Khajuraho is a picturesque village in the state of Madhya Pradesh of Central India. This village is the abode of unique, richly carved and astoundingly glorious temples, renowned for their inimitable architecture and fabulous sculptures. The artistic minded and imaginative kings of the “Chandela” ... Read review
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Advantages: The depiction of human moods Disadvantages: None
Khajuraho is a picturesque village in the state of Madhya Pradesh of Central India. This village is the abode of unique, richly carved and astoundingly glorious temples, renowned for their inimitable architecture and fabulous sculptures. The artistic minded and imaginative kings of the “Chandela” dynasty, during 950-1050 A.D, built these temples and presented them as a gift to the world. Those kings probably believed that the fulfillment ... ...so has the art of Khajuraho and why the Chandela kings had chosen to engrave the art of love may be justified thus: In Indian books on performing arts of music, dance and drama; and temple making, it is said that the purpose of art is to evoke in the beholders a taste for a particular human emotion. The nine human emotions listed are erotic love, humour, compassion, anger, courage, fear, disgust, wonder and peace. So on the walls of these temples, ... more
Khajuraho is a picturesque village in the state of Madhya Pradesh of Central India. This village is the abode of unique, richly carved and astoundingly glorious temples, renowned for their inimitable architecture and fabulous sculptures. The artistic minded and imaginative kings of the “Chandela” dynasty, during 950-1050 A.D, built these temples and presented them as a gift to the world. Those kings probably believed that the fulfillment of the desires on this earth was the way for the ultimate liberation of the soul, “Nirvana”. This theory, therefore, might justify the theme of “erotic love” of the sculptures found on the exterior walls of the temples. The beautifully carved images on stone depict men and women engaged in their daily lives of love, desire and conjugal union, in various positions.
Only 22 temples of the 85 built in those days withstood the rage of time and in the year 1838, Captain T S Burt discovered them from an abandoned state. He categorized them as “extremely indecent and offensive”, as he could not fathom why the sculptors had explicitly selected the theme of love in their carvings. Every art has a purpose and so has the art of Khajuraho and why the Chandela kings had chosen to engrave the art of love may be justified thus: In Indian books on performing arts of music, dance and drama; and temple making, it is said that the purpose of art is to evoke in the beholders a taste for a particular human emotion. The nine human emotions listed are erotic love, humour, compassion, anger, courage, fear, disgust, wonder and peace. So on the walls of these temples, the artists have carved very splendidly those images to evoke in the audience an experience of the subtle moods of love, various and different from one another, and in turn they instill an emotion of wonder and not “erotic love”.
These temples are the second most visited after the Great Taj Mahal.
How to reach here *************** There is an airport in Khajuraho with convenient daily flights from Agra and Delhi. Twice a week there are flights from Bombay also. Those who wish to travel by train can do so from the railheads of Jahnsi, Satna, and Mahoba. Buses also ply to Khajuraho from these places.
Climate ****** It has hot summers and cold winters and the best time to visit this place is from July to March.
Places to see ************* The temples are divided into three groups Eastern, Western and Southern, each of them having breathtaking architectural features and sculptures.
There is an archaeological museum displaying sculptures and panels in stone and huge statues.
There is a sprawling complex in the centre of Khajuraho where craftsmen from all over India work to produce handicrafts of various ethnicities, for sale.
Kalinjar Fort: About 100 km from the temple complex, this is a fort built in the 10th century.
Dhubela Museum: About 65 km from Khajuraho, this is another old fort which has an exceptional anthology of art works.
Pipraghat: There is an excursion spot, 24 km away. Boating and swimming can be done in the KEN River.
Pandav Falls: This is situated at 34 km away. It is a scenic waterfall into a valley of the shape of a bowl, on the river KEN.
Ken Gharial Sanctuary: About 24 km from the temples, this is a home for crocodiles.
Benisagar Lake and dam: This is a beautiful picnic spot 11km from Khajuraho. Boating is famous here.
Ranguan Lake: 25 km from Khajuraho, this is another scenic picnic spot with boating facilities.
Panna National Park: This is 32 km from Khajuraho. On the banks of river KEN, this picturesque park has jungles housing a variety of species of wild life like tigers, leopards, wolves, bluebills, etc.
Hotels ***** There are many hotels in Khajuraho of different ranges. Some of them are:
De-Luxe: Jass Oberoi, Clarks Bundela, Taj Chandela, Holiday Inn
Medium: Casa De William, Hotel Payal, Hotel Jhankar, Hotel Zen
Budget: Hotel Gem Palace, Hotel Jain, Hotel Lakeside, Hotel Surya, Hotel Sunset View.
A few more words: I had visited these temples in the year 1968 with my friends, when I was a bachelor. I could only identify the sculptures as images depicting erotic love. But when I visited them in April this year, with a more matured mind having seen the world with a broader outlook, those images evoked in me an awe, a bliss and a wonder and I saluted those kings and the artists of the past glorious days for their magnanimous vision and imagination.
If you plan to visit India, don't forget to visit this place of tranquility. You will be really thrilled with the experience.
Advantages: Clean, comfortable, close to the porn! Disadvantages: Limited Dining, crap bar and dirty lobby toilets
Ok, that's basic and uncalled for, but face it, 90% of people visiting Khajuraho, 370 miles from Delhi in India, are doing so to see the "erotic sculptures". The other 10% are those who have convinced themselves they have come to see tantric yoga sculptures. You say tomayto, I say tomarto...
And "porn" it is. There's sculptures of one-on-one, one-on-two, masturbation, bestiality, voyeurism, gang-bangs and more. There is boy-girl, boy-girl-girl, boy-horse and all in beautiful detail. (These words should increase my google hits !!) The stone sculptured girls are feminine and shapely and the men are all well endowed (comments, ladies?) and the carving is accurate to bracelets, anklets, sari hems and even maternity stretch marks!
So when you want to go see these, where do you stay? There are several so-called international chains ...
Advantages: Best way to travel in India Disadvantages: Nothing special..
-Ranthambhore national park ( we were lucky to see tigers first time in our life) - Jaipur - Agra ( the Taj Mahal, its so beautiful) - Gwalior fort - Orchha - Khajuraho ( kamasutra temples ) - next day we took flight to Varanasi ( so different then any other town of India, quite different feeling, we had great experience to see all the ghats on Ganges by boat) - Train to Delhi in first class air-con cabin.
All the arrangements like hotels, safaris, boating in Ganges, train, flight, assistance?..everything was perfect. It was nice to deal with so professional people like Raju. He is honest and professional. It was surprising to know that his working team over hundred people to organize all the tours.
Anyway!!! I love this trip!
We did a mix of adventure with big cities to small places and it was a wonderful, interesting blend.
I want to return ...
chrisrameti 20.12.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of General: India
Advantages: Best way to Travel in India Disadvantages: Nothing
-Ranthambhore national park ( we were lucky to see tigers first time in our life) - Jaipur - Agra ( the Taj Mahal, its so beautiful) - Gwalior fort - Orchha - Khajuraho ( kamasutra temples ) - next day we took flight to Varanasi ( so different then any other town of India, quite different feeling, we had great experience to see all the ghats on Ganges by boat) - Train to Delhi in first class air-con cabin.
All the arrangements like hotels, safaris, boating in Ganges, train, flight, assistance?..everything was perfect. It was nice to deal with so professional people like Raju. He is honest and professional. It was surprising to know that his working team over hundred people to organize all the tours.
Anyway!!! I love this trip!
We did a mix of adventure with big cities to small places and it was a wonderful, interesting blend.
I want to return ...
chrisrameti 20.12.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: not helpful Review of Rajastan (India)
