Khajuraho
Khajuraho is a village in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, located in Chhatarpur District,620 kilometres southeast of Delhi,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.
One of the most popular tourist destinations in India, Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for their erotic sculpture.
The name Khajuraho, ancient "Kharjuravahaka", is derived from the Sanskrit word kharjur meaning date palm.
The temples were built between the 10th and 12th Centuries as the greatest architectural acievement of the Chandella Dynasty. The temples were abandoned shortly after their completion as the Chandellas fled from Afghan invaders to other areas where they were more secure.
The temples fell out of use and were soon forgotton so that by the 16th Century they were swallowed and hidden by the surrounding jungle. It wasn't until 1838 that they were rediscovered by the British.
Today the Temples remain a remote destination due to limited daily train access to this site.To avoid a long car journey the easiest way to incorporate it into an itinerary is by taking a flight from Varanasi. The western group of temples are amongst the most spectacular and include the Kandariya, Mahadeva, Vishvanatha and Lakshmana Temples.
The incredible skill of the craftsmen is evident when looking at the sculptures and their fine details of jewellery, hairstyles,and even manicured nails.In the evening floodlights highlight the sculptures and their details and they glow white in the moonlight.
The southern group of temples were built in the late Chandellan period show a decline in temple architecture even though it still has some exquisite carvings.Here there are 3 Temples and some do have some unique features. The main temple has an exterior that is angular and rippled and it is unique to the area of Khajuraho.