Honeymoon to Khajuraho

About the Place

Khajuraho is well known for its temples. The temples of Khajuraho are one of India’s major attractions. They are India’s unique gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life, to love, to joy; perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Life, in every form and mood, has been captured in stone, testifying not only to the craftsman’s artistry but also to the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs under whose rule the temples were conceived and constructed.
 
The Khajuraho temples were built in the short span of a hundred years, from 950-1050 A.D. in a truly inspired burst of creativity. Of the 85 original temples, 22 have survived till today to constitute one of the world’s great artistic wonders. Once a great chandela capital, Khajuraho is now a quiet village. Rediscovered only in this century, restored and cleaned, the temples of Khajuraho once again testify to a past glory. Best Season to visit Khajuraho is July to March.
 
What To See
 
Architecturally the temples are unique, being very different from the temple prototype of their period. Each stands on a high masonry platform with a marked upward direction in the structure, further enhanced by vertical projections to create the effect of grace and lightness. Each of the chief compartments is mounted by its own roof, grouped so that the highest is in the centre, the lowest over the portico; a highly imaginative recreation of the rising peaks of the Himalayas, abode of the gods.
 
The three main compartments are the entrance (ardha-mandapa), assembly hall (mandapa) and sanctum (garbha griha), with further additions in the more developed temples.
 
Three geographical divisions group the temples: western, eastern and southern.
 
Western Group
 
Kandariya Mahadeo : The largest most typical Khajuraho temple, it soars 31 m high. Dedicated to Shiva, the sanctum sanctorum enshrines a lingam. The main shrine is exquisitely carved and features, in delicate detail, gods, goddesses, celestial maidens and lovers. Particularly noteworthy are the entrance arch, the ceilings and pillars of the interior compartments.
 
Chaunsat Yogini : The only granite temple and the earliest surviving shrine of the group (900 A.D.), it is dedicated to Kali. Only 35 of the original 65 shrines remain. Another Kali temple Originally dedicated to Vishnu) is the Devi Jagdambe Temple.
 
Chitragupta Temple : Facing eastwards to the rising sun, the temple is dedicated to the sun god, Surya. The image of the deity in the inner sanctum is particularly imposing: five feet high, and driving a horse-drawn chariot. The group scenes depict royal processions, haunting scenes and group dances, reflecting the lavish lifestyle of the Chandela courts.
 
Vishwanath Temple : A three-headed image of Brahma is enshrined in this temple. The approach is equally impressive, with lions flanking the northern and elephants the southern steps that lead up to it. A Nandi bull faces the shrine.
 
Lakshmana Temple : The lintel over the entrance of this beautiful Vaishnavite temple shows the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva with Lakshmi, Vishnu’s consort. The finely carved sanctum has a three-headed idol of Vishnu’s incarnations, Narasimha and Varaha. This boar incarnation also appears in a nine-feet-high statue at the Varaha Temple.
 
Matanageswara Temple : Still a living place of worship, the temple is dedicated to Shiva, has an eight-feet-high lingam, and is outside the precincts of the Western Group.
 
Eastern Group
 
Parsvanath Temple : The group’s largest Jain temple and exquisite in detail. The sculptures on the northern outer wall are particularly noteworthy. The themes depict, in charming detail everyday activity. Within, a throne faces the bull emblem of the first tirthankra, Adinath. The Parsvanath image was installed in 1860.
 
Ghantai Temple : This Jain temple has a frieze which depicts the 16 dreams of Mahavira’s mother, and a Jain goddess on a winged Garuda.
 
Adinath Temple : Dedicated to the Jain saint, Adinath, the temple is lavishly embellished with sculpted figures, including yakshis.
 
The three Hindu temples of the group are the Brahma, containing a four-faced lingam, the Vamana, which is adorned on its outer walls with carvings of apsaras in a variety of sensuous attitudes; and the Javari, with a richly-carved gateway and exterior sculptures.
 
Southern Group
 
Duladeo Temple : Dedicated to Shiva, the apsara and ornamented figures are the temple’s most striking features.
 
Chaturbhuji Temple : This temple has a massive, intricately-carved image of Vishnu in the sanctum.
 
Excursions
 
Panna National Park : Panna National Park, 32 km away and a mere 30 minute drive from Khajuraho, spreads along the river Ken. The jungles today harbour many species of wildlife. The tiger can be glimpsed here, with other rare species such as the leopard, wolf and gharial. Herds of bluebull, chinkara and sambar are a common sight.
 
At Ajaigarh, 80 km from Khajuraho, is a large isolated hilltop fort. Kalinjar Fort, 25 km north, is even older.
 
On the road to Panna are the spectacular Pandav Falls.
 
Alternate picnic sites are Benisagar Dam, Raneh Falls and Ranguan Lake, while interesting trips can be made to Rajgarh Palace, now being converted into a Heritage Hotel, and Dhubela Museum. Further away is Bandhavgarh National Park and tranquil Chitrakoot.
 
Festivals
 
The Khajuraho Festival of Dance is a weeklong event held every year in February/March. It attracts the cream of Indian classical dancers who perform amid the temples in the western enclosure.
 
Where to Stay?
 
Hotel Chandela – 5 star Deluxe – Khanjuraho, Distt. Chhatarpur, Khajuraho – 471 606. Ph : 07686-42355
 
Hotel Jass Oberoi – 5 Star – By Pass Road, Khajuraho – 471 606. Ph : 07686-42344
 
Hotel Clarks Bundela – 4 Star – Khajuraho Village, Chhatarpur, Khajuraho – 471 606. Ph : 07686-42386
 
Khajuraho Ashok – 3 Star – Khajuraho, Distt. Chhatarpur, Khajuraho – 471 606. Ph : 07686-44024
 
Hotel Jhankar - 2 Star –Airport Road, Khajuraho – 471 606. Ph : 07686-2063
 
Budget Hotels - Yogi Lodge and Guesthouse (Ph – 07686 - 44158), Yogi Sharma Ashram Lodge, Hotel Gem Palace (Ph - 44100) on Jain Temples Road, Hotel Surya (Ph - 44145) on Jain Temples Road, Hotel Jain (Ph - 42352) on Jain Temples Road, Hotel Lakeside (Ph - 44120) on Jain Temples Road, Hotel Sunset View (Ph - 44077) on Jain Temples Road, Tourist Village of MP Tourism (Ph - 44128).
 
Mid-Range Hotels - Hotel Zen (Ph - 44288) on Jain Temples Road, Hotel Casa Di William (Ph - 44244), Rakshan Guest House, Hotel Payal (Ph - 44064), Hotel Jhankar (Ph - 44063).
 
Deluxe Luxury Hotels - Holiday Inn (Ph - -42301), Clarks Bundela (Ph - 42386), Hotel Taj Chandela (42355), Hotel Jass Oberoi (42344).
 
Reservations at MPT Hotels - Central Reservations, Marketing Division, M.P. State Tourism Development Corporation Limited, 4th Floor, Gangotri, T.T. Nagar, Bhopal 462003. Tel. : (0755) 774340/42/43. Telefax: (0755) 774289. Fax : (0755) 772384. Also all the Satellite and Regional offices of Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.
 
How to Reach?
 
By Air : Regular services link Khajuraho with Delhi, Agra and Varanasi.

By Rail : The nearest rail heads are Harpalpur (94 km) and Mahoba (61 km). Jhansi (172 km) is a convenient rail head for those travelling from Delhi and Madras ; Satna (117 km), on the Mumbai-Allahabad line of the Central Railway for those coming from Mumbai, Calcutta and Varanasi.
 
By Road : Khajuraho is connected by regular buses with Satna, Harpalpur, Jhansi and Mahoba.
 
Local Transport
 
The best way to get around Khajuraho is by bicycle which can be got on hire. Another alternative is cycle rickshaws.