Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh)

Hotels & Resorts in Khajuraho

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

The temples of Khajuraho are divided into three geographical groups viz, Western, Eastern, and Southern groups.  

Western Group of Temples

• Chausath Yogini Temple

• Kandariya Mahadeo Temple

• Devi Jagdamba Temple

• Chitragupta Temple

• Vishwanath Temple

• Parvati Temple

• Lakshmana Temple

• Matangeshwara Temple

Eastern Group of Temples

• Brahma Temple

• Vamana Temple

• Parsvanath Temple

• Ghantai Temple

Southern Group of Temples

• Dulhadeo Temple

• Chaturbhuj Temple

Archaeological Museum

• The museum has a collection of sculpture, inscriptions and architectural objects

• Timings: 1000-1700 hrs. Closed on Fridays

EXCURSIONS

• 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.

• Beni Sagar 11 km

• Panna Diamond Mines 56 km

• Panna National Park 60 km

• Pandav Falls 35 km

• Raigarh Palace 25 km

• Raneh Falls 20 km

• Ranguan Lake 25 km

• Ajaygarh Fort 80 km

• Kalingar Fort 125 km

• 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.

Copyright © 2006 Sam-San Travels, Mumbai, India