Khajuraho

Khajuraho Temples Surprise on Earth Post-11

           Khajuraho is an amazing tourist place of Madhya Pradesh. It is a very small village in Chhatarpur district in MP. You will find a number of the temple here.

                 The temples were built in 950 AD to 1050 AD by the ruler of the Chandel dynasty. Afterward, the downfall of the Chandel dynasty number of temples was destroyed by the Mughal emperor. Passing of the time these temples went out of sight. Grass covered the temples and people forget them. The valuable temples left without care and maintenance.

    T.S.Burt, a British engineer later rediscover these temples and restoration work started. The sights are famous for a series of Hindu and Jain temples. The wall of temples showed erotic postures of passionate love. At present only 25 temples are survived out of 85. The temples are dedicated to Hinduism as well as Jainism. All the temples are a good example of the Hindu tradition of building a temple. All the temples face towards east sunrise except one temple. Chaturbhuj.

      As stated in Hinduism four things are important Arth, Kam, Dharm, and Moksha. This mythology reflected on and in the temples properly.

         Temples are based on Vastu principal. Ample space for the pilgrim available to Parikarma (walk around) that is a must in the worship of a temple. The temples are made of sandstone. The stone and pillar joint and fit each other as we see in our wooden bed and chair.

Art of Khajuraho

       The temples are known for their fine artwork as well as for erotic sculptures. Only 10 present is sexual art. As stated in Hindu mythology Arth (money), Kam(sex), Dharm (religious) and Moksha (emancipation release) are four spans of life. Every span of life is important.

        All parts of life depicted in this artwork. Apsaras/ nymphs showed on stone. They are dancing, doing makeup, washing their hair, playing games and loving couples.

      On the other hand, the picture of fighting between two kings, people doing their farming work, worshiping and labor work also is drawn.

     The temple complex divided into three-part as below-

The western group of temples

Eastern group of temples

Southern groups of temples

The main temples of each group are as follow

Western group

                                                                                                   

1.Laxman temple

   Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Laxmi

2.Temple Kandariya Mahadev                                   

    Dedicated to Shiva

3.Devi jagdamba temple

  Dedicated to Jagdamba Devi.

4.Chaunsat Yogini                                                                     

    Dedicated to 64 devi, granite temple

5.Chitragupta temple

   Dedicated to sun

6.Matangeshwara temple

   Dedicated to Shiva

7.Varah Temple

   Dedicated to Varah avatar

8.Vishwanath temple

   Dedicated to lord shiva

Eastern group                               

1.Parsvath

   Jain temple

2.Ghantai temple

   Jain temple

3.Adinath temple

   Dedicated to Jain Tirthankara Adinath

4.Hanuman temple

5.Brahma temple

   Dedicated to Vishnu                                                     

6.Vamana temple

    Dedicated to Vishnu

7.Javari temple

   Dedicated to Vishnu

Southern group                                                                             

                           

1.Dulhadev temple

   Shiva temple

2.BeejaMandal temple

   At present in the ruined condition

3.Chaturbhuj temple

    Dedicated to Vishnu

Why erotic sculptures on temple

       The reason for this erotic sculpture is an unknown puzzle. Nobody knows reason and aim of such artwork.

   There are many stories of the erotic carving, accordingly,

    A beautiful woman named Hemvati taking bath in the moonlight and her son playing there. God moon attracted to the lady and give seduced offer. Hemvati afraid and run to the forest with her child. Afterward, the moon pleased and said that your son would be the king of this place. The son Chandravarman grew up and established a dynasty. In the influence of his mother's story, he built up temples with erotic sculptures.

       Another story says that the period of the 11th century in Indian history called Bhakti Kal (worship period). Peoples were very much influenced by religious. They don't want married life, the burden of the family. They reluctant their responsibility towards family as well as society. So the king made this erotic sculpture to divert people to their responsibility.

How to reach Khajuraho

       The question seems tough on how to reach Khajuraho, but actually, it is not so difficult. Khajuraho lies in Chhatarpur district in MP. It is about 175 km from Jhansi. The distance between Chhatarpur and Khajuraho is only 50 km and from Mahoba it is 78 Km. Trains from Jhansi Gwalior and Bhopal are available. Air service also has been started. Airplane from Delhi, Mumbai, and Varanasi also available.

Khajuraho dance festival

        Every year a dance festival organized by the  MP government in the month of February. All classical Indian dance program performed at Vishwanath temple. A  light and sound show arranged in the evening is a must-watch show.

         On Mahashivratri, a fair as a marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati arranged every year.

You can't imagine this beautiful art carving without coming here at Khajuraho.

        Pathar Pe Kar  Shayri, Tujh Ko Hamara Slam. (poem on stone, once who wrote this, we salute them)

        One more thing I want to say that Khajuraho is accorded the status of the UNESCO world heritage site.

       You must visit Khajuraho, make your travel trip to Khajuraho. You can include Orchha on this trip which is only 173 km from Khajuraho. If you stay at Chhatarpur you can cover both places easily. There is an ancient temple Jatashankar at Chhatarpur is also a place of visit.

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