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The capital of the Chandela
Kings, Khajuraho is famous for its magnificent temples
dedicated to Lord Shiva,
Lord Vishnu and the Jain Tirthankaras. These temples are built between 950 A.D.
and 1050 A.D. The temples of Khajuraho represent some of the most exquisite
specimens in medieval India, only 22 temples out of 85 now survive.
Khajuraho - The very name, Khajuraho, arouses strange dreams even in
daytime. Of full bodied feminine forms frozen in stone, so real that you
wonder whether they might come alive at a touch. Khajuraho or the home of
khajura (khajura), lies in the richly watered plain of northern Madhya
Pradesh in central India. It draws tourists all around the globe for its
magnificent temples of erotica.
Built
between 950 and 1050 AD, the Khajuraho temples are the greatest
architectural achievement of the Chandella dynasty. It was accidentally
discovered by a British army engineer (pre-Independence India) in 1839 who
had gone with his team to excavate a nearby area. The temples here are
categorized into three groups: the western, eastern and southern.
Khajuraho today is a small village where tourists outnumber the locals
during most time of the year. The temples are scattered in an area of 8 sq
km. Shops selling local handicrafts (The hotels Chandela, Jass Oberoi,
Holiday Inn, Clarks Bundela and Ashok also have shopping arcades.) neighbour
the temples. However, what most people take back home are their memories
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Area : sq. km.
- Population : Approx. lakh people
- Altitude : above sea level
- Clothing :
Summer - Cottons,
Winter - Woolens
- Language : Hindi and English
PLACES OF INTEREST
The temples of Khajuraho are divided into three
geographical groups viz, Western, Eastern, and Southern groups.
Western Group of Temples
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Chausath Yogini Temple
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Kandariya Mahadeo Temple
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Devi Jagdamba Temple
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Chitragupta Temple
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Vishwanath Temple
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Parvati Temple
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Lakshmana Temple
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Matangeshwara Temple
Eastern Group of Temples
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Brahma Temple
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Vamana Temple
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Parsvanath Temple
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Ghantai Temple
Southern Group of Temples
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Dulhadeo Temple
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Chaturbhuj Temple
Archaeological Museum
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The museum has a collection of sculpture,
inscriptions and architectural objects
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Timings: 1000-1700 hrs. Closed on Fridays
EXCURSIONS
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Dhubela Museum : 64 km. Located on the bank of
the lake, the museum houses a wide variety of Shakti Cult Sculpture. There are
different sections on garments, weapons and paintings.Timings : 1000 -1700
hrs. Closed on Mondays and Gazetted holidays.
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Beni Sagar 11 km
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Panna Diamond Mines 56 km
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Panna National Park 60 km
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Pandav Falls 35 km
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Raigarh Palace 25 km
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Raneh Falls 20 km
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Ranguan Lake 25 km
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Ajaygarh Fort 80 km
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Kalingar Fort 125 km
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Nachana 100 km
HOW TO GET THERE?
Air: Indian Airlines
services connect Khajuraho with Delhi.
Rail : Jhansi (175 Km.)
and Satna (117 Km.) are the two convinient railheads to visit Khajuraho from
Bombay, Delhi & Madras. However Harpalpur (110 Km,) is the nearest railhead to
visit Khajuraho.
Road : Khajuraho is
connected with major tourist centres by good motorable roads. Some important
distances from Khajuraho are: Agra (395 km), Allahabad (285 km), Bandhavgarh
(237 km), Bhopal (372 km) Chitrakoot (176 km), Delhi (590 km), Jabalpur (296 km)
Lucknow (267 km) and Varanasi (415 km)
Bus service : Direct bus
services connect Khajuraho with Panna, Satna, Rewa, Jabalpur, Jhansi, Harpalpur,
Mahoba, Bhopal, Indore and Agra.
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