Stately Khajuraho, expressing the love and heritage

Khajuraho, an ancient city located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh is known for it's magnificent temples and intricate sculptures. These sculptures are built in the medieval period by the Chandela Dynasty, the UNESCO site of the 'Khajuraho Group of Monuments' is famous for its Nagara-Style architecture and graceful sculptures of female protagonists of Indian mythologies called 'Nayikas' and the Hindu deities. 

Features of the sculptures carved on the temples

Built between 950-1050 AD, these temples represent various forms of meditation, spiritual teachings, and relationships, through stimulating art. The first recorded mention of the Khajuraho group of temples comes from the written archives of Abu Rihan al-Biruni in 1022 CE and the well-known traveler from Arab, Ibn Batuta. The majority of these temples are made up of sandstones of different colors except the Chausathyogini, Brahma, and Lalguan-Mahadeva temples which are made from granite. These stones are likely to have been obtained from the Panna quarries on the eastern side of the river Ken.

The Khajuraho Group of Temples is divided into three groups: Eastern, Western and Southern. Beautiful, detailed, and expressive, the sculptures of the Khajuraho temples will leave you in awe and wonder.

Here are some of the best places to visit in and around Khajuraho that you must add to your bucket list

The Kandariya Mahadev Temple

This world famous temple has approximately 870 majestic sculptures carved on the interior and exterior walls. The sanctum has beautiful floral carvings and the interior has a Shivlinga. Three sections of the outer wall depict statues of gods, goddesses, and mythological creatures. There are many other temples and sites like Chaunsath Yogini, Chitragupta, Vishwanath and Lakshmana temples in the western group. 

Parsvanath Temple

This is the biggest Jain temple among the eastern group which is meticulously detailed. The Parsvanath sculpture was placed in the year 1860. On the northern exterior wall, the sculptures are quite interesting and depict ordinary life in artistic ways. Within, a throne is positioned in front of the bull symbol of Adinath, the first Tirthankara. 

Sound & Light Show

This enthralling sound and light show showcase the lives and times of the great Chandela Kings and the historical chronicles of the magnificent temples built in the tenth and eleventh centuries. The 50-minute spectacle, which is projected on the complex of the Western Group of temples, is performed in Hindi and English every evening. The Indian megastar Amitabh Bachchan narrates the tale of Khajuraho in his pre-recorded mesmerizing voice.

State Museum of Tribal and Folk Arts

At the Chandela Cultural Complex, a magnificent collection of masterpieces of tribal and traditional arts and antiquities from all around Madhya Pradesh are on exhibit. The State Museum's collection includes around 500 art pieces of terracotta, metalwork, woodwork, tribal and folk art, tattoos, jewelry, and masks. The museum is open from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m., on all days except Mondays and government holidays.

Raneh Falls

This fall is located on the magnificent Ken river. Here, the primary attraction is the 5-kilometer-long, 100-foot-deep Canyon of Crystalline Granite. This granite features pink, red, hazy white, green, and grey shades. 

Panna National Park

Panna National Park, which stretches along the Ken River, is a 30-minute drive from Khajuraho. Other than the tiger, various magnificent species such as the leopard, wolf, and crocodile may be seen here. One can also sight Herds of Blue Cow(Nilgai), Chinkara, and Sambar in Panna National Park. There is a marvellous Pandav Falls nearby.  

Tomb of Maharaja Chhatrasal

Maharaja Chhatrasal (4 May 1649 - 19 December 1731), was a medieval Indian warrior who fought against the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, and established his own kingdom in Bundelkhand, becoming a Maharaja. The tomb of Maharaja Chhatrasal is an octagonal structure built in the 18th century A. D.  

If you are planning a trip to Khajuraho in February, you can be a part of the Khajuraho Dance Festival and witness the magnificent city unveil its architectural glory, as renowned artists perform in the backdrop of the historical monuments. This grand cultural extravaganza is a stunning blend of art and architecture.