Khajuraho is the most visited tourist destination of India after Taj Mahal. Tourists from all over the world come to Khajuraho to explore the Temples of Love. No doubt, India has innumerable temples but the Khajuraho Temples are unique and of the only kind. The world renowned place Khajuraho is a small village in Madhya Pradesh surrounded by forestland with around 3000 inhabitants. Large number of tourists coming to Khajuraho every year from India and abroad has lead opening of number of restaurants, souvenir shops and hotels.
The temple city of Khajuraho is very much different from the other temple cities of India. Khajuraho Temples unlike other temples are not famous for religious activities but for eroticism etched on its walls in the form of sculptures.
The Temples of Khajuraho were built over a span of 200 years during the rule of Chandelas from 10th century to 12th century. Khajuraho was the cultural capital of Chandelas while Kalinjar served as their political capital. Chandela Kings never used to live in their cultural capital, that’s why there are no forts in Khajuraho. The whole area of temples was enclosed by a wall with eight gates, each gate guarded with two palm trees. As per the archeologists, there were 80 temples out of which only 25 could stand the rough weather and other conditions over the long years.
The symbol of a warrior fighting with a lion bare handed on the temples of Khajuraho is the depiction of the brave warrior king, head of the Chandela Rajputs who built these temples in Khajuraho. There is legend behind the Temples of Khajuraho, a unique mixture of science and art of architecture. As per the legend, in the fit of passion and lust, Moon God ravaged Hemvati, beautiful daughter of a Brahmin Hemraj. Distressed Hemvati, who was a child widow, went to Khajuraho to give birth to the valiant son of Moon, Chandravarman. Akin to his father, Chandravarman was lusturous, brave and strong. At the age of 16 only, he could kill the lions with bare hands. As per his mother’s wish Chandravarman started building the splendid temples of Khajuraho. He also performed the Bhandya Yagya, a religious ceremony, to expunge his mother of her guilt.
Khajuraho temples built in Nagara style of architecture belong to Shivaism and Vaishnavism sects of Hinduism, Jainism and Tantrism. The walled sculptures depict various deities, their attendants, celestial maidens in sensuous and provocative postures, embracing couples some of which are in erotic sexual positions, dancers and musicians along with couples engaged in courtly love. It is said each temple supports more than 650 figures ranging from sensual to explicit sexual activities.
By the time last temple of Khajuraho was completed, Chandela dynasty had lost its glory. Though the temples of Khajuraho were destructed to a great extent by early Muslim invaders, the temples of Khajuraho serve as a live example of Indian architecture. The architecture of Khajuraho Temples depicts the traditional way of sexual life during the medieval times. The local villagers regularly used the Khajuraho temples since the time they were constructed and maintained the temples to the best of their capabilities. British engineer, T.S. Burt rediscovered the Khajuraho temples in 19th century and the Khajuraho temples were brought into limelight as a wonderful example of unique art of Indian architecture.
Location of Khajuraho: Khajuraho is located in the State of Madhya Pradesh and is 595 kms from Delhi. The small village of Khajuraho famous for its temple is now well connected with other parts of the world through a good network of roadways, railways and airways.
