#TravelIndiaDiaries : The beautiful and magnificent Khajuraho

By Aakriti

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page”  - Saint Augustine

Hello everyone,

Thanks for appreciating my Hampi Travelogue. 

Since it was a 19-day tour, I will present to you some more amazing places I visited, my experiences and some clicks J

Although we visited several places across Central and Southern India, being a student of art and art history, there were a few places which really inspired and mesmerized me. So, as a part of my #TravelIndiaDiaries, here’s the piece on

THE BEAUTIFUL AND MAGNIFICENT KHAJURAHO

Indian Travel Blog / India Travel Files : The Kandariya Mahadev Temple in Khajuraho 

This was one place I got to see one of the best carving skills of super talented architects and craftmen of Ancient India. The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a group of Hindu and Jain temples in Madhya Pradesh, India. About 175 kilometres southeast of Jhansi which is in Uttar Pradesh, they are one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. The temples are famous for their Nagara-style architectural symbolism and their erotic sculptures. You can read more about them on the official site of the Archeological Survey of India here 

Indian Travel Blog / India Travel Files : The sculptures outside Jagdambi Temple in Khajuraho 

Incidentally, Khajuraho monuments are quite famous, or rather even infamous, for their erotic sculptures. What most people wonder is why its theme is based upon erotic images and kamasutra details. But it surely tells us about the social thoughts of that era, when such things may not have been a taboo. It's for a reason, and it is said to be meant to attract the public so that they visit and eventually worship the main deity inside the temple.

Indian Travel Blog / India Travel Files : The monolithic sculpture of Varaha, one of the reincarnations of Lord Vishnu, holding Bhudevi or Goddess Earth 

Khajuraho was built during the rule of Rajput Chandela dynasty. The building activity started almost immediately after the rise of their power. Most temples were built during the reigns of the Hindu kings Yashovarman and Dhanga. Yashovarman's legacy is best exhibited by Lakshmana temple. Vishwanatha temple best highlights King Dhanga's reign. The largest and currently most famous surviving temple is Kandariya Mahadeva built in the reign of King Ganda from 1017-1029 CE. The temple inscriptions suggest many of the currently surviving temples were complete between 970 to 1030 CE, with few more temples completed in decades thereafter.

Indian Travel Blog / India Travel Files : Friends and me outside the Kandariya Mahadev Temple in Khajuraho 

What was fascinating was the fact that here, in this place, there are just about 15000 people residing, almost isolated I would call it. However, since it has become a famous tourist site, as one enters the city one would see a row of hotels. I was staying with a group of 43 people at Hotel Payal, a Madhya Pardesh Tourism Corporation hotel. It was a very neat and well kept hotel. The best part was that it was at a distance of 5 minutes bus drive to the main sights and temples. You can get more details here 

Indian Travel Blog / India Travel Files : One of the statues in Khajuraho 

I completely enjoyed sight seeing at these sights. The groups of temples has another major attraction in the evening. It’s the wonderful Sound and Light show where you can hear the voice of Bollywood legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan. The whole place just lights up to stories and tales of valour, love and royalty in the evening. For anyone living in India, I suggest visit this place atleast once and be in awe of the amazing Indian architecture.

Till next,

Enjoy this….

Indian Travel Blog / 'Going back in time' selfie ;-) 

Indian Travel Blog / India Travel Files : Outside the Lakshmana temple, Khajuraho 

Indian Travel Blog / My tourmates in Khajuraho