Known for Khajuraho Group of Monuments, you will definitely be amazed to see the beautiful sculptures, architecture depicting ancient Indian art.

Khajuraho is a small town in Madhya Pradesh, it attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world. Recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khajuraho Temples belong to Hindu & Jain religion and showcase various erotic sculptures built between 950 1050 during Chandela dynasty. To know about the rich history of temples, one should definitely visit this city.

History

Built around 950-1050 AD, during the Chandela dynasty, Khajuraho temples got their name from palm trees that covered the temple for many years. The sculptures in the temple represent Indo-Aryan architecture and love for art during that period.

Attractions

When in Khajuraho, you will be exposed to art, culture, nature & history all at the same time. A lot of places are there that should be definitely covered. A treat for art & nature lovers, following are the places that need to be visited.

Khajuraho Temples:

Khajuraho Group of Monuments are set of 20 temples which include Lakshmana temple, Brahma Temple, Vamana Temple, Chitragupta Temple, Javeri Temple, Dulhadev Temple.

Lakshmana Temple was built by Yashovarman and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is one of the largest temples set in the Western wing of Khajuraho complex. You will find images of 600 gods on the walls of the temples.

Brahma temple belongs to the Eastern wing of Khajuraho temples and it is the oldest structure of the temple complex. It is named after the Lord Brahma and is constructed using sandstone & granite.

Chitragupta temple is Sun God and contains an entrance porch- Maha Mandapa and idol of God Surya.

Javeri Temple has beautiful architecture and is present in the Eastern Group of Khajuraho temples.

Dulhadev Temple is dedicated to God Shiva and is present in the Southern Group of Khajuraho Temples and you will find carvings of Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati in the temple.

Panna National Park:

It is located on the bank of Ken river and you can explore waterfalls, wildlife. Boat rides & elephant safari is also major tourist attractions.

Ajaigarh Fort:

Located on Vindhya mountain, you can trek to the top and lose yourself in the view of the river.

Beni Sagar Dam:

A picnic spot, Beni Sagar Dam will calm your chaos and you can walk around the dam. Also, you can indulge boating & swimming at this place.

Raneh Falls:

It has a mesmerizing view of Raneh falls and river on the sides. You can capture some romantic moments here with the background of rocks.

Best time to visit

Khajuraho can be visited during July – March season. October- February is the winter months and are the best time to visit. You can explore the place in the winter sun. Monsoon season is beautiful here, and the greenery around the temples is quite attractive.

How to reach this place?

Khajuraho is well-connected with major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi through its domestic airport. Also, it is well-connected by bus and private buses run to neighbouring cities like Jhansi. You can also self-drive from Madhya Pradesh or board a train from Delhi to reach Khajuraho.

Khajuraho Festival of Dances:

It is an annual event by the Madhya Pradesh Kala Parishad, conducted during the month of February. You will get to see famous dancers putting up a spectacular show.

You can enjoy all forms of Indian classical dance like Kathakali, Mohiniattam, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Bharatnatyam in the backdrop of the temple. It is a quite popular event and you should be a part of this cultural event for sure.

Sound & Light Show:

On the temple grounds, an evening musical light & sound show with a voice-over of Bollywood Actor Amitabh Bachchan is a must watch. It is a spectacular show and is a beautiful experience.

Shopping is fun!

Tribal handicrafts are famous in Khajuraho and people buy them the most. Tribal jewelry, bamboo articles, dhokra arts, artefacts, textile materials are some things to buy when in Khajuraho.

These museums are worth exploring!

Archaeological Museum:

It was built in the 20^th century and you will find the place fascinating with the presence of artefacts. You will find sculptures mentioned in books, all present in the museum.

Jain Museum:

Dedicated to Jain sculptures, Jain Museum should be visited once to explore the Jain culture.

State Museum of Tribal & Folk Arts

History lovers will be excited to see this place and have a collection of masterpieces. The collection features tribal antiques, folk paintings, masks, jewelry, terracotta objects, metal crafts. To know about the cultural history, one should definitely visit the place.

Dhubela Museum:

The antiques & artefacts here, mostly belong to Bundela Dynasty. There are 8 galleries present here and contains sculptures & inscriptions.

The Khajuraho temples have a timeless beauty, the erotic sculptures take you back to the land of Kamasutra. You will be happy to see the slow life of people here and cherish the days.

Suggested Tour Packages

The post Soak in the Ancient History with a Complete Khajuraho Travel Guide! appeared first on Indiator.