Khajuraho Temple History: Maybe no other destination elicits so many distinct answers as Khajuraho does. The erotic sculptures of Khajuraho will be the cynosure of all eyes and you get diverse reactions from folks who see the town. While a few are doubtful, others apologize. Some are ashamed, others are frustrated. The manuals with poker face stage to” an oral action” or a” group action”, though most vacationers giggle or look away. The sellers on the road market Kamasutra packed as books or paintings or even primitive carvings depicting a variety of kinds of lovemaking.
Even civilizational contiguity, lively cultural advantage, and a million voices seeping into the cerebrum, Khajuraho Group of Monuments are similar to the final dot in the world of space and time offsetting the societal structures fitting the individual emotions and sensibilities to a combined aesthetic which has had us in thrall. It is just like a canvas created of the soil, distribute on timber blocks observing and depicting life in its purest form.
Table of Contents
Khajuraho Temple Address
The Khajuraho Temple location – Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh 471606.
Khajuraho Temple History
The Chandela rulers built the temples over a span of 100 decades, a temple being commissioned by a king each. Most of the temples were constructed by Kings Dhangadeva and Yashovarman. The temples were built near Mahoba which was the seat of the Chandela empire. The temples were called after the date palm trees that used to be the gates of the premises back in the day.
The Khajuraho Temples are majorly known for their erotic sculptures but there are similar sculptures in the Konark Sun temple in Odisha. These sculptures have many theories for their existence and are based on the Hindu iconography and are a part of the core belief system which hinge across the four tenets of Hinduism: Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.
Khajuraho Temple Architecture
The temples follow the design sensibilities of this Nagara-style architecture and are created from granite and sandstone. Barring the temple of Chaturbhuja, all temples are sun-facing, a common aesthetic found in Hindu temples. The deities of male and female deities show a co-dependence of their male and female power. The temples run on the basic mandala design containing a square and circles.
Constructed between 950-1050 CE from the Chandela dynasty, Khajuraho Temples are among the most significant specimens of this Indian artwork. These collections of Hindu and Jain temples required about a hundred years to take shape. Originally a selection of 85 temples, the number has come down to 25.
3 Zones :-
The whole precinct is divided into three zones combining to form a pentagon. The three zones home These temples:
Southern Group of Temples include Dulhadev temple, Beejamandal temple, Jatkari, and Chaturbhuj temple.
Western Group of Temples include Lakshmana temple, Chausat Yogini Temple, Kandariya Mahadeo temple, Chitragupta temple, Matangeshwara temple, Jagadambi temple, Vishwanath temple, and Varaha temple.
Eastern Group of Temples include Adinath temple, Ghantai temple, Brahma temple, Hanuman temple, Parasvanath temple, Javari, and Vamana temple.
The Western group contains the bulk of temples, the Eastern includes carved Jain temples while the Southern group has just several temples. The Jain temples at the Eastern Group of temples were constructed for its booming Jainism in the Area throughout the Chandela rule.
The temples at the Southern and Western regions are committed to different Hindu gods and goddesses. Out of those eight temples are dedicated to Vishnu, six to Shiva, and one each to Ganesha and Surya while three are to get Jain Tirthankaras. The Kandariya Mahadeo temple is the biggest of all of the temples which remain.
Stories Bahind Khajuraho
We wonder why the Chandelas, who dominated over 1000 years ago constructed these monuments that signify pride and love in a variety of forms. And it isn’t merely that the Chandelas. Can it be some sort of a guide that these sculptors were or had it a belief which directed them into the dividing these sensual sculptures of Khajuraho?
There Appear to be different interpretations about the erotic sculptures of Khajuraho- from tales to religious beliefs and that I thought I’d share them with you and receive your viewpoints
I will begin with tales and my favorite is that. The moon constantly evokes romance and it’s little wonder then that the descendants of this celestial moon god could build monuments that endure for love. The story goes that a gorgeous woman named Hemavathy was bathing at the dark beneath the moonlight when she had been seduced by the moon himself. She ran in the woods for refuge and increased her son, Chandravarman alone. True to his word, Chandravarman climbed up to establish that the Chandela dynasty. It’s thought that he had been affected by his own mother’s story so he constructed temples with figurines depicting human passions and likely, the futility of the same.
In the event you’re not interested in the story behind the erotic sculptures of Khajuraho, this really is just another belief that states that the carvings of Mithunas are symbols of “great luck” combined with different sculptures which encircle mythical creatures. Another interpretation claims that they functioned as a type of sex education, by rekindling passions from the ascetic heads of individuals, who were likely influenced by Buddhism.
And there are numerous interpretations that talk of changing beliefs in Hinduism which appear to maintain the fore. One of these speaks about leaving your bliss and needs behind before going into the temple. That is why there aren’t any carvings of sex within the temples.
Khajuraho Temple Timings
The visiting hours to the Khajuraho Temple are from 8 am to 6 pm.
The light and sound show at the Khajuraho Temple is organized from the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department. There are just two shows available in two languages: English and Hindi. And the Khajuraho Temple timings for all these shows are different for summers and winters.
- The winter timings are between 6.30 pm to 7.25 pm (October to February).
- The summer timings are between 7.30 pm to 8.25 pm (March to September).
The entry fee for the exact same for Indian people is Rs 250 while foreigners pay Rs 700. There is no entrance ticket for children below five years. The ticket and gate counter to the sound and light show are different compared to the primary entrance to the temple complex. The entry tickets into the Khajuraho Temple sound and light show can not be reserved in advance.
Khajuraho Museum Timings
The museum is open from 8 am to 5 pm and stays closed on Fridays. The ticket cost for Indians, SAARC and BIMSTEC vacationers is priced at Rs 10 while the overseas tourists need to pay Rs 250. The museum is situated near the Matageshwar temple across the Western group of temples.
Khajuraho Weather
- Winter : Maximum: 19 °C Minimum: 8 °C.
- Monsoon : Maximum: 33 °C Minimum: 26 °C.
- Summer : Maximum: 45 °C Minimum: 25 °C.
- Best Time to Visit: October to March.
When to visit Khajuraho?
The best time to see Khajuraho is through winter between October to March. If you are more likely then you must plan your visit to Khajuraho throughout the yearly Khajuraho Dance holiday season. The week-long classical dance festival is held every February.
A celebration of the Indian classical dance forms, it’s a must-attend if you are an enthusiast or want to appreciate the aesthetic of the cultural performances against the background of this early temple.
How to Reach Khajuraho Temple?
Found in the northern Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is famous as the land of the Khajuraho temple. It receives a massive number of tourists each year with this significant tourist attraction. And it is due to this reason Khajuraho is easily accessible and has its own airport fairly near to the site. The easiest way to reach Khajuraho is by flight, the airport is only 2 minutes drive from the town. Else, it is possible to take a bus from Chhatarpur.
The town Khajuraho is 44 kilometers from district Chattarpur, 281 km from Gwalior, 375 km from Bhopal, 565 km from Indore, 355 km from Ranchi. The nearest cities from Khajuraho are Harpalpur (94 km), Satna (117 km), Jhansi (175 kilometers ), and Jabalpur that is 258 km.
- Nearest Airport – Khajuraho Airport
- Nearest Metro Station – N/A
- Nearest Railway Station – Khajuraho Railway Station
- Nearest Bus Stand – Khajuraho Bus Stand
Nearest Railway Station to Khajuraho Temple
Located in Chhatarpur district, Khajuraho Railway Station is 5 km from the Khajuraho temple. There are trains from Delhi to Khajuraho, Agra to Khajuraho, Varanasi to Khajuraho, and much more.
Nearest Bus Stand to Khajuraho Temple
Khajuraho Bus Stand is just 1 kilometer from the Khajuraho temple. The bus service is available in Delhi to Khajuraho, Agra to Khajuraho, Indore to Khajuraho, Bhopal to Khajuraho and other towns.
Nearest Metro Station to Khajuraho Temple
There’s not any subway station in Khajuraho although both Indore and Bhopal possess their own metro rail networks.
Nearest Airport to Khajuraho Temple
Khajuraho Airport is a stone’s throw away from the Khajuraho Temple Sophisticated, a mere kilometer run. It operates flights from Delhi and Varanasi.
Khajuraho Temple Online Ticket Price
- Entry Fee (Indian):- INR 40
- Entry Fee (SAARC and BIMSTEC):- INR 40
- Entry Fee (Foreigner):- INR 600
- Entry Below (Children Below Age 15):- Free
The price for its Khajuraho Temple entry ticket to the Western temples is Rs 40 for Indian nationals. The Khajuraho Temple entrance ticket for thieves is priced at 600 and also for SAARC and BIMSTEC vacationers that the entry fee is the same as Indian taxpayers that’s Rs 40 each. The children below 15 years may go to the temples at no cost.
If you would like to reserve your tickets to Khajuraho temples beforehand then visit Yatra.com to reserve your Khajuraho Temple tickets online. Bear in mind the Khajuraho Temple online ticket once booked can not be refunded or transferred.
Hotels Near Khajuraho
1. The Lalit Traveller Khajuraho
Offering an exclusive Indian restaurant, The Lalit Traveler Khajuraho is located barely 1312 feet from the Western Group of Temples.
2. Ramada Khajuraho
A 5-minute drive from Khajuraho Airport, the 5-star Ramada Khajuraho is surrounded by greenery and features an inviting outdoor pool, a jogging track, and luxurious, modern rooms.
3. The Lalit Temple View
Located 1640 feet from the famous Khajuraho Temples, The Lalit features a spa and outdoor pool. Guests can enjoy working out in the fitness center and taking yoga classes.
4. Radisson Jass Hotel
Located just 0.6 mi from the Western Group of Khajuraho Temples – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Radisson Jass Hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi throughout the property.
After reading Khajuraho Temple History, also read: