Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Madhya Pradesh, is known around the world for its stunning temples adorned by erotic and sensuous carvings. A small town located in the Bundelkhand region, Khajuraho is a brilliant example of Indian architecture and its culture back in the medieval period. The architecture of these Hindu and Jain temples depict the erotic forms of love, the carvings on the walls display passion in the most sensuous yet aesthetic ways. Built between 950 to 1050 AD the sheer confrontational nature of these carvings shows a stark paradox with the conventional Indian ideals about eroticism, leaving everybody spellbound.

Art in this small town is engrained in all of its structures and is a classic example of the finesse of India’s cultural and artistic heritage. The best part about Khajuraho is that although scores of plunderers tried to destroy the whole complex, they could never succeed, even though they managed to reduce the number of temples and caves to 25 from a staggering 85 at the time it was created.

Places to Visit

Light & Sound Show

After the visit to the temple complex is over, a light and sound show is carried out which is narrated by veteran actor Mr. Amitabh Bachhan.

Dulhadev Temple

Built in the year 1130 the Dulhadev Temple enshrines a beautiful shiva lingam and striking sculptures of Apsaras and other ornamented figures. The temple also has a stunning sculpture of Lord Shiva with his wife Parvati, the intricate details of the carvings adding to the charm of the overall architecture.

Kandariya Mahadev Temple

Built around 1025-1050 AD, this temple exudes grandeur and finesse in its architecture. With beautiful frescos of women in various postures adorning the walls of this temple, this place is one of the most stunning tourist sites in Khajuraho.

Kandariya Mahadev Temple has an artistically engraved shrine with over 800 images of women, most of which are more than 3 feet high. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has a shivalingam at the centre of Garba Griha. Made of a typical sandstone structure, the artistic representation of eroticism on the walls of this temple are bound to give a new perspective on India’s cultural heritage.

Lakshman Temple

The oldest and most aesthetically pleasing temples among the Western group of Temples, the Lakshman temple is named after the ruler of that time. The trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva is depicted in the horizontal beam over the entrance of the temple.

ParsvanathTemple

This temple is the largest among the Eastern group of temples and has intricately detailed carvings on its walls. The most intriguing side of the architecture of this temple is the aesthetic blend of Hindu, muslim and Buddhist styles.

The highlights of the temple are the sculptures on the northern outer walls.

Vishwanath Temple

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is one among the western group of temples. It has a beautiful marble shivalinga as the main deity. An imposing image of Brahma is also housed in this temple. A massive sculpture of Nandi the Bull is also enshrined alongside the Shivalingam.

Lakshmi Temple

Dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu deity of wealth. This temple houses some moderate shrines and is comparatively smaller than the other temples in Khajuraho.

Javari Temple

Javari Temple is another temple from the Khajuraho Group of Monuments enshrined by Lord Vishnu although the idol of the presiding deity is broken and headless. The temple is rather tiny and has been built in the Shikhara style of architecture. The temple also has sculptures of Navagrahas, Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma at the entrance gate of the sanctum.

Devi Jagdamba Temple

Initially built as a Vishnu temple, the Devi Jagdamba temple has beautifully carved erotic figures. The Garba Griha houses a stunning sculpture of the Goddess of the Universe. The temple also houses a beautiful image of Goddess Parvati, with the image of Mithuna.

State Museum Of Tribal & Folk Art

Housed within the Chandela Cultural Complex in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, State Museum of Tribal and Folk Art well maintained a tiny repository of old scriptures of tribal art and culture in the form of masks, terracotta sculptures, folk- paintings, bamboo articles and other collectibles. The museum also has a beautiful garden surrounding it.

Must Try Food in Khajuraho

1. Badri Seth Marwari Bhoj

2. Raja Cafe

3. Gagan Restaurant

4. Pinch Of Salt

5. Saffron Cafe

6. Gurukripa Bhojnalaya

7. Safari Canteen

8. Baba Dhaba & Restaurant

9. Bamboori Treat

10. Lassi Corner

How To Get Here

Khajuraho is well connected to the rest of India by road and air. There is a railway station in Khajuraho which is connected by major cities.

By Air

Khajuraho Airport is the nearest airport that connects the site of Khajuraho to the rest of India, primarily cities like New Delhi, Bhopal etc. Regular connecting flights from domestic carriers like Air India, Indigo etc. serve the airport of Khajuraho. 

Nearest Airport: Khajuraho Airport (HJR) 

By Road

Regular bus services ply to and fro Khajuraho. Buses, in a range from affordable to slightly expensive rates, are available from places like Bhopal, Indore, New Delhi. You can also take a shared taxi or cab for the same route.

By Train

Khajuraho has a railway station which is connected by major cities.