The most brilliant specimens of Indiana architecture, Khajuraho is a treasure of Indian heritage that brings visitors from the far ends of the globe. The erotic sculptures adorning the temples of Khajuraho is unique and in few words, is simply poetry carved on stone. The fascinating brilliance of the Khajuraho Group of Temples is the reason it is named among the UNESCO World Heritage sites in India. It is located in the Bundelkhand region of the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and is one of the many historic treasures of the land. Khajuraho tours helps to unearth the glorious past, brilliance of craftsmanship that brought to the life the stone sculptures and carvings.
Once guarded by swaying date palm trees, the city of Khajuraho got its name from the ‘khajur trees’ the date palms. A study in art and sculpture, the city traces its origin to the 10th century when it was the bastion of the Chandela dynasty. The famous Chandela temples, erected between the 10th and 11th centuries were abandoned to the jungle during the Muslim era. In 1840 British tiger-hunters came upon them and in the 1920s twenty-two of the original 85 were excavated.
The surviving temples of Khajuraho belongs to both Hinduism and Jainism. The rosy sandstone tiered temples of beautifully carved figures follow the Nagara-style architecture. These depict the warrior clan's ebullient style in battle and in love. Such is the finesse and details of the carvings that every one of the carved women have their own unique hairstyle different from the other. Now a world heritage site, Khajuraho is an Indian destination you cannot afford to miss. Places to visit in Khajuraho are the Eastern and Western Group of temples. While many are in ruins, the most impressive include Lakshamana Temple, Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Devi Jagdamba Temple, Parsvanath Temple, Chausat Yogini, Chaturbhuj Temple, Brahma Temple, Chitragupta Temple, etc.
Besides the mesmerizing tourist attractions of Khajuraho, there is much more on offer. The Khajuraho dance festival is an annual celebration that celebrates the different forms of classical Indian dances. Held in February, the three-day dance festival set against the backdrop of the temples is an experience of a lifetime. A tour of the villages nearby is also unmissable. For a tryst with wilderness, there is the Panna national park and the Ken Ghariyal Reserve. Discover the glories of the days past, the skills of architecture and craftsmanship and the most-prized of India’s legacy at the Khajuraho.
