Khajuraho is much different from any other temple city of
India. It is not about religion and worshipping and deities.
The temples of Khajuraho are instead famous for the eroticism
etched on its walls in the form of sculptures. An amalgamation
of science and art of architecture, these 10th-11th century
temples have a very interesting legend behind them that
connects them to the origin of Chandela dynasty. It is said
that in a fit of passion and lust, the Moon God seduced and
ravaged a beautiful Brahmin girls known as Hemvati, resulting
in the birth of Chandravarman (the founder of the Chandela
dynasty). Later, Chandravarman had a dream where his mother
requested him to make a temple, which would reveal all aspects
of the treasure of passion and erotic fantasy to the world.
Thus he brought an artistic revolution by building the famous
Khajuraho temples, in the town, which was his capital. Some
people also believe these erotic art forms to be the visual
depiction of Kamasutra, art of sex or the relations between
Shiva and Parvati, the divine couple. Khajuraho temples got
lost into obscurity and were only discovered by chance but
they quickly became India's second most favored tourist
destination after Taj Mahal. This temple complex is perhaps
the largest group of medieval temples. Other than eroticism,
these sculptures also depict other refined courtly
accomplishments such as music and dance. Only 22 temples have
survived out of the original 85 temples. It displays one of
the most unique stone-carving work and was declared a World
Heritage Site in 1986.
The two distinctive group of temples of Khajuraho have dozens
of souvenir stalls, hotels and restaurants at their entrances
from where one can buy mementos and gifts for their loved ones
back at home. Since it is the second most visited tourist
destination in India (after Taj Mahal), it is not surprising
to see signboards posted here in different languages as little
boys efficient in number of languages peddling handicrafts and
mineral water. It is even surprising to note how these little
peddlers switch from Spanish to German to French, trying to
sell a trinket to you almost forcibly.
It took more than 200 years to complete elaborately carved
Khajuraho temples that are planned in a similar pattern. Built
in the central Indian temple architectural style, the
uninhibited and graceful erotic sculptures of Khajuraho
temples are known for their paramount architectural balance
and exquisiteness. The temple plans range from the simple ones
to the most inspired ones. The lovely temples can be divided
into three broad groups, namely, the Eastern group, the
Southern group and the Western group. However, the Western
group is not only the largest one but also the one, which is
most easily accessible.
1. The Eastern Group takes
in five isolated sub-group of temples situated in and around
the present town of Khajuraho. Along with the three
Brahmanical temples more commonly spoken of as temples of
Brahma, Vamana and Javari, the three Jain temples of the
deities Ghantai, Adinath and Parsvanath fall under this group.
2. The Southern Group is
situated at the most distant location and includes mainly the
two temples of Duladeo and Chaturbhuja, which are situated
near and across the Khudarnala.
3. The Western Group is
the largest of all the temple groups of Khajuraho. It is not
compact and located in the center but also include the most
renowned and noteworthy monuments built during the reign of
the Chandela rulers. They are also known to have been
maintained well by the Archaeological Survey of India and the
lush green lawns surrounding them with multihued shrums and
fragrant blossoms add to their beauty. The most prominent
temples of the group are the Lakshmana Temple, the
Matangesvara Temple and the Varaha Temple that are a part of a
single complex, the Visvanatha and Nandi temples situated near
the above-mentioned complex and the Chitragupta, Jagadambi and
the Kandariya Mahadeo temples a little to the west of the
complex.
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