Khajuraho Temples - Symobol of Love in India

The Khajuraho Temples in Madhya Pradesh are amongst the most beautiful medieval monuments in India. Originally a group of 85, they are the largest group of Hindu and Jain temples in the world, although only about 25 of them remain today. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, they have awed generations of people with their architectural brilliance, intricate carvings and, most famously, their erotic sculptures.

Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for their erotic sculpture. The Khajuraho group of monuments has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is considered to be one of the "seven wonders" of India.            

   
The Southern group of temples in Khajuraho is located slightly away from the other groups of temples. Duladeo and Chaturbhuj temples are the main temples in the southern group of temples in Khajuraho. The Duladeo or “the newly married woman” is a Shiva temple. Tall Chaturbhuj temple, about 1 ½ km away from Duladeo temple is dedicated to Vishnu.

The temples of Khajuraho are divided into three geographical groups: Western, Eastern and Southern.The Western group is certainly the best known, because it is to this group that the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple tourist places belongs: The Kandariya Mahadev. Perfectly symmetrical, it soars 31 km high. Though the four temples that stand at the corners of the main shrine are now in ruins, the main shrine has an exquisitely carved entrance arch with a multitude of themes. Celestial beings, lovers serenading musicians movements captured in stone, frozen in time, yet retaining a quality of warm, pulsating life. The very stone seems to have taken on the living, breathing quality of the carved figures.

The Khajuraho temples, scattered over an area of about 9 square miles, depict the traditional lifestyle of women in the medieval age. Rediscovered almost nine centuries later, they give a poignant representation of life in the 11th century. A few of the temples are dedicated to the Jain pantheon and the rest to Hindu deities to God's Trio, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and various Devi forms, such as the Devi Jagadambi. The divine sculptures are a tribute to life itself.

Khajuraho is believed to be the religious capital of Chandellas. Chandella rulers had tried to discriminate politics from religious & cultural activities, so they established their political capital in Mahoba which is about 60km. away from Khajuraho and religious/cultural capital in Khajuraho. Whole Khajuraho was enclosed by a wall with about 8 gates used for entry/exit. It is believed that each gate is flanked by two date/palm trees.

After fall of Chandella dynasty (after AD 1150), Khajuraho Temples suffered destruction & disfigurement by muslim invaders in this area which forced local people to leave Khajuraho. As muslim invaders had a ruling policy of intolerance for worship places of other religions so all the citizens of Khajuraho left the town with a hope that its solitude will not attract attention of muslim invaders into the temple area and in this way both temple and they themselves will remain unhurt. 

Khajuraho Temples - Erotic art and Images

Khajuraho Temples have created a niche for itself as one of the highlights of Madhya Pradesh Tourism due to its uniqueness. Khajuraho temples are the living images of the glorious cultural heritage of India. These temples have the most unique images and sculptures engraved on them which apparently depict erotic and sensuous themes, but were actually intended to convey the spiritual aspects of the passions of human beings, according to one of the many theories that have been put forward by experts on these khajuraho temples. These temples are more like India's own gift to the outside world.                                              

Hisotry

The Chandellas,the descendants of the moon-god the ambitious builders and great connoisseur of erotic arts,embelished their cities and towns with palaces, pools and temples, but the complex of sunshine’s at Khjauraho represents the climax of the erotic art of Hindu temple architecture during the medieval times. These Khajuraho temples were built during the 9th and 10th century AD. King Yasovarman began the era of temple construction here that was going on to become one of the country's major tourist attractions. There is a legend behind the Khajuraho temples which says that the Moon God seduced and ravaged a beautiful Brahmin girl named Hemvati.Soon she gave birth to Chandravarman who was the founder of the Chandela dynasty.

Erotic Art

There are many concepts describing the specific purpose for including sexual art using the sacred temples. The Khajuraho temples usually do not contain sexual or erotic art within the temple or close to the deities; however, some external carvings bear erotic art. Also, some of the khajuraho temples which have two layers of walls have small erotic carvings on the exterior of the inner wall. There are many interpretations from the erotic carvings. They portray that, for seeing the deity, one must leave their sexual desires outside of the temple.

Markandeshwar Temple

The Markandeshwar temple complex, by the River Wainganga, showcases a sprinkling of erotic art. A couple performing ‘fellacio’ will raise eyebrows. Know to be built by danavas (evil forces) in one night, the temple is made from stone, and follows Hemadpanth architecture. The annual fair during Mahashivratri attracts devotees from far and wide every year.

Sun Temple 

Sun Temple It is believed to be the place where Lord Rama conducted a yagna here to purify himself of the sin of killing a Brahmana-Ravana. Like Konarak, its architecture is such that the temple catches the first rays of the rising sun. The most striking feature of the temple is a perfectly designed Kama Kunda (water tank) meant for ablutions and for a reflection of the temple in the water.

Khandariya Mahadev temple

Khandariya Mahadev temple has been an old favourite from school days when I scouted book-stores for picture post cards to display in history files. On the stepping stone to the inner sanctum of Khandariya Mahadev lay offerings of flowers, rice and a few coins. A visit later in the evening to Matangeshwar temple was a clear contrast. Recorded Sanskrit chants, bells, and chanting of Om Namah Shivaay, women with heads covered and puja thalis in hand, incense smoke clouding the air, vermillion dots on visitors' foreheads… The priest said that this was the oldest of the Khajuraho temples.