In
the temple architecture of India, the Khajuraho complex remains
unique. One thousand years ago, under the generous and artistic
patronage of the Chandela Rajput kings of Central India, 85 temples,
magnificent in form and richly carved, came up on one site, near the
village of Khajuraho. The amazingly short span of 100 years, from
950 AD - 1050 AD, saw the completion of all the temples, in an
inspired burst of creativity. Today, of the original 85, only 22
have survived the ravages of time; these remain as a collective
paean to life, to joy and to creativity; to the ultimate fusion of
man with his creator.
Why did the Chandelas choose
Khajuraho or Khajirvahila - garden of dates, as it was known then -
as the site for their stupendous creations ? Even in those days it
was no more than a small village. It is possible given the eclectic
patronage of the Chandelas and the wide variety of beliefs
represented in the temples, that they had the concept of forming a
seat of religion and learning at Khajuraho. It is possible that the
Chandelas were also believers in the powers of Tantrism; the cult
which believes that the gratification of earthly desires is a step
closer to the attainment of the infinite. It is certain however,
that the temples represent the expression of a highly matured
civilization.
Yet another theory is that the erotica
of Khajuraho, and indeed of other temples, had a specific purpose.
In those days when boys lived in hermitages, following the Hindu law
of being "brahmacharis" until they attained manhood, the
only way they could prepare themselves for the worldly role of
'householder' was through the study of these sculptures and the
earthly passions they depicted.
Temples in
Khajuraho
- Chitragupt Temple
- Vishwanath Temple
- Lakshmana Temple
- Devi Jagadamba Temple
- Ghantai Temple
- Adinath Temple
- Chaturbhuj Temple
- Duladeo Temple
How to Reach
- By Air
A daily Boeing 737 of Alliance Air links
Khajuraho with Delhi, Agra, and Varanasi.
- By Rail
The nearest railheads are Harpalpur (94
km) and Mahoba (63 km). Country buses and tongas take you to
Khajuraho. The Shatabdi Express from Delhi to Bhopal stops at
Jhansi (172 km from Khajuraho). Satna, 117 km away, is
convenient for travelers from Mumbai (Bombay), Calcutta, and
Varanasi. Taxis and buses are available from here.
- By Road
Direct bus services connect Khajuraho
with Panna, Satna, Chattarpur, Jabalpur, Mahoba, Bhopal,
Gwalior, and Indore.
