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Words that usually describe Khajuraho Temples would be stunning erotica in stone mixed with finest temple art in the world – most seem to use only ‘baffling superlatives’ to express the great skill of the 10th to 11th century artisans - perplexed with resonating familiarity ‘why erotica in temples?’ Whilst there are 00’s of conjectures some questions do remain unanswered!

A must visit - if not in person through such frames - do explore Khajuraho Temples exceedingly artistic stonework that shows you a storyboard of life, a millennium ago – passionated expressions of gods, goddesses, warriors, dancers and real and mythological animals.

Khajuraho Group of Monuments are located in Madhya Pradesh, India and the complex is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. How to reach Khajuraho temple complex?

Khajuraho does occupy a significant role in the cultural history of the Chandelas who being great patrons of sculpture and arts dotted their empire with resplendent forts, palaces, tanks and temples.

What you should expect - Sensuous Surasundaris or Apsaras (heavenly nymphs) and Nayika’s (heroines) that have been carved with poses that swirl and dance - that would have most of us stumped with their suppleness – silent stances or expressions of the figurines that would help understand why ‘bhava’ is as critical in natya shastras and in a way make those scenes come alive – the expressive society that the hundreds of artisans lived in as they explicitly carved thousands of sculptures - exquisitely and outrageously portraying passion in the form of mithunas (eternal lovers and could be in pairs on threes or more - could be male female or only of a particular gender)

Almost as intriguing as the Khajuraho temples are - so is the question how did the Chandelas manage to turn their exhilarating dreams into stone especially its monumental size and numbers with richness of its sculptures in just 100 years?

Khajuraho Group of Monuments are located in Madhya Pradesh, India and the complex is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. How to reach Khajuraho temple complex?

The Kandariya-Mahadev temple is the most photographed and is considered the high point of Chandela architecture. Temple has intricate and detailed carvings in stone of female beauty with amorous expressions (Apsaras, Surasundaris) and numerous scenes of astounding sexual acrobatics as compared to any other Khajuraho temple.

Its Shikhara is considered to be a symbolic Shiv linga and along with its subsidiary shikaras together - they seem to resemble mount Kailasha peaks - and seem to be rise into infinity. You will find leaping vyalas almost looking as though hoping to escape (vyalas are mythical creatures that are half-dragon, half-horse, );

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is a part of Khajuraho Group of Monuments found in Madhya Pradesh, India and is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. How to reach Khajuraho temple complex?

The exterior surfaces of the Kandariya-Mahadev temple is entirely covered with sculptures in horizontal ribbon like panels carved with figurines gleaming rhythmically in the sun.

Niches seem to ooze with passion with finely carved maithuna or single male or female figurines in almost reversed yogic postures. You will also find ornate carvings of Ganesha as well as of Saptamatrikas - Brahmi seated on a swan + Maheshwari with three eyes seated on bull + Kumari + Vaishnavi seated on Garuda + Varahi (boar faced) ; Narasimhi (lion headed) + Chamunda (the slayer of demons Chanda and Munda). Apart from carvings of many deities, the one of Agni, the god of fire is arresting.

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is a part of Khajuraho Group of Monuments found in Madhya Pradesh, India and is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. How to reach Khajuraho temple complex?

Lakshmana Temple’s architectural design elements are similar to those of the Viswanath temple and Kandariya-Mahadev temple and it is dedicated to Vishnu.

Apart from the most erotic carvings you will also find carvings of battalions of soldiers on the frieze around the base depicting the mighty Chandela’s who were perpetually at war. Other carvings include musicians, hunters, camels, horses and elephants.

Do explore the Varaha Temple near the Laksmana temple - that has tall sandstone carving of Varaha avatar of Vishnu (Boar avatar) along with a pantheon of gods. Lakshmi Temple is also nearby and is usually locked,

Lakshman Temple is a part of Khajuraho Group of Monuments found in Madhya Pradesh, India and is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. How to reach Khajuraho temple complex?

Took about 20+ years to build the Lakshmana Temple and is arguably the best preserved of all the Khajuraho temples with a spectacularly carved garbha griha. This still of Lakshman Temple at Khajuraho should most definitely inspire an in person visit.

The Lakshmana Temple, built in 954 CE, is dedicated to Vishnu and the shrine has three faces that of the lion, man and a boar. You would find carvings of dancers, life in those times, orgies as well marching armies on its base. The female figurines in the bracket are simply exquisite.

Lakshman Temple is a part of Khajuraho Group of Monuments found in Madhya Pradesh, India and is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. How to reach Khajuraho temple complex?

Devi Jagadamba now dedicated to Kali was originally dedicated to Vishnu and then Parvati.

Devi Jagadambika temple is an exquisitely ornate temple with carvings of Surasundaris (heavenly nymphs), Maithunas frolicking (pairs of men and women). Architecturally, it is very similar to the nearby Chitragupta temple and its design seems to be simpler than that of the Kandariya-Mahadev Temple.

Devi Jagdambi Temple is a part of Khajuraho Group of Monuments found in Madhya Pradesh, India and is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. How to reach Khajuraho temple complex?

This 12-pillared shrine dedicated to Shiva is a superlative example of Chandela architecture. The Vishvanath Temple is stunning with its carved figures continuing all the way to the highest levels on its Shikharas and was designed as a Panchayatana complex where one main shrine is surrounded by four smaller shrines - only two of the smaller shrines survive today.

The base of the Vishvanath temple with its many niches is sculpted - depicting Saptamatrikas or the seven goddesses, Parvati and a dancing Ganesha.

The exterior part at Vishvanath temple just above the base has three bands depicting sensuous Surasundaris looking adoringly into mirrors, applying sindoor on their forehead, kajal in their eyes, playing flute, cuddling babies or writing letters. Like other temples it has carvings of miniature elephants, horses, camels, musicians, dancers and warriors in its lowest frieze. A large statue of Nandi faces the temple.

Vishvanath Temple is a part of Khajuraho Group of Monuments found in Madhya Pradesh, India and is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. How to reach Khajuraho temple complex?

Adinatha Temple is a jain temple dedicated to Tirthankara Adinatha although its exterior walls also feature Hindu deities. The shrine of Adinatha is made of black stone and has a three line inscription that helps to date the temple to 1158 AD.

The exterior walls of the Adinath temple have three bands adorned with sculptures of surasundaris, flying vidyadhara couples, vyalas (mythical creatures), dancers with musicians. It's niches have sculptures of the Jain Yakshinis - Chakreshvari , Padmavati and Ambika. Do find the sculpture of the four armed Yakshini Chakreshvari sitting on a Garuda holding a chakra; a Yaksha holding a money bag and a cup and a sitting sculpture of Adinatha with an ushnisha on his head.

Adinatha Temple is a part of Khajuraho Group of Monuments found in Madhya Pradesh, India and is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. How to reach Khajuraho temple complex?

The temple is dedicated to the 23rd Tirthankara Parsvanatha of the Jain religion - it is believed to have been built between 950 to 970 and is known for its sculptural audacity.

Parsvanatha Temple is the largest of the Jain temples and it is believed that the temple was originally dedicated to Adinath, now houses a black shrine of Parsvanatha that was substituted about a century ago. An inscription on the mahamandapa doorway dates it to 950–70.

Parsvanatha Temple is a part of Khajuraho Group of Monuments found in Madhya Pradesh, India and is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. How to reach Khajuraho temple complex?

The Javari Temple is a hindu temple built between 1075 to 1100 that is dedicated to Vishnu Built in Nirandhar style the temple is visible from Vamana Temple or is at a short distance from it.

Javari Temple is a part of Khajuraho Group of Monuments found in Madhya Pradesh, India and is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. How to reach Khajuraho temple complex?

The Matangeshvara temple is an active or living Shiva temple. It is located among the Western group of temples at Khajuraho.

Interesting local myth - Matanga sage manifested into a linga and curbs Kamadeva or the god of love. Sage had hermitages in Khajuraho, Kedarnath, Varanasi and Gaya - and all these sites have Matangeshvara temples.

Matangeshvara Temple is a part of Khajuraho Group of Monuments found in Madhya Pradesh, India and is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. How to reach Khajuraho temple complex?

Chitragupta Temple faces east or the rising sun and has an imposing deity – God Surya as high as five feet driving a seven horse chariot. The temple has some intricate carvings of Apsaras and Surasundaris (celestial nymphs), elephant fights and hunting scenes, figures of couples engaged in maithuna and a 11-headed Vishnu.

Architecturally, it is very similar to the nearby Devi Jagadambi temple.

Chitragupta Temple is a part of Khajuraho Group of Monuments found in Madhya Pradesh, India and is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. How to reach Khajuraho temple complex?

Chaturbhuj temple is a hindu temple built in 1100 AD and dedicated to Vishnu. Built by Yasovarman of the Chandela Dynasty the temple has a tall four-armed Vishnu idol.

This is the only temple in Khajuraho that lacks erotic sculptures.

Chaturbhuj Temple is a part of Khajuraho Group of Monuments found in Madhya Pradesh, India and is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. How to reach Khajuraho temple complex?

Pratapeswar Temple in Khjuraho is found near the Vishvanath Temple and is a hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.

Pratapeswar Temple is a part of the Western Group of Temples at Khajuraho found in Madhya Pradesh, India and is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. How to reach Khajuraho temple complex?

Duladeo Temple is believed to be the last great temple built in Khajuraho. Duladeo Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva has a Saptaratha plan or simplified a seven chariot plan.

The figurines carved in the temple have soft expressive features unlike other temples and its walls are also covered with carvings of Shiv Parvati.

Duladeo Temple is a part of Khajuraho Group of Monuments found in Madhya Pradesh, India and is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. How to reach Khajuraho temple complex?

What to definitely explore at Khajuraho temples? Notable temples are the Lakshmana, Kandariya Mahadeva, Matangeshwara, Jagadamba, Chitragupta, Varaha and Vishwanatha in the Western Group; the Vamana, Javari and Ghantai Temples of the Eastern Group and the Parsvanatha, Adinatha and Shantinatha Temples of the Southern Group.

How to reach Khajuraho temples by air? Which is the nearest airport to Khajuraho Temples?
Khajuraho has a domestic airport and is well connected with Varanasi and Delhi amongst other cities in India. Khajuraho Airport is at a distance of a bout 4.5 km from Khajuraho temples.

How to reach Khajuraho temples by train? Which is the nearest railway station to Khajuraho Temples?
Khajuraho railway station is well connected to many cities in India including Delhi and Varanasi. Khajuraho train station is at a distance of about 6 km from Khajuraho Temple Complex.

Best time to visit Khajuraho temples is between the cooler months of December to February.

Distances from Khajuraho to various places
Khajuraho > [24 km] > Raneh Falls
Khajuraho > [99 km] > Panna National Park
Khajuraho > [392 km] > Varanasi