The Temples Of Khajuraho-Must Visit Holiday Destination

Khajuraho city is situated in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh state of India which is nearly 175Km (109 miles) southeast of Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh, and 620Km (385 miles) southeast of New Delhi state of India.

This city carries heritage of ancient monuments of a group of Hindu temples. They are one of the UNESCO world heritage sites in India. A World Heritage Site is an area selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance, and is legally protected by international treaties.

These temples were built by Chandela dynasty in around 950-1050. As per the historical records which shows that the Khajuraho temple site had 85 temples by the 12th century which were spread over 20 square kilometers and out of these monuments only about 25 temples are at present available as of now spread over 6 square kilometers.

How to reach Khajuraho?

Khajuraho city/town is located 175Km (109 miles) southeast of Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh, and 620Km (385 miles) southeast of New Delhi state of India. It can also be found in Google Map at 24°49’54.5″N 79°55’11.6″E.

Khajuraho is served by Civil Aerodrome Khajuraho with services to Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Mumbai as well as linked by the Indian Railways service.

The town is nearby National Highway 75, and about 50 kilometres from the city of Chhatarpur. Nearby cities well connected with Roads/National Highways/State Highways are Mahoba, Harpalpur, Panna, Satna, Rewa, Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra, Jabalpur and Bhopal.

City’s replica appears in 10th century’s Bhand Deva Temple in Rajasthan which was built in the style of the Khajuraho monuments and is often referred to as ‘Little Khajuraho‘.

Best time to visit Khajuraho

September to March is the best time to visit Khajuraho city. Khajuraho Dance Festival is held every year from 25th February to 2nd March which provides an exclusive and extravagant platform to showcase the Indian classical dance forms suchas Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Odisi, Kathkali etc.

>>> Top 10 Places To Visit West India

Group of Temples In Khajuraho

The temples of Khajuraho are divided into different groups for the purpose of convenience based on different directional areas such as Western groups of temples, Eastern group of temples and Southern group of temples.

1. Western group of temples – It is entirely depicts the fine art of Chandela architechture, dedicated to Hindu. Kandhariya Mahadev and Chaunsath Yogini temples are the exables of this group. Other temples of this group are Chitragupta which is dedicated to lord Sun and Vishwanath temple is dedicated to lord Brahma (A three headed Hindu God). Lakshamana temple and Jagdambika temples also come in this group.
2. Eastern group of temples – This includes mainly Jain temples.
3. Southern group of temples – This group includes Chaturbhuja temple and Duladeo temples.

Major Attractions of The Temples in Khajuraho

The main attraction of Khajuraho are as below-

1. Chausath Yogini Temple

The Chausath Yogini temple is a Devi temple among the temples of Khajuraho, it is one of the oldest temples at Khajuraho.

2. Lalguan Mahadeva Temple

The Lalguan Mahadeva temple is made up of granite stone and is also one of the oldest surviving temple dedicated to lord Shiva. It is dated to approximately 900 CE.

3. Brahma Temple

4. Lakshmana Temple

It is a 10th-century Hindu temple built by Yashovarman located in Khajuraho, India which is dedicated to lord Vishnu.

5. Varaha Temple

It enshrines a colossal monolithic image of Varaha, the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu in a purely animal form.

6. Parshvanatha Temple

It is a 10th-century Jain temple dedicated to lord Parshvanatha of Jainism.

7. Ghantai Temple

It is also belong to Jainism similar in style to the Parshvanatha temple, it was dedicated to the Jain tirthankara Rishabhanatha.

8. Mahishasuramardini Temple

Dedicated to Goddess Durga, one of the ancient temples of Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.

9. Vishvanatha Temple

It is a Hindu temple dedicated to lord Shiva, who is also known as “Vishvanatha” i.e. “Lord of the Universe”.

10. Matangeshvara temple

It is a Shiva temple among the temples of Khajuraho, the only Hindu temple that is still actively used for worship.

11. Jagadambika Temple

It is dedicated to goddess Parvati built during the 10th and the 12th centuries.

12. Chitragupta Temple

Built during 11th-century, the temple is dedicated to lord Surya which is very similar to the nearby Jagadambika temple.

13. Adinatha Temple

A Jain temple dedicated to the Jain tirthankara Adinatha.

14. Shantinatha Temple

A Jain temple located among the Jain temple cluster in eastern Khajuraho, dedicated to the Jain tirthankara Shantinatha.

15. Kandariya Mahadeva Temple

It is the largest and most ornate Hindu temple among the temples of Khajuraho, dedicated to lord Shiva.

16. Vamana Temple

A Hindu temple dedicated to Vamana, an avatar of the god Vishnu, built between 1050-75.

17. Javari Temple

A Hindu temple built between 975 and 1100 A.D. dedicated to lord Vishnu.

18. Chaturbhuj Temple

Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Chaturbhuj literally means “One who has four arms”.

19. Duladeo Temple

A Hindu temple among the temples of Khajuraho dedicated to the god Shiva in the form of a linga, which is deified in the sanctum. ‘Dulodeo’ means “Holy Bridegroom”. East facing temple is also known as “Kunwar Math” built during 1000–1150 AD. It is one of the recent temples built during the Chandela period.

20. Vishnu-Garuda and Ganesha Temple

Dedicated to lord Vishnu and Shiva respectively.

>>> Top 10 Places to Visit in Uttarakhand

If you feel any inconvenience then you can contact 0755-255-0588 which is a Helpline number of Madhya Pradesh tourism department of Government of Madhya Pradesh, India.

Image credit- Canva