Khajuraho Group of Temples

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Madhya Pradesh stands as a brilliant testament to the artistic and architectural achievements of the Chandela dynasty, which ruled Bundelkhand between the 10th and 13th centuries. The temples were predominantly built during a relatively short but intense period of creativity, roughly between 950 and 1050 CE, under rulers like Yashovarman and Dhanga. Originally a vast complex comprising around 85 temples (both Hindu and Jain), dedicated to various deities within the Hindu pantheon (Shiva, Vishnu, Surya, Devi) and Jain Tirthankaras, only about 25 temples survive today. Architecturally, the Khajuraho temples exemplify the fully developed Nagara style. They are typically built without enclosure walls, often on high platforms (jagati). Characterized by elegantly proportioned, soaring curvilinear towers (shikharas) composed of diminishing replicas of themselves (urushringas), creating a sense of vertical ascent. The temples usually feature an entrance porch (ardhamandapa), a main hall (mandapa), a great hall (mahamandapa), an ambulatory passage (pradakshina patha), and the sanctum (garbhagriha). What makes Khajuraho globally famous is its profuse and intricate sculptural ornamentation covering both the exterior and interior walls. These sculptures depict a wide range of subjects: divine figures, celestial maidens (apsaras, surasundaris) in graceful postures, mythical creatures (vyalas), geometric patterns, scenes of courtly life, music, dance, military processions, and, most controversially, explicit erotic scenes (mithunas). The exact purpose of the erotic sculptures remains debated among scholars – interpretations range from Tantric symbolism, reflections of contemporary social acceptance of Kama Shastra principles, auspicious or protective functions, to simply portraying all aspects of human life. Prominent surviving temples include the Kandariya Mahadeva (largest and most ornate), Lakshmana, Vishvanatha (Hindu), and Parshvanatha, Adinatha (Jain). After the decline of the Chandelas in the 13th century, the temples gradually fell into disuse and were reclaimed by forests, largely forgotten until their rediscovery by British engineer T.S. Burt in the 1830s. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, Khajuraho attracts visitors worldwide, admired for its architectural grandeur and unique sculptural heritage.