Sculpted Stories in Stone
The stunning Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a group of Hindu and Digambara Jain temples famous for its Nagara-Style architecture and graceful sculptures of nayikas (Hindu Mythological female protagonists) and deities. Most temples were built between 885 and 1000 CE, totalling 85 temples by the 12th century. Today, only about 25 temples have survived. This group of temples is known for its profusion of sculptures with intricate details, symbolism, and expressiveness of ancient Indian art and the outstanding architecture, diversity of temple forms, and testimony to the Chandela civilisation, a unique coincidence of religious emotion, abundant patronage, artistic genius, and aesthetic sensibility. The Khajuraho Group were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.
Exploring the Temples The temples are grouped into Western, Eastern, and Southern, and each temple provides insight into the Chandela art and faith. The Western group, the most prominent, features the Kandariya Mahadev Temple, an ornate temple with elaborate sculptures and spires. Its walls depict stories, celestial performers, and friezes depicting gods and goddesses, blending devotion and human emotions. The Eastern group, while smaller, is equally impressive, with Jain temples such as Parsvanath showcasing symmetry and intricate carvings. The Southern group, nestled in tranquil surroundings, includes temples devoted to Vishnu and other deities, showcasing the area's religious pluralism.
The Western Group is the most important part of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments. The first three temples, though considered part of the Western Group, are at a slight distance from the enclosure. Explore the Chausath Yogini Temple, Laguan Mahadev, Varaha Temple, Lakshmana Temple, Kandariya Mahadev and Devi Jagdamba Temple.
Scattered around the edges of the old village of Khajuraho. The Eastern Group of Temples includes three Brahma and four Jain Temples, whose proximity attests to the religious tolerance of the time in general and the Chandela rulers in particular. Visit the Vamana Temple, Javari Temple, Brahma Temple and Atinath Temple.
built in the customary five- shrine style, the 12 th -century Duladeo Temple looks flatter and more massive than most Khajuraho Shrines. Visit the Binjamandala Temple, archaeologists surmise that the temple, begun in the late 10 th or early 11 th century, may never have been completed, judging by the remains and unfinished statues found on the site. The Chaturbhuja Temple is notable for the absence of erotic carvings and its impressive Lord Vishnu deity.
Karnataka is packed with fascinating places and historic sites. Bangalore considers itself the Silicon Valley of India, and Mysore are worth exploring. Mysore, in contrast, is an elegant old royal town. It’s a small-scale, tropical in appearance and has India’s finest zoo.
Explore the abandoned city of Hampi. It’s the single most rewarding destination in the state.
Acclaimed for its plethora of awe-inspiring Dravidian temples, an array of royal palaces, market complexes, shrines, hill monuments, waterworks, elephant stables, community kitchens and fountains, mosque and tomb, Hampi exemplifies the artistic and architectural excellence of that last great Hindu kingdom.
Explore the abandoned city of Hampi. It’s the single most rewarding destination in the state. And the 11 th and 12th century temples at Belur and Halebid, which, between them, hold more than 30000 intricately carved sculptures. Spend a day or two exploring coffee plantations in Coorg and Chikkamagalur and the jungle safari in Nagarhole National Park, home to elephants and tigers.
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