Exploring Khajuraho: A Journey Through India’s Historic Temples

If you always believed that spoken reverence, apt phonetics is the crown of Lucknow, you still have to visit Khajuraho in Chatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. If sightseeing, drowning in pre-history or soaking in the colours of granite temples is of your interest, planning a trip to Khajuraho is like the truth. If walking in the story or runes of yesteryear’s bravery and slavery stirs your imagination and quest to read the temples in Khajuraho is your thing. Trust me, temples can be read if you like art, design, patterns etc.

The name Khajuraho is derived from a Sanskrit word ‘Khajurvahaka’ Khajur (Date palm) and ‘Vahaka’ (the carrier). It’s believed that the name Khajurvahaka’ comes from scorpion bearer symbolic to the deity Shiva. The temples in Khajuraho have witnessed the rise and fall of kingdoms with its silent guarding wisdom. The temples in Khajuraho have been a testifier of the warrior Queen of Jhansi. Jhansi needs no introduction. Khajuraho does have an airport and rail connectivity.

Reflections: The temples in Khajuraho are UNESCO recognised relics. The temples in Khajuraho were built in 200 years. More than Indian, foreigners appreciate travelling in the lanes through the crowd, feeling the vibe of the gone times. The city of Khajuraho reflects the Chandela Dynasty essence. Chandela dynasty ruled over Khajuraho from 0950 to 105 AD. They established more than 85 temples until the 12th century with utmost precision and devotion in an area across 20 km. Out of the 85 temples, only 25 temples have survived the test of decay and erosion and remains on a mere 6 km diameter. Today the entire area where the 25 temples are breathing is called the Khajuraho group of monuments.

Highlights: The stunning nagara style architecture, intricate details, symbolic scriptures created using sandstone calls on to travellers who have an interest in architecture, history, religion, and spirituality must for sure visit the temples in Khajuraho.

• Javari Temple is an extremely unique and built-in shikara style. The deity enshrined is broken and headless. The sanctum welcomes the traveller with an outer door built with Shiva, Vishnu, Braham, and Navagrahas.
•  Lakhsmi Temple as indicated calls out to the travel engage-rs to thank Maa Lakhsmi who is the Goddess of wealth.
• Vishvanath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is known as Vishvanatha (Lord of the universe). The scriptures image traveller’s eyes with various deities, celestial maidens, mythical creatures and erotic scriptures.
• Kaindariya Mahadeva Temple is the largest temple in the entire Khajuraho complex.
• Lakhsmana temple homes to imagery of 600 Gods on its walls. Lakshmana Temple is in honour of Lord Vishnu with deity of Vaikuntha Vishnu.
  Kaindariya Mahadeva Temple and Lakhshman Temple connect the traveller to Panna National Park where one can opt for a safari. Also, for the night charm and relaxation Sound and Light show is something to surely stop by. How can it get better than this?
• Dulhadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is also called Kunwar Math. Kunwar meant something similar to son or a prince. There are many beautiful images of Apsaras in the temple.
• Nandi Temple is a colossal beauty in the honour of the gatekeeper bull of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The magnificent temple is 2.2 meters long and 1.8 meters.

Some of the other temples name:

o Shantinath Temple
o Adinath Temple
o Parsvanth Temple
o Chaturbhuj Temple
o Varaha Temple
o Parsvanath Temple
o Beejamandal Temple
o Devi Jugdamba Temple

Much said about the temples, Dances the way to glory. It’s said that in order to explore a city, a new city, visiting their core centre and nightlife is a must. Khajuraho does not have a very alive nightlife as such, but they do have dance festive to attract tourist. The Khajuraho dance festival spans across February and Marches where most of our Indian dances forms come to life. Manipuri, Bharatnatyam, Oddissi, Kathak, Kuchipudi are performed by renowned artists.
Other sightseeing places to be visited in Khajuraho:

• State museum of tribal and folk art homes to more than 500 tribal antiques.
• Ayur Arogyam where Ayurveda oil meets the herbal essence taking the travel to the la la land of their dreams.
• Kalinjar Fort is another beauty not to be missed. Kalinjar in Sanskrit means the destroyer of time. Kali as in time and Jar means destruction. Kalinjar Fort is at an elevation of 1,203 feet. It was strategically made by the Chandela rulers of Bunldelkhand back them to protect their land. The fort is flowered with the Goddess and Gods you may think about.

Coming back to temples, as shared there are more than 25 temples in the Khajuraho monument complex. I have shared six of the temples synopsis and eight other names. If you want to know the other 10 names, find it. If they give birth to a travel plan, do travel to Khajuraho in Chatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh to breathe Khajuraho monument complex within your inner-being.