WARNING:
Khajuraho temples have sculptures displaying nudity and sex. Therefore it is
not advisable to take children there.
KHAJURAHO TRAVEL AND TOURISM OVERVIEW:
Khajuraho also known as the "The temple city" is famous throughout the world
for its exquisitely carved temples in stones. It is the evidence of the exotic
architecture and sculpture during the Chandela dynasty in the 9th and 10th
century. Out of the 85 temples that were built in a short span of 100 years,
only 20 of them have survived today to reveal to the world their great artistic
wonder.
Khujuraho derives its name from the Khajur tree (the date palm tree) which are
found in abundance in this area. Today Khajuraho is a small village but thousand
of years ago it was a big city, ruled by the Chandelas, the Rajput Kings. It is
visited by thousands of tourists each year from all around the world to admire
its exquisitively carved temples in stone. Erotic sculptures featuring Apsaras
and mithunas (couples) is the main theme of these temples depicting spiritual
and physical love in the form of finely carved statues.
BRIEF HISTORY:
It is believed that a woman named Hemwati, daughter of a Brahmin priest, was
seduced by the moon-god while bathing in a forest pool, resulting in the birth
of Chandravarman (founder of the Chandela dynasty). Chandravarman, when
established as a ruler, had a dream in which his mother requested him to build
temples that would reveal all the aspects of human passion and erotic fantasies
that would bring about the realization of the emptiness of human desire.
Inspired by this Chandravarman built these temples of human love and passion.
LOCATION:
These famous
Khajuraho temples are located in the Bundelkhand region of
Madhya Pradesh, India. Khajuraho is 595 km (370 miles) south-east of Delhi.
CLIMATE:
Khajuraho has a tropical climate, a typical continental type of climate with
summers being hot (47-21 degree Celsius) and winters being cold (32-4 degree
Celsius) with an annual rainfall of approximately 114cm. (July - September). The
ideal time to be in Khajuraho is October to March.
