Breaking all the prejudices of Hinduism banning sex and sensuality, Khajuraho Temples of Madhya Pradesh are famous all over the world for its explicit carvings. Many explanations have been given for the presence of erotic carvings in religious precincts - temples were meant to educate newly weds about sex; worldly desires have to be left outside to reach inner peace and emptiness that mark the inner sanctum of these temples; and even that the carvings denote that spiritual enlightenment can be found through sex. Whatever the case may be, Khajuraho Temples and its depiction of Kamasutra poses have been well photographed and covered by media all over the world.
The first capital of the Chandelas in the 9th century, Khajuraho got lost into anonymity by the 16th century. The temples in the city are divided into Eastern Group of Temples, Western Group of Temples and Southern Group of Temples. Kandariya Mahadeva of the Western Group is the largest and most ornate of all the temples at Khajuraho. The light and sound show organized here is in the evening is a must see.
Places to See
Erotic yet enchanting, Khajuraho is known as the Temple Town and the explicit carvings in religious precincts. You can’t miss:
- The Adinath Temple of the Eastern Group of Temples,
- The Kandariya Mahadeva of the Western Group of Temples, and
- The Dulah Deo Temple of the Southern Group of Temples.
Shopping
The most popular buys at Khajuraho are various Kama Sutra poses carved or sculpted in stone or metal (especially brass). If you are in luck, you may find some authentic tribal handicrafts at the artisan workshops organized by the State Museum of Tribal and Folk Art. You must bargain for a good deal, which is generally around half the price that has been asked for.
Where to Stay
Khajuraho has a number of stay options – ranging from high-end luxury hotels to decent budge hotels. We recommend:
- Holiday Inn Khajuraho
- Radisson Jass Hotel
- Hotel Taj Chandela
- Clarks Khajuraho
- Hotel Usha Bundela
- Greenwood Khajuraho
How to Reach Khajuraho
The second hottest tourist attraction in India after Taj Mahal, Khajuraho is well connected by road network and flight services.
By Road: Khajuaho is well connected by roads to Agra via Jhansi and Orchha. Regular bus services to Khajuraho are available from Agra, Allahabad, Bhopal, Chhatarpur, Gwalior, Harpalpur, Indore, Jabalpur, Mahoba, Panna, Sagar, Satna, and Varanasi.
By Rail: There is no railway station at Khajuraho itself. The nearest railheads are Jhansi (175 km away) and Satna (120 km away), major stopovers on the Mumbai - Allahabad railway link. Frequent trains from Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Varanasi are available to both these stations.
By Air: There is a domestic airport at Khajuraho where most of the major airlines offer regular flights to and from Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, and Kathmandu.
