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MADHYA PRADESH
Khajuraho
 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.
Places to see
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
Air : Regular services link Khajuraho with Delhi, Agra and
Varanasi.
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.
Road : Khajuraho is connected by regular buses with Satna,
Harpalpur, Jhansi and Mahoba.
Orcha
Orcha’s grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in tine;
a rich legacy to the ages. For, on this medieval city, the hand
of time has rested lightly and the palaces and temples built by
its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of
their pristine perfection.
Orcha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput chieftain
Rudra Pratap who chose this stretch of land along the Betwa River
as an ideal site for his capital. Of the succeeding rulers, the
most notable was raja Bir Singh Ju Deo who built the exquisite Jehangir
Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatries. Strewn around
the area are little shrines and memorials, each with its own poignant
history, each contributing to the nostalgic beauty that is Orcha.
Places to see
 Jehangir
Mahal : Built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo in the 17th century to
commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Orcha. Its strong lines
are counterbalanced by delicate chhatries and treillis work, the
whole conveying an effect of extraordinary richness.
Raj Mahal : Situated to the right of the quardrangle, this
palace was built by Madhukar Shah, the deeply religious predecessor
of Bir Singh Ju Deo. The plain exteriors, crowned by chhatries ,
give way to interiors with exquisite murals, boldly colourful, on
a variety of religious themes.
Rai Praveen Mahal : Poetess and musician, Rai Praveen was
the beautiful paramour of Raja Indramani (1672 - 76), and was sent
to Delhi on the orders of Emperor Akbar, who was captivated by her.
Skilfully carved niches alow light inti the Mahal which has a main
hall and smaller chambers.
Ram Raja Temple : This palace - turned - temple has a charming
legend attached to it. Today, with its soaring spires and palatial
architecture, the temple is surely one of the most unusual in India.
Chaturbhuj Temple : Built upon a massive stone platform
and reached by a steep flight of steps, the temple was specially
constructed to enshrine the image of Ram that remained in the Ram
Raja Temple.
Laxminarayan Temple : A flagstone path links this temple
with the Ram Raja Temple. The style is an interesting synthsis of
fort and temple moulds.
Phool Bagh : Laid out as a formal garden, this complex testifies
to the refined aesthetic qualities of the Bundelas. A central row
of fountains culminates in an eight - pillared palace - pavilion.
Dinman Hardaul’s Palace : Hardaul was a son of Bir
Singh Ju Deo, and died to prove his innocence to his elder brother
Jhujhar who cast doubts on his relationship with his consort.
Sunder Mahal : This small palace, almost in ruins today,
is till a place of pilgrimage for Muslims, Dhurjban, a son of Jhujhar,
embraced Islam when he wed a Muslim girl at Delhi.
Chhatries (Cenotaphs) : There are fourteen ‘chhatries’
or memorials to the rulers of Orchha, grouped along the Kanchana
Ghat of the river Betwa.
Shahid Smarak : Commemorates the great the great freedom
fighter Chandrashekhar Azad who lived and worked in hiding in Orchha
during 1926 and’27.
Access
Rail : Nearest railhead at Jhansi (16Km), on the Mumbai
- Delhi and Delhi - Chennai main lines. All major mail and express
trains stop at Jhansi.
Road : Orchha lies on the Jhansi - Khajuraho road. Regular
bus services connect Orchha with Jhansi.
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