Places to visit in Khajuraho
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.
Dulhadev Temple
Built in the year 1130 the Dulhadev Temple enshrines a beautiful shivalingam and striking sculptures of Apsaras and other ornamented figures. The temple also has a stunning sculpture of Lord Shiva with his wife Parvati, the intricate details of the carvings adding to the charm of the overall architecture.
Light and Sound Show, Khajuraho
After the visit to the temple complex is over, a light and sound show is carried out which is narrated by veteran actor Mr. Amitabh Bachhan.
Kandariya Mahadev Temple
Built around 1025-1050 AD, this temple exudes grandeur and finesse in its architecture. With beautiful frescos of women in various postures adorning the walls of this temple, this place is one of the most stunning tourists sites in Khajuraho.
Kandariya Mahadev Temple has an artistically engraved shrine with over 800 images of women, most of which are more than 3 feet high. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has a shivalingam at the centre of Garba Griha. Made of a typical sandstone structure, the artisitic representation of eroticism on the walls of this temple are bound to give a new perspective on India's cultural heritage.
Lakshman Temple
The oldest and most aesthetically pleasing temples among the Western group of Temples, the Lakshman temple is named after the ruler of that time. The trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva is depicted in the horizontal beam over the entrance of the temple.
Parsvanath Temple
This temple is the largest among the Eastern group of temples and has intricately detailed carvings on its walls. The most intriguing side of the architecture of this temple is the aesthetic blend of Hindu, muslim and Buddhist styles.
The highlights of the temple are the sculptures on the northern outer walls.
Vishwanath Temple, Khajuraho
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is one among the western group of temples. It has a beautiful marble shivalinga as the main deity. An imposing image of Brahma is also housed in this temple. A massive sculpture of Nandi the Bull is also enshrined alongside the Shivalingam.
Raneh Falls
Located at a distance of 20 kms from Khajuraho, Raneh Falls are mesmerising natural waterfalls over river Ken. The river has carved a deep canyon in the valley made of crystalline granite in shares of red, pink and grey. There are several small and big waterfalls emerging from this gorge, collectively called as Raneh Falls.
Khajuraho Dance Festival
The Khajuraho Dance Festival is an annual dance festival that celebrates the art of dance and the cultures behind the various dance forms. The festival is held at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho for seven days during which essential faces in the world of traditional Indian dance forms come forth and honour the platform that allows them to express themselves. The magnificent Khajuraho Temples are lit up, and beautiful classical dances are performed against this backdrop. From Kuchipudi to Bharatnatyam, From Kathakali to Odissi, dancers from all over the world will enthral you with their performances.
