Khajuraho - Introduction
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.
The creators of Khajuraho claimed descent from the moon. The legend that describes the origin of this great dynasty is a fascinating one: Hemavati, the beautiful young daughter of a Brahmin priest was seduced by the moon god while bathing in the Rati one evening. The child born of this union between a mortal and a god was a son, Chandravarman. Harassed by society, the unwed mother sought refuge in the dense forest of Central India where she was both mother and guru to her young son. The boy grew up to found the great Chandela dynasty. When he was established as a ruler, he had a dream-visitation from his mother, who implored him to build temples that would reveal human passions, and in doing so bring about a realization of the emptiness of human desire. Chandravarman began the construction of the first of the temples, successive rulers added to the fast growing complex.
how-to-reach-khajuraho
By Car : Khajuraho city is very well connected by Jhansi, Orchha, Satna, Katni, Bandhavgarh, Chattarpur etc. Usually tourists arrive at Jhansi Railway Station by train and take taxi car to travel to Khajuraho, via Orchha or directly. From Jhansi, Khajuraho is just 200kms.04:00hrs. Similarly those who are arriving at Satna railway station can hire taxi from here to reach Khajuraho by road. Similarly those who want to reach Khajuraho from Bandhavgarh, they can travel by road via Katni-Pawai-Amanganj-Panna of 240km/05:00hrs.
By Train : Most important railway station for Khajuraho is Khajuraho Railway Station which is just 5km from Khajuraho Town. Their is direct train for Khajuraho Railway Station (UP Sampark Kranti Express) for Khajuraho. It is the only train, at present from New Delhi to Khajuraho.
Similarly those who wish to travel Khajuraho from Varanasi can now travel by Bundelkhand Link Express Train (1108A) which connects Khajuraho - Varanasi. Both are very much proposed in most of the proposed tour itineraries so with the introduction of this train, one can now travel more comfortably at low fare.
Those who are coming from Mumbai/Kolkata can reach Satna Railway Station to travel Khajuraho at a distance of 130kms/02:30hrs.
If you visit Khajuraho from Jaipur than DAYODAYA EXPRESS (2182) will be the most suitable train to reach Katni and then by taxi reach Khajuraho. Distance from Katni to Khajuraho is 180kms/04:00hrs.
Those who wish to travel Khajuraho from Agra, can take any train for Jhansi Railway Station and then drive through Taxi via-Orchha/directly to Khajuraho.
By Air : Khajuraho is having a domestic airport known as City Airport Khajuraho. It is located at 2 Km south of Khajuraho town. At present (as on 05/05/2010) flights from Delhi & Varanasi are operating for Khajuraho. Arrival/Departure are usually take place in afternoon for these two destinations. Work is going on to enhance the capabilities of Khajuraho Airport.
more information
Khajuraho images
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.
The creators of Khajuraho claimed descent from the moon. The legend that describes the origin of this great dynasty is a fascinating one: Hemavati, the beautiful young daughter of a Brahmin priest was seduced by the moon god while bathing in the Rati one evening. The child born of this union between a mortal and a god was a son, Chandravarman. Harassed by society, the unwed mother sought refuge in the dense forest of Central India where she was both mother and guru to her young son. The boy grew up to found the great Chandela dynasty. When he was established as a ruler, he had a dream-visitation from his mother, who implored him to build temples that would reveal human passions, and in doing so bring about a realization of the emptiness of human desire. Chandravarman began the construction of the first of the temples, successive rulers added to the fast growing complex.
how-to-reach-khajuraho
By Car : Khajuraho city is very well connected by Jhansi, Orchha, Satna, Katni, Bandhavgarh, Chattarpur etc. Usually tourists arrive at Jhansi Railway Station by train and take taxi car to travel to Khajuraho, via Orchha or directly. From Jhansi, Khajuraho is just 200kms.04:00hrs. Similarly those who are arriving at Satna railway station can hire taxi from here to reach Khajuraho by road. Similarly those who want to reach Khajuraho from Bandhavgarh, they can travel by road via Katni-Pawai-Amanganj-Panna of 240km/05:00hrs.
By Train : Most important railway station for Khajuraho is Khajuraho Railway Station which is just 5km from Khajuraho Town. Their is direct train for Khajuraho Railway Station (UP Sampark Kranti Express) for Khajuraho. It is the only train, at present from New Delhi to Khajuraho.
Similarly those who wish to travel Khajuraho from Varanasi can now travel by Bundelkhand Link Express Train (1108A) which connects Khajuraho - Varanasi. Both are very much proposed in most of the proposed tour itineraries so with the introduction of this train, one can now travel more comfortably at low fare.
Those who are coming from Mumbai/Kolkata can reach Satna Railway Station to travel Khajuraho at a distance of 130kms/02:30hrs.
If you visit Khajuraho from Jaipur than DAYODAYA EXPRESS (2182) will be the most suitable train to reach Katni and then by taxi reach Khajuraho. Distance from Katni to Khajuraho is 180kms/04:00hrs.
Those who wish to travel Khajuraho from Agra, can take any train for Jhansi Railway Station and then drive through Taxi via-Orchha/directly to Khajuraho.
By Air : Khajuraho is having a domestic airport known as City Airport Khajuraho. It is located at 2 Km south of Khajuraho town. At present (as on 05/05/2010) flights from Delhi & Varanasi are operating for Khajuraho. Arrival/Departure are usually take place in afternoon for these two destinations. Work is going on to enhance the capabilities of Khajuraho Airport.
more information
Khajuraho images
When to Go : Khajuraho is a small village in central India. From the village one can see the outcrops of the vindhyan range. The best time to visit khajuraho is during the months of October to march when the average temperature is between 90° and 40° Fahrenheit.
History
Madhya Pradesh is land of great antiquity. Madhya Pradesh is the home of monuments representative of various periods of history. Among most popular world heritage sites of Central India like Rock paintings, Buddhist Stupas and Temples, Khajuraho is known for its ornate temples that are spectacular piece of human imagination, artistic creativity, magnificent architectural work and deriving spiritual peace through eroticism.
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