Temples of Khajuraho

Central India’s temple architects and sculptors have passed through the classic and mannerist stages to the most flamboyant baroque and are at the zenith of their artistic power under the Chandela kings. What did they choose to represent on the 85 temples (now only 25 temples are remaining) which once clustered around the now a small town called Khajuraho? God - Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, and the Jain saints (tirthankars) are lavishly honored. But however concerned they may have been with heaven (the Chandela kings themselves claimed the moon as their ancestor), their real interest was in life. And not only the life of the hermit, of feasting and music and dancing; though all are present in their sculpture, but also the side of life which Westerners tend to discuss in whispers or not at all. Here, portrayed with no false modesty and even less prudery, are handsome men and voluptuous women immortalized in stone for all to see in the most intimate and extraordinarily varied postures of sensual love. These forthright sculptures for which there is probably no equivalent in the world have naturally produced comment ranging from “pure pornography” to plain “pure”; a religious expression of a mystical principle”. The real key to understanding Khajuraho must be found somewhere between the two. But let the tourist be warned: some of the decorative sculpture on these temples is too revealing for the excessively innocent; too provoking for the prurient minded. For those who are truly adult, with all the word implies, the rewards of a trip to Khajuraho will be rich. Here is found the summit of Hindu sculpture: sinuous, twisting, voluptuous forms; human and divine, throbbing with life and executed with consummate skill. The temples of Khajuraho are grouped into three clusters- western, eastern & southern. Temples of Western Group are famous for their scale, architecture and sculpture. Kandariya Mahadev Temple is the largest one. Every day sound and light show is organized here. Every year in last week of February Khajuraho Dance Festival is organized by Madhya Pradesh tourism department. This week-long festival is performed in the vicinity of LakshmanTemple and Chitragupt Temple.