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If
India gave the world “kamasutra”, she also illustrated it with
breathtakingly explicit sculptures at Khajuraho. The finest
expression of the erotic art – a lesson in desire fulfillment, here,
larger than male and female figures canoodle in the open in every
possible pose –and some impossible ones. And all these within
temples. Yet, each is a sublime art – a temporal union of the divine
Shiva and Shakti that gave birth to this cosmos.
Be prepared to be confronted with sublimation of basest desires. See
all the repressed instincts fleshed out in intimate details on full
view. The in- the- face depiction of sexuality is still never base.
For, the founders believed that the gratification of desires can
lead to liberation. It can be a learning experience for uplifting
sexual feelings to a divine level.
Khajuraho is 595 km (370 miles) south-east of Delhi and can be
visited by air, rail or road. There is a direct link with Delhi,
Agra, Varanasi and Kathmandu. Jhansi is a convenient railhead for
those traveling from northern cities. Khajuraho is connected by
regular and direct bus services with all nearby cities.
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Places to visit |
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Eastern Group
of Temples :Adinath Temple
The Jain saint’s
temple is splendidly adorned with sculpted figures and
contains three Hindu temples of Brahma, the Vamana and the
Javari. The lavishly carved gateway leads to marvelous
exterior sculptures. The roof has been built with a
Padmashila (lotus like stone and the sculptures are vivid
and life like. |
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Parsvanth
Temple
The largest Jain
temple has exquisite sculptures on the northern outer wall
dealing with everyday activity. |
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Hanuman Temple
The colossal
statue of Hanuman. "the monkey God” (8 ft high) stands out
amidst the temple in ruins. A very ancient inscription of
Maharaja Harsh is of archaeological value. |
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Brahma Temple
It is
simply designed with a granite stone body sandstone shikhare.
In the sanctum is now enshrined a four faced image of
Brahma; hence it is called the Brahma temple. It is one of
the earliest structures and does not reveal any structure
apart from a sanctum and an entrance porch. |
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Western Group
of Temples : Chitragupta Temple
Situated on the
right of Brihat stupa the temple built during the reign of
the Gupta kings (4th century) combines a garbha griha with a
pavilion or mandap. |
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Kandariya
Mahadeo
The largest
temple soars 31 m high and is dedicated to Shiva with a
lingam in the sanctum sanctorum. The exquisitely carved main
shrine features, in exquisite detail, gods, goddesses,
celestial maidens and lovers. The entrance arch, ceilings
and pillars of the interiors stand out. |
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Chaunsat
Yogini
Dedicated to Kali, it is the only granite temple and the
earliest one. Only 35 of the original 65 shrines survive. |
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Lakshamana
Temple
The lintel on
the entrance of this breathtaking temple has the trinity of
Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva with Lakshmi, Vishnu's
incarnations, Narasimha and Varaha presiding over. |
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Southern
Group:Dulah Deo Temple
This finest
temple is a fully developed temple with the ardhamanadap,
the mandapa, the maha mandapa, the antarala and the garbha
griha the ceiling of the maha mandap is a series of
diminishing circles of overlapping stones. There is an image
of Shiva on the lintel on the entrance and enshrines a
shivlingam. The outer walls of the temple are decorated with
three bands of sculptures that are dazzlingly rich .The
vidyadhar wizards are carved flying singly and in pairs
carrying weapons and garlands, brandish swords, play on
musical instruments, carry dance in their hands, flight in
their legs, and sentiment of detachment on their faces.
Extra ordinary erotic couples (mathunas) also populate the
place. |
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Unique Shopping
You can buy sell
souvenirs and handicrafts made by the local artisans at numerous
shops. Pick up keepsake souvenirs from the smaller stalls outside.
The weekly bazaar at Rajinagar (5 km) offers bargains for goods and
brassware.
Eating out
Restaurants like Hotel
Chandela, Hotel Jass Oberoi, Hotel Khajuraho Ashok and Hotel Jhankar
serve Indian and Continential cuisine. Indian cuisine is available
at: Madras Cofee House, Raja Cafe and Punjab Restaurant all of which
are opposite the Western Group of Temples.
Do’s and Don’t’s
Khajuraho is a small
town so crime statistics; but take some elementary precautions.
- Stick to the well-lit and busy section of the town and be
extremely alert in the dark
- Keep your money and travel documents close to your body (perhaps
in a pouch slung around your neck, tucked out of sight under your
shirt), Keep several photocopies of your passport, insurance,
travellers' cheques etc. scattered through your luggage,
- Do not use a waist pouch; it may as well be a transparent plastic
bag: it's that fragile and that obvious!
- Do not put all your money in one place, Many women travellers wear
the long tunic and loose pyjama dress of Indian women called the
salwar-kameez and find that it substantially dissuades unwanted male
attention.
- If you are travelling alone, do not advertise it.
- If you lose your passport lodge a First Information Report at the
local police station and contact your embassy. |
