routes’ network is found connecting Khajuraho with Agra on Delhi-Mumbai national highway.

When to go:

Khajuraho is a place which can be visited at any time of the year. But the time to visit the place is from October to the month of April. Try and make plans to visit Khajuraho around February, especially on the day of Makarsankranti which is the most important festival celebrated in Khajuraho.

Entrance fees:

Everyone who intends to visit the Khajuraho temple is required to pay Rs. 10 at the entrance booth. The entrance is free for everyone on every Friday.

Opening timings:

The temples of Khajuraho are open for the public visit throughout the year, from the early morning up to the sunset.

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