Khajuraho Temple

The Khajuraho temples, located in Central India in the state of Madhya Pradesh are a unique group of temples signifying and elaborating the rich cultural heritage and architectural brilliance of Medieval India. These temples are famous for depicting the sexual positions and lovemaking techniques which show the sexual life of the medieval Indian times. These temples are the most visited heritage site in India after The Taj Mahal and are also included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

Khajuraho Temples were built over a period of 100 years by the Chandela Dynasty ruling over Central India during the medieval times. The temples were built between 950 AD and 1050 AD and out of the 85 temples built only 22 have been preserved by the Archeological Survey of India in good condition. They are spread over an area of 20 sq kms and are the largest group of Hindu, Jain and Shiva temples of medieval times. After the Chandela dynasty declined in the 13^th century, the temples were left covered under a heavy dense shade of date palm trees and the city later came to be known as Khajuraho. They were later rediscovered by a British Army Engineer, Captain T.S. Burt in 1838.

Khajuraho lies in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, district Chatarpur. The Vindhya range of mountains can be seen from Khajaraho. The climate of this region is varied and has a wide annual range of temperatures. The summers are very hot with temperatures touching 45 degrees Celsius while the winters are pleasant with 27 degrees. It is not advisable to visit during summers hence making the ideal time from September to March. There is not too much rainfall with 114 cms on an average in a year. 

The temples lie about 620 kms southeast of Delhi and have a wide connectivity by air, rail and road. The airport at Khajuraho is 5 kms from the city. The railway station at Khajuraho is well connected with major railway lines of India and a train named UP SAMPARK KRANTI is known to be the best connected and the fastest. Taxis and buses also provide fast commuting though taxis are preferred due to bad condition of buses and public transport.

For those of you who are festival lovers and love to indulge in cultural programs and heritage celebrations, Khajuraho offers a wide variety of options and opportunities to catch them. A week long dance festival is organized in late February or early March at the Chitragupta Temple Complex. All kinds of dance forms are known to be displayed and performed for the viewer’s pleasure in this amazing festival.

Exploring temples at Khajuraho is a very interesting task and a lot of medieval culture comes to the foresight while going through these magnificent pieces of architecture. The erotic sculptures display the land of Kama Sutra and the essence behind the importance of love and passion in Indian history. The temples are divided into 3 groups, the Western Group, Eastern group and Southern Group of temples. The Western group of Temples is the largest and richest group of temples. An entry fee of Rs. 10 for Indian tourists and US $5 for foreign tourists is charged and the temples are open from sunrise to sunset. There is also a sound and light show organized at the Western group of temples every evening which is narrated by Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan(recorded). The Eastern and Southern Groups are also worth watching and a wide variety of temples can be explored.

For all guide information, English speaking tourist guides are available at site and a lot of cafes and restaurants can be found ranging from reasonable to luxurious. A lot of people come here to meditate and perform yoga activities and to unwind. Also, only half an hour away from the temples is Panna National Park which is a good visit as well.