Khajuraho – Seventh Wonder of Incredible India

Famed as one of the finest temple art in the entire world, Khajuraho is home to a cluster of monuments
which has the biggest group of Hindu and Jain monuments dating back to the medieval period. Located in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh,

the sites of the monuments are visited by tourists from different nook and corners of the world in large number. 

The rulers and the successors of the Chandela dynasty constructed various types of temples from the 9^th century to 11^thcentury CE which is now known as one of the seven wonders of India.

The Chandela rulers adorned Khajuraho with various scores of beautiful temples, tanks and architectural masterpiece. Out of the eighty five temples that were listed by the local tradition only 25 of them survive. All the temples are constructed of buff, pink or pale yellow except for that of the Brahma, Mahadeva and Chausath Yogini which are constructed using granite.

History: According to the legends, the creators of these monuments are supposed to be the descendants of the moon. One evening, the moon seduced a beautiful daughter of the Brahmin priest when she was bathing in the Rati. She gave birth to Chandravarman in the thick forest of Central India as she has to run away from her home due to harassment of being pregnant without being wedded. She taught him everything from politics to fighting skills. 

When the boy established himself as the king and founder of the Chandela dynasty, he had a dream visitation from his mother who told him to build temples that would reveal humans passions thus bringing out the realization of the emptiness of the human desire. Hence, the king constructed first temple and as the time passed by the successive rulers constructed their own.

Temples: Kandariya Mahadeva which is credited to King Ganda (1017-1029 AD) is the grandest temple of this place. But there are some of other temples which are small in size but are delicately and elaborately architected including Chaturbhuj, Javari, Adinatha, Duladeo and Vamana.  

In 954 AD, King Yasovarman constructed the Vishnu temple now famed as Lakshmana Temple. Later on his successor, King Dhanga went on to built temples like Parvanatha, Visvanatha and Vaidyanatha. Among other renowned temples inside the complex of Khajuraho are the Jagadambi, Vishwanath, Devi Jagadambi, Varaha Temple, Nandi Mandap, Chitragupta and many more.

Beside the cult images, the sculptural ornamentation includes parsva, avarana, parivara, dikpalas, devatas, sura sundaris and the apsarases which won universal acclaim for its delicate youthful female forms of ravishing beauty. The architectural beauty of this place represents the workmanship of the people of that era in every sense and all the temples are sure to give every one of the visitor with inner satisfaction along with the rejuvenation and isolation. 

Best time to Visit:September to March is ideal for visiting this place. During the month of February to March, a weeklong festival of cultural and traditional dance decorates this place with huge enthusiasm, gaiety and fervor. 

How to Reach:

By Air: Khajuraho airport is the nearest airport to this place and is located at a distance of 5 m from the center of the city.  

By Train: The nearest railway station is also located at Khajuraho itself, but one has to purchase the tickets online or the bus terminal of Khajuraho situated at 1 km from the town.

By Road: Khajuraho is well connected by road to major nearby cities like Agra, Allahabad, Jhansi, Gwalior, Varanasi, Mahoba and many other cities.