UNESCO World Heritage Sites, India

[minisoji]

Khajuraho group of monuments


The temples of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh are one of India’s unique gifts to the world. They were built between 950-1050 A.D near the village of Khajuraho under the patronage of the Chandela kings of northern central India who ruled about 1,000 years ago.


Khajuraho Temple

These 85 granite and sandstone temples of Khajuraho are renowned for their fine blend of sculpture and architecture. They consist of bands of horizontal sculptures which balance and blend with the vertical line of the temples’ superstructure.

Besides the Chausath-Yogini, the Brahma and the Mahadeva temples which are of granite, all the other temples are made of fine grained sandstone and are buff pink or pale yellow in color.

They have been constructed on a high and solid platform which provides an open ambulatory.

The temple of Vishnu built by Yasovarman (AD 954), now famous as the Lakshmana temple proclaims the prestige of the Chandellas. The Visvanatha, Parsvanatha and Vaidyanatha temples belong to the time of king Dhanga, the successor of Yasovarman.

The Jagadambi, and the Chitragupta Temples, are noteworthy among the western group of royal temples of Khajuraho.

The immortal Kandariya Mahadeva temple is the largest and the grandest temple of Khajuraho, attributed to king Ganda (AD 1017-29)

These temples are known for their lofty terraces (Jagari) and functionally effective plans.

The sculptural embellishments include parivara, parsa, avarana devatas, dikpalas, the apsaras and sura-sundaris in their delicate, youthful female forms of ravishing beauty exuding irrevocable charm and grace.

Tourist information

Timings : Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset, Entry fee for those above 12yrs: Rs.5.00 free entry on Fridays.

Best time to visit : October to April

Access : Air links to Delhi, Agra and Varanasi. Nearest railheads : Harpalpur, Mahoba, Jhansi. Road links to Satna, Harpalpur, Jhansi (175 km) and Gwalior (280 km).

Where to stay : Hotel Chandela, Jass Oberoi, Holiday Inn Khajuraho, Clarks Bundela, Hotel Khajuraho Ashok. The Madhya Pradesh Stare tourism development corporation runs hotel Jhankar, Hotel Payal, Hotel Rahi, and Tourist bungalow.

Places to visit : Rajharg Palace, Dhubela museum (65 km), Pandav Falls (34 km), Ranesh Falls (19 km), Ken Natural Trail (22 km), Benisagar lake (11 km), Ranguan Lake (25 km), Gangau Dam (34 km), Panna national Park (25 km), Panna (45 km).