Khajuraho

About Khajurao

Khajuraho group of temples were founded by Chardravarman in between 950-1000 AD.  The Chandela dynasty built the temples, many of which originally rose from a lake, and survived for five centuries before falling to the Mughal onslaught.

The Khajuraho Monuments are a group of Hindu and Jain temples in Chhatarpur District of Madhya Pradesh a state in Central India, these are in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

Khajuraho is known for its temple complex, this place has got a number of ancient temples. This not only reflects a unique architectural skill or sculpture but also the royalty, wrestling, kinship, courtship, marriage, spiritual teachings, meditation and many other postures of human beings. 

The word Khajuro ‘KHAJURAO’ is constructed with the Hindi word ‘Khajur’ (Date).  Being one of the most popular tourist destinations in India, Khajuraho possesses the largest number of medieval Hindu and Jain temples. Khajuraho temples are known for high-matured civilization. These temples are unique gift of love to the world.

    

The Story

According to the different versions of the origin of the city, Khajuraho owes its existence to an enchanting maiden named Hemvati.

The legend that describes the origin of the great dynasty of Khajuraho is a fascinating one: Hemavati, was a beautiful young daughter of a Brahmin priest and was a child widow. One day while bathing in the river. (Rati) she was seduced by the moon god who was mesmerized by her beauty.

The Moon god, awestruck by her beauty descended to the earth in the form of a human and ravished her. A son was born of this union between a human and a god. He was named Chandravarman by his mother.

As she was a widow who had given birth to a child she feared being harassed by society. To save herself and her child she took refuge in the dense forest of Central India. Here she trained her son both as a mother and a mentor or guru.

The boy grew up to become a brave king who went on to establish the great Chandela dynasty. When he was established as a ruler, he had a dream-where his mother implored him to build temples that would reveal human passions and thus would bring hidden human desires into open. Soon Chandravarman began the construction of the first of the temples, which saw the successive rulers adding to the fast growing shrine complex.

Mythology

One theory connects them with Indian sects who invest sex with a ritual symbolism and considered Yoga (spiritual exercise) and Bhoga (physical pleasure) as two different paths leading to the same goal, that is moksha, self-deliverance.

According to these sects, in the enjoyment of sex one can transcend into a Samadhi thereby attaining Nirvana (salvation).

While another theory view them as representing tantric rituals. Tantricism and the Shakti cult, where the Pancha Makaras (five tenets), namely, Matsya (fish), Madira (wine), Maithuna (sexual activity), Mamsa (meat), and Mudra (gesture) were to release the human spirit from the bondage of the flesh, have been described as the possible explanations for the sensuality of Khajuraho sculpture.

These sculptures, they say, serve as a test for the devotees self control in order to achieve the goal that is to reach the deity placed in the sanctum. In other words it means that if a person wants to achieve God, he has to forget all this at the outset.

Places to see

1.    Vishwanath Temple

Made by beautiful marble Shivalinga as a prime deity, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Apart from the main deity, the interiors of the temples are adorned with the idol of Lord Brahma.

2.    Lakshmana Temple

Lakshmana Temple is a huge stone temple of Khajuraho, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Constructed in 930-950 AD, the temple is one of the well preserved temple having a full five-part floor plan and four subsidiary shrines.

The inscription represents dedication of the temple to Vaikuntha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. God Vaikuntha is distinguished by three heads of man, lion and boar.

3.    Chitragupta Temple

Chitragupta Temple is an ancient shrine located eastwards facing the direction of the rising sun. Constructed in 11th century, the temple is dedicated to Sun God, who is also known as Lord Surya. The temple houses a beautiful 5 ft high standing idol of Lord Surya driving a chariot, which is operated by seven horses.

4. Shilpgram is popular for promoting ancient culture of India in the form of various performances of folk arts. The cultural centre sprawls across an area of about ten acres and was established in 1998 by the government to preserve the culture and tradition of the country.

5.    Parsvanath Temple is one of the beautiful temples that is under the eastern group of temples of Khajuraho. Dedicated to one of the Jain tirthankaras, the temple is considered to be one of the largest Jain temples present in India. The temple lies in the protected zone of the city and was constructed in around 954 AD.  

6.    Javari Temple

Javari Temple is located near the Brahma Temple and is situated in the east of Khajuraho. Falling under eastern group of Khajuraho, this temple is comparatively smaller and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Constructed between 1075 and 1100, the temple displays the ancient Khajuraho architecture. It is believed that the name of the temple is derived from the name of the owner of the land, as no Hindu deity has this title.  

7. Beejamandal temple

Beejamandal Temple is one of the ruined temples located in Vidisha at Khajuraho. Marked on the top by a white stone, it is believed that the temple was under the stack of earth. The architecture of the temple is influenced by Indonesian or south-east Asian styles. Since ages, the villagers of the destination regularly light the holy oil-lamp each night at this place.

8. Brahma Temple

Brahma Temple is located on the banks of Khajur Sagar or Ninora Tal. Constructed in 900 AD, the temple houses images of Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. Possessing simple plan and architectural design, the temple is made with granite stone and the shikharas are built by using sandstone. It is believed that the temple stands on the twelve pillars of granite, situated on a high platform at an average elevation of 11 ft.

9. Chaunsat Yogini

   Chaunsat Yogini Temple is another ruined temple belonging to the western group temples of Khajuraho. It is believed to be the oldest existing temple in the village constructed around 900 AD. Raised on a platform, the temple is in damaged state and public access is restricted in the area.

10.Kandariya Mahadev Temple

Kandariya Mahadev Temple is not only one of the biggest temples of the western group of temples in Khajuraho, but the first to be constricted on the general platform. Depicting the Chandela art, the huge shrine was constructed in 1025–1050.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, as at the centre of the Garbha Griha, a linga is installed. Beautiful architecture of the temple is based on typical five-part design, which consists of Garbha Griha, Ardhamandapa, Pradakshina and Mahamandapa supported with pillars. The tower present in the temple is more than 100 ft high. 

11.Chaturbhuj Temple

Chaturbhuj Temple was constructed in 1100 AD and belongs to the southern group of Khajuraho temples. This west facing temple stands on a square platform, which can be approached by a staircase of ten steps.

 How to reach 

To reach Khajuraho there are following methods

1.Airplane- . Khajuraho has a domestic airport which is connected with almost all Indian Airports.

2. Train – there are direct Trains from Delhi. Delhi to Mahoba, Delhi to Khajurao,

3.     Bus/car- these options are available. The distance will be

• Distance – New Delhi to Khajuraho by Train 600 KM
• Jaipur to Khajuraho by Gwalior 595
• Chennai to Khajuraho 1689 KM

The best to reach here is go with a Tour Package with registered travel agency. Minar Travels India Pvt. Limited is a registered travel company which deals in tour packages and airlines destination management.

You can select this tour package while clicking here or you can contact us for this  Package  

References - 1.       http://www.indianholiday.com/  2. http://wikitravel.org/  3. Yahoo travel  4 UNESCO 5 Minar Travels