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KHAJURAHO
INTRODUCTION
 In
the temple architecture of India, the Khajuraho complex remains
unique. One thousand years ago, under the generous and artistic
patronage of the Chandela Rajput Kings of Central India, 85 temples,
magnificent in form and richly carved, came up on one site, near
the village of Khajuraho. The temples of Khajuraho 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. The
Khajuraho temples were built in the short span of a hundred years,
from 950 - 1050 AD in truly inspired burst of creativity. Of the
original temples, 22 have survived till today to constitute one
of the world's great artistic wonders. The creators of Khajuraho
claimed descent from the moon and the legend behind the founding
of this great dynasty and the temples is a fascinating one.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS IN KHAJURAHO
Kandariya Mahadeo : The largest, most typical Khajuraho
temple, it soars 31 m high. Dedicated to Shiva, the sanctum sanctorum
enshrines a lingam.
Chitragupta Temple : Facing eastwards to the rising sun,
the temple is dedicated to the sungod, Surya. The image of the deity
in the inner sanctum is particularly imposing: five feet high and
driving a horse - drawn chariot.
Vishwanath Temple : A three - headed image of Brahma is
enshrined in this temple.
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.
Matangeswara 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.
Parsvanth Temple : The group's largest Jain temple and exquisite
in detail. The sculptures on the northern outer wall are particularly
noteworthy.
Adinath Temple : Dedicated to the Jain saint, Adinath,
the temple is lavishly embellished with sculpted figures, including
yakshis.
Duladeo Temple : Dedicated to Shiva, the apsara and ornamented
figures ate the temple's most striking features.
Chaturbhuj Temple : This temple has a massive, intricately
- carved image of Vishnu in the sanctum.
ACCESS
BY AIR - Regular services link Khajuraho with Delhi, Agra
and Varanasi.
BY RAIL - The nearest rail heads are Harpalpur (94 Km)
and Mahoba (61Km). Jhansi (172 Km) is a convenient rail head for
those travelling from Delhi and Chennai, Satna (117 Km), on the
Mumbai - Allahabad line of the Central Railway for those coming
from Mumbai, Kolkata and Varanasi.
BY ROAD - Khajuraho is connected by regular buses with Satna,
Harpalpur, Jhansi and Mahoba.
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