The Khajuraho Dance Festival is a cultural extravaganza. Celebrating Indian classical dance forms, it is one of the most-anticipated of festivals in India organized by the Kala Parishad of the Madhya Pradesh. The 7-day festival is held against the backdrop of the charming Khajuraho Temples and the upcoming one is to be held from the 20th to the 26th of February 2020.

Poetry in Stone- Khajuraho Group of Temples

Known for the masterpieces of erotic sculptures, The Khajuraho Group of Temples in Madhya Pradesh were built by the rulers of the Chandela Dynasty somewhere between 950 and 1050 AD. Out of the original 85 temples only 25 survive today.

Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India, the Khajuraho temples are a matchless treasure. The temple sculptures represent the importance of Kama, or sexual desires, as an important part of the human life. These temples also impart a universal lesson that beyond the worldly pleasures lies the divine. While the temples are outwardly carved with erotic masterpieces the inner sanctuaries are bare and without much adornment, symbolizing a visitor needs to leave behind worldly pleasures to enter divine bliss. Approximately only 10 percent are erotic sculptures rest depict scenes from mythological stories, and some scenes from the daily life of a common man.

Celebrating dance

Dance is a quintessential part of Indian culture and history and even Mythology. Lord Shiva worshipped as Nataraja, the God of Dance is a prominent icon of the holy Hindu texts. Shiva’s Tandava, known as the dance of destruction, Krishna’s Raas-Leela with his Gopis and the dances of the beautiful Apsaras, like Meneka and Urvashi are the renowned dances in our culture. Aslo in the courts of great kings, it was a tradition of having a court dancer who was respected for her performances. In fact, every festival in our country is incomplete without dance and music.

The seven-day long dance festival celebrates Indian cultural heritage of classical dance forms. The promote dances include Kathak, Satiriya, Kathakali, Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Mohiniyattam. Renowned classical dancers perform in front of the Chitragupta (The Sun God’s Temple) and the Vishwanath Temple dedicated to the celestial dancer Lord Shiva. Traditionally bedecked dancers, the backdrop of beautiful temples, melodies of classical music and instrumental compositions leave a lasting impact.

The Khajuraho Dance Festival commences at seven in the evening and goes on till late at night and is free for everyone. The temples and the festival has earned a prominent position among India tour packages.

How to get there

The city is well connected by air, railways and road. There is a domestic airport which is just 12 kilometers away. The city of Khajuraho also has its own railway station. Taxis and other travel services are easily found in the vicinity of the airport as well as the group of temples.

The dance festival is bound to leave the travellers with an experience of a lifetime. While people are there to witness the dance festival, they can also explore the Khajuraho temples with an expert guide, Orchha, Panna Tiger Reserve, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bhimbetka caves and Sanchi Stupa.

Watching a big cat in real life could be a distant dream for many! However, this dream, in India, is not that tough to be realized as the country is blessed with over 3000 tigers, 99 national parks, 40 tiger reserves, and 450 wildlife sanctuaries. India has made a global mark as it has transformed as home to 75% of the tiger population of the world.

No matter if you are surrounded by the big mountains of Himalayas in Uttarakhand or are in the desert landscape of Rajasthan or in the centre of Gujarat, the rich fauna will be there to enthrall and entice you always.

Top 10 National Parks in India that are home to diverse wildlife: 

1. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan: The royal land of Rajasthan also houses the royal predators. Stretching across the area of 1,334 square kilometres, this Park offers fascinating jungle safaris India. You will be delighted to see the cats prancing and pouncing on trees and grounds freely here. The other animals that are spotted here include Sloth Bears, Wild Boars, Sambar, etc. 
 

Best Time to Visit: The Park is open from October to June. However, the ideal time to spot tigers is March-May. 

Check Out Here: Ranthambore National Park

2. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand: Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest established national park housing the most furious member of the cat family, the tigers. Many species such as Fishing Cats, Serow, Goral, Himalayan Tahr, and other fascinating wild species have made their habitat in this park. It was in 1936 when the journey of Jim Corbett started. The Park was declared as Asia's very first National Park in the same year. Later in 1974, it was declared as the first Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger. People from across the globe keep thronging here to catch a quick view of these brilliantly dangerous cats. 

Best Time to Visit: The Park is open from October to June. However, the ideal time to spot tigers is March-May. 

Check Out Here: Corbett National Park

3. Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh: The Royal Bengal Tigers! Sounds too royal… isn't it? And if you wish to have the spectacular vista of these tigers, then Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh is the best place for you. Blessed with the presence of striped cats and many other exotic fauna species, Bandhavgarh is one of the best places for wildlife safari in India.

Once upon a time, this place used to be the hunting ground for royal dynasties. However, the scenario changed slowly and Bandhavgarh is a protected area now. 

Best Time to Visit: The national park could be visited between mid-October and June, but March to May is the ideal month to see big cats. 

Check Out Here: Bandhavgarh National Park

4. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh: Do you aware of the Mogli Land exist in India? If not, then you should plan a trip to the Kanha National Park soon. Owing to the existence of the vivid wild creatures, this dense jungle became an inspiration to Rudyard Kipling's forever classic-the Jungle book. The roaring of tigers in the real woods of Kanha jungles is what that attracts thousands of tourists from across the world to this park.

Best Time to Visit: The gate remains open from mid-October to June, however, the peak time is March to May if you want to see royal tigers.

Check Out Here: Kanha National Park

5. Kaziranga National Park, Assam: Welcome to Kaziranga National Park, home to world's largest population of one Horned Rhinoceros. Stretching across 429.69 square kilometres, this place is far off from human inhabitance and hence helps in maintaining the rich flora and fauna. This Park also houses Elephants, Bears, Panthers and many pretty birds. As the wildlife flourishes without any limits here, Kaziranga is being titled as one of the renowned World Heritage Sites of UNESCO. 

Best time to visit: You can explore this park from November to the end of April. 

Check Out Here: Kaziranga National Park

6. Sunderban National Park, West Bengal: This park could help you in spotting surprising sights. You can see tigers swimming in the water around the Mangroves of the Sunderban National Park. Sunderbans jungles have many credits to its portfolio. It's the largest tiger reserve. Also, it boasts of the tiger populace that has adopted an amphibious lifestyle. It also houses one of the world's largest forest cover of the Mangroves.

Hence, it forms one of the ultimate destinations to enjoy wildlife holidays in India. Owing to its distinguished distinctions, it has been honored as the UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Best Time to Visit: The Park is open throughout the year; however, to see the amphibian tigers, the best time to visit here is from October to April.

Check Out Here: Sunderbans National Park

7. Gir National Park, Gujarat: Housing the royal Asiatic Lions, the Gir National Park is the treasure trove for those who love to see the rich diversity of wildlife. What makes the USP for the Gir National Park is that it is the only home to the populace of Asiatic Lions, and therefore it contributes significantly to India wildlife tourism. Besides Lions, there are around 32 species of mammals, over 300 species of birds and 26 of reptiles. 

Best Time to Visit: The best season to visit the park is from October to May end.

Check Out Here: Gir National Park

8. Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh: If you want to spot tigers frisking around carefree, then Pench is the place to be. One can listen to the loud rumbles of the big and furious predators in these jungles. This royal kingdom also boasts of other wild beings like Leopard, Wild Boar, Nilgai, and Crimson-breasted Barbet and so on.

Best Time to Visit: Pench remains open from mid-October to June. The best time to sight tigers are months from March to May.

Check Out Here: Pench National Park

9. Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh: The live wild world of the Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh is a treat to the eye. Spotted Deer, Leopards, Sloth Bear, Black Buck, Sambar, Four Horned Antelopes, Porcupine, Smooth Otter or Pangolin, all varieties have made their home in Satpura. The terrain is rugged here with the presence of peaks of sandstone, slender gorges, several ravines, and dense jungles, thereby making it a complete adventure zone. 

Best Time to Visit: October to April is the ideal season for visiting this park.

10. Tadoba National Park, Maharashtra: If you want to enjoy deciduous forests and undulating hills while enjoying your wildlife safari holidays in India, then Tadoba National Park in Maharashtra is the best place. There is a beautiful lake encircled by lush mixed forests in this park. Tigers, Barking Deer, Hyenas, Gaur, Leopards, and many others form the inhabitants of this jungle.

Best Time to Visit: Park is open from October to June. However, the best time to spot tigers is in months of March, April, and May. 

Check Out Here: Tadoba Andheri National Park

Author Bio: Archana Sharma is a freelance writer who is passionate about her profession. Travelling is something that excites her. She has been in the creative field for over 15 years and has been writing for print media and digital media.