* '''Parsvanath Temple''' - Largest among the group, with exquisite carvings in detail
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* '''Parsvanath Temple''' - Largest among the group, with exquisite carvings in detail. The sculptures on the northern outer wall are particularly stand out. The 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.
* '''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.
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* '''Adinath Temple''' - Dedicated to Jain saint, adinath
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* '''Adinath Temple''' - Dedicated to Jain saint, adinath, ple is lavishly embellished with sculpted figures, including yakshis.
* '''Hanuman Temple'''
* '''Hanuman Temple'''
* '''Brahma Temple''' - considered to be one of the oldest temples of Khajuraho made entirely in granite and sandstone, is dedicated to Vishnu.
* '''Brahma Temple''' - considered to be one of the oldest temples of Khajuraho made entirely in granite and sandstone, is dedicated to Vishnu.
Revision as of 16:19, 20 June 2007
Khajuraho
Khajuraho[1] is a small town located in the Bundelkhand region (Chhatarpur Distric) of Madhya Pradesh and is famous for groups of Hindu and Jain temples. These temples are a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their beautiful and erotic rock carvings.
Khajuraho's art is a manifestation of the essence of the philosophy of Indian aesthetics. The erotic sculptures of Khajuraho depicting Kama Sutra are unique in the world. These sculptures representing the indo-Aryan architecture, congeal in stone a lyrical paean to love and passion and reflect the Chandela dynasty's passion and immense appreciation for the forbidden art, paradoxically, in the land of Kama Sutra. They cannot be passed off as just erotic sculptures, the temples also have some of the most revered Gods of Hinduism. Khajuraho has the Vindhya range as a beautiful backdrop.
History
The temples of Khajuraho were built between 950 to 1050 A.D. during the Chandela dynasty of Central India (These rulers claimed descent from the moon, hence the name Chand-ela). After the decline of the Chandela dynasty in 13th century, the temples were left under dense date palm trees cover for many years, which gave the city of Khajuraho its name, Khajur in Hindi means a Date. In 1838, a British army engineer, Captain T.S. Burt rediscovered them, by that time, among 85 temples only 22 had survived.
Climate
Khajuraho's climate is quite extreme, with high volatility in day and night temperatures along with minimal rainfall. Summers are a hot at 45°C and winters pleasant at 27°C. Rainfall of
114 cms annually. With summer too hot to be advised, winter is a good time to visit. Also March, when the annual Dance Festival takes place. So the best time to visit Khajuraho is from September to March.
Get in
By plane
Khajuraho Airport (HJR) Tel:+91 7686 740-415 is located 5kms from the city, and is served by Indian Airlines [2] and Jet Airways [3] offering flights from Agra, Varanasi and Kathmandu. If one is not prepared for a 5 hr bumpy ride from Jhani to Khajuraho, then plane is the best mode.
By train
Indian Railways[4], state owned railways, has connectivity from all over India.
Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh) (225km) and Satna (Madhya Pradesh) (117km) are the convenient railheads to Khajuraho. Satna is on Allahabad-Mumbai main line while Jhansi is on the Delhi-Bangalore mainline. It takes around 6 hours to reach Jhansi from Delhi by train. The nearest rail junction is Harpalpur (94 km) and Mahoba (63 km).
By taxi/bus
Satna and Jhansi both are connected to Khajuraho by regular bus survice. It takes around 3 hours to reach Khajuraho from Satna or Jhansi by taxi, and 5-6 hours by bus. Generally taxis are recommended because the condition of buses is not good. There are daily bus services with Satna, Jhansi, Harpalpur, Chhatarpur, Mahoba, Sagar,Jabalpur, Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Panna, Agra, Allahabad and Varanasi.
Khajuraho To Satna (117km, 4hrs), Harpalpur (94km), Jhansi (172km )and Mahoba (61km). Khajuraho is located 600km (11hrs journey) south West of Delhi. There are bus services from Agra (12 hrs), Gwalior (9hrs) and Jhansi.
Get around
A good way to get around and see the temples as well the village life in Kharujaho is by bycicle, which you can easily rent in the bikeshops near the main temple complex, or bicycle rickshaw. They charge Rs.20 per day.
Be aware of the school 'teachers', 'principals' and 'students' which now are too much interested in your donation which hardly goes to the school itself.
Talk
Hindi is spoken widely, English should not be a problem for the tourists. Dutch, French are also spoken by the guides and at the Restaurants/hotels.
See
In every temple, there is the depiction of royalty, armies, wrestling, kinship, war, courtship, marriage, lovemaking, music and dancing, spiritual teachings, union, meditation, bliss, gods, goddesses, plants, animals and an abundance of all of human forms.
One of the Temples
Western Group of Temples
There is a entry fee of Rs. 10/- (for Indians) and USD $ 5 (for foreigners) to enter the Western Group of temples. All the temples are open from sunrise to sunset.
These are the richest and largest of all temple groups
Lakhmana Temple - The oldest and finest of the western group of temples, named after the ruler that built the temple. The A horizontal beam over the entrance of this beautiful Vaishnavite temple shows the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva with Lakshmi, Vishnus consort.
Kandariya Mahadeo Temple - This temple is decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art.
Devi Jagdamba Temple - Dedicated to the Goddess, devi, this is smaller and much more delicately proportioned temple and is home to some of the finest sculptures of Khajuraho.The garbha griha has a huge image of the Devi of the Universe (Jagdambi), though it appears to have started as a Vishnu temple. It has the usual three bands of sculptures, but the third and most uppermost of these houses some of the most erotic sculptures.
Chaunsat Yogini - The only granite temple in the Khajuraho group
Chitragupta Temple - is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya), it faces eastward to the rising sun
Matanageswara Temple - A temple dedicated to Shiva, a huge 8ft Lingam adorns the temple.
Eastern Group of Temples
Parsvanath Temple - Largest among the group, with exquisite carvings in detail. The sculptures on the northern outer wall are particularly stand out. The 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 Jain saint, adinath, ple is lavishly embellished with sculpted figures, including yakshis.
Hanuman Temple
Brahma Temple - considered to be one of the oldest temples of Khajuraho made entirely in granite and sandstone, is dedicated to Vishnu.
Vamana Temple - is the dwarf form of Lord Vishnu, located in a secluded place and is known for its simple architecture.
Javari Temple
Southern Group of Temples
Dulhadev Temple - The last temple of Khajuraho, lies to the south of Ghantai temple. The temple enshrines a Shivalingam
Beejamandal Temple - It is a ruined temple, and is near the Chattarbhuj Temple
Chattarbhuj Temple Or The Jatkari Temple - Built in 1100 A.D., is well-known for its architecture, and is also the only temple to be devoid of any erotic sculture. 3 Kms away from the Eastern Group. Facing West, have to take 10 steps to reach the sanctum. The huge 9 feet intricately carved Vishnu idolin Chaturbhuja (four-armed).
Light and Sound Show at Western group of temples - After visiting the temple complex is over, the sound and light show, narrated by the Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachhan, is held every evening.
Entry ticket Rs. 50/- for Indians and Rs. 200/- for foreigners.
Khajuraho Dance Festiva
Do
Buy
Iron, brass and stone sculptures depicting Kama Sutra poses are a specialty of Khajuraho and are available at the handicraft stores in the town( Bhamita Road and the mall inside Hotel Clarks).[5]
Market - A weekly bazaar is held at Rajinagar (5km from Khajuraho) on Tuesdays. The market is a good place to pick up silver and brass ware.
Eat
What
Madhya Pradesh cuisine. The area offers a good opportunity to try some local MP delicacies. In particular, the region is famous for its deserts, which are mainly sweet though there is also a spicy variety called namkeen. Popular deserts are cashew burfi, jalebi, lavang lata, kusli, khurma, moong dal ka halwa (a pudding made from green lentils), sabudana ki khichadi and shikanji.
Where
Paradise Restaurant. A small, but cozy restaurant offering delicious, and inexpensive meals. It is also very clean establishment with helpful and friendly staff. Try the breakfast specialty of mango pancakes.
Blue Sky restaurant. A rooftop dining area offering views over the Western group of temples - excellent Indian cuisine.
Siddhartha Hotel Restaurant, Located across from the Western group of temples.
La Dolce Vita, Jain Temples Road, Town center. An Italian-theme restaurant, rooftop dining and good, hearty breakfasts.
La Terraza Off Main Square, the western group of temples
Mediterranean Restaurant - a Greek delicacy café, Rooftop café serving western food and snacks.
Hotel Zen Jain Temples Road, Tel: (+91)-(07686)-274 228
Hotel Bharat Lodge - owned by the popular Paradise Restaurant management.
Hotel Yogi Lodge - The cheapest and best, very clean, Good breakfast, everything made-to-order, Address: opposite to the Western group of Temples Tel: (+91)- (07686)-274 158, 244 158 Email: yogi_sharma@yahoo.com Price Rs.80-250
Hotel Gem Palace Jain Temple Road Tel: (+91)-(07686)-244 100
Hotel Surya Jain Temple Road Tel: (+91)-(07686) 244 145
Hotel Jain Jain Temples Road Tel: (+91)-(07686) 242 352
The dialing code for Khajuraho is 07686. When calling from overseas, dial +91 7686 XXXX XXXX. If you have a non-working phone number with only 5 digits add "2"in front of it and try.
Mobile Phones
BSNL-CellOne GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz.(Tri-Band)
Airtel GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz.(Tri-Band)
Idea GSM 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz.(Tri-Band)
Reliance Mobile CDMA
Tata Indicom CDMA
Internet
Internet is available at most of the tourist locations, with Rs.25 per hour. The western group of temples has one of the highest density of internet cafes. Don't expect a broadband speed.
Post Office
India Post, Govt-run, office is located near the Bus Stand. Tel: (+91)-(07686)-274 022
Pincode/Post code is 471606
Stay Safe
Emergency Numbers
Police: Tel: (+91)-(07686)-274 032
Ambulance:
Fire:
Cope
Try not to give any money to children or beggers who swarm you at all the major tourist spots, this will only encourage them to make it their livlihood. They will try all the tricks of the trade to get money off you. Even a dollar or fifty cents given by the foreign tourists is big money here in MP.
Money Changers
Banks are better for changing foreign exchange, you won't get best rates at the airport or the hotels.
State Bank of India (open until 6 pm on Friday and 4 pm on Saturday), Opp. the Western group of temples.Tel: (+91)-(07686) - 272 373, 274 083
Canara Bank (also gives advances on Visa & MasterCard), Opp. the Western group of temples. (less crowded and close to SBI) Tel: (+91)-(07686) -274 071
Khajuraho Ashok. Tel: (+91)-(07686)-274 024
Things to carry
A torch light/flash light and a Map.
Get out
Panna National Park (25km) - Madla Gate - It's a 543 Sq. Km Tiger reserve on the banks of the Ken river. You can take an elephant ride into the tiger reserve, but the real fun is when you go out in a jeep on the tiger-hunt. One can easily spend a day or two at this park. Tel: (+91)-(07732)-252 135
Nachna -40kms from Panna was a famous city of the Nagvakataka and Gupta empire.
Ken Nature Trail - A 22 km , close to Raneh falls, is a jungle track, a natural beauty and imparts a knowledge of the surroundings.
Ajaygarh Fort - located 80 kms away from Khajuraho, is at a height of 688 meters above sea level and once the capital of the Chandelas during their decline.
