About Khajuraho

Country: India | State: Madhya Pradesh

Ideal Trip Duration: 2 Full Days

Nearest City to Khajuraho: Kanpur (223 Kms), Gwalior (283 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Khajuraho: September to March

Peak Season: November to February

At a distance of 47 km from Chhatarpur, 118 km from Satna, 179 km from Jhansi, 223 km from Kanpur, 265 km from Jabalpur, 283 km from Gwalior, 283 km from Allahabad, 388 km from Bhopal and 624 km from Delhi, Khajuraho is a historical town located in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. Khajuraho is one of the top places to visit in Madhya Pradesh and among the must include places in your Madhya Pradesh tour packages.

Earlier, Khajuraho was the cultural capital of Chandela Rajputs who ruled this part of India during 10th to 12th centuries AD. Khajuraho Temples were built by the Chandela monarchs over a span of 200 years, from 950 to 1150 AD. After the fall of Chandela rulers, these temples were abandoned and long-forgotten until rediscovered by British Captain T.S. Burt, in 1838 AD. Known around the world for its stunning temples adorned by erotic carvings, 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.

The marvelous architecture and erotic carvings are the best and most notable aspects of Khajuraho temples. There were originally over 80 Hindu temples, of which only 25 now stand in a reasonable state of preservation, scattered over an area of about 8 square miles. The temples also have numerous other sculptures depicting the life of a common man in that era. Khajuraho is now under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India.

The temples of Khajuraho are divided into three groups - Eastern, Western and Southern wings. The Western Group is considered the finest as it features maximum number of huge and attractive temples. These include Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Devi Jagadambi Temple, Lakshman Temple, Chausath Yogini Temple and Chitragupta Temple. Vishwanath Temple, Nandi Temple and Varaha Temple are the other temples present in the Western Group.

The Eastern Group is dominated by carefully designed Jain Temples, as this was the prime abode of the Jain community during the reign of Chandelas. Parswanath Temple is the largest Jain temple of this group. This temple is noted for its exquisite detailing, sculptures and theme carvings. Other temples that add to the popularity of this group are Adinatha, Ghantai, Brahma, Vamana and Javari temples.

The Southern Group of Temples in Khajuraho comprises three temples, namely Dulhadeo Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple and Beejamandal Temple. Out of these, Dulhadeo Temple is the most popular, while the Chaturbhuj is the only temple in Khajuraho that was built without any erotic sculptures.

Khajuraho Dance Festival is a popular annual event organized in Khajuraho. It is organized in February / March months. The best classical dancers in the country perform in an open-air auditorium, with the temples of Khajuraho as an inspiring and awesome backdrop. Another most important festival of Khajuraho is Mahashivratri.

Khajuraho has its own airport, which is about 5 km from Khajuraho Bus Stand. It is well connected by flight with major Indian cities like Bhopal, Agra, Delhi, and Varanasi. Gwalior Airport is the nearest major airport to Khajuraho. Khajuraho Railway Station is the nearest railhead, about 8 km from Khajuraho. It has trains from Delhi, Jhansi, Kanpur, Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Mahoba, Agra, Mathura, Gwalior, Varanasi and Allahabad. Mahoba Junction is the major railhead, which is approximately 78 km away from Khajuraho. Tourists can also reach Khajuraho by bus from Jhansi, Bhopal, Chhatarpur, Satna, and nearby areas. Chhatarpur is the nearest town to Khajuraho which is well connected by all the major cities. The best way to explore Khajuraho is by hiring a bicycle.

Khajuraho has plenty of hotels and guest houses ranging from budget to luxury. They are spread across areas near the airport and in the main city like Jain Temple Road. Many of them organised tours around the historic city for their guests. MP Tourism also has a clean guest house with rooms available at affordable rates.

Khajuraho's climate is quite extreme, with wide variation in day and night temperatures along with minimal rainfall. Winter is the best season to visit Khajuraho while summer is the least advisable time for a visit, owing to the scorching heat and the unbearable humidity. So the best time to visit Khajuraho is from September to March.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Average
STD Code: 07686
Languages Spoken: Hindi, Bundeli & English
Major Festivals: Khajuraho Dance Festival
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Khajuraho

By Air

Nearest Airport: Khajuraho - Khajuraho Airport (5 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Khajuraho Railway Station (8 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Khajuraho Bus Stand (0 Kms)

Top 11 Places to Visit in Khajuraho

#1 of 23 Places to Visit in Khajuraho

At a distance of 1 km from Khajuraho Bus Stand, Lakshmana Temple is one of the most well preserved temples in Khajuraho. This temple is considered to be one of the oldest existing temples in the Western Group and also one of the must visit places in Khajuraho.

Lakshmana Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple was built before 954 CE by Yashovarman, the seventh ruler of Chandela dynasty. It is believed that it took 20 years to build the temple. It is one of the first magnificent structures established in Khajuraho and also one of the three largest temples set in the Western Wing of the Khajuraho complex.

The temple is a Sandhara temple of the Panchayatana variety. The entire temple complex stands on a high platform and consists of all the elements of Hindu temple architecture. It has an entrance porch, mandapa, maha-mandapa, antarala, and garbhagriha. The platform of the temple is beautifully .....

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#2 of 23 Places to Visit in Khajuraho

At a distance of 1 km from Khajuraho Bus Stand, the Kandariya Mahadev Temple is the most ornate Hindu temple in the medieval temple group found at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is the largest and most beautiful temple in the Western Group of temples at Khajuraho.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kandariya Mahadev Temples was built by Vidyadhara, a powerful Chandela king. Its construction is dated to the period from 1025 and 1050 AD. Vidyadhara, also known as Bida, was a powerful ruler who fought Mahmud of Ghazni in 1019 AD. This battle was not conclusive and Mahmud had to return to Ghazni. Mahmud again waged war against Vidyadhara in 1022. He attacked the fort of Kalinjar but the siege of the fort was unsuccessful. Vidyadhara celebrated his success over Mahmud by building the Kandariya Mahadev Temple. The Archaeological Survey of India protects and maintains the temple, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site at Khajuraho.

Spread over an area of 6,500 square .....

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#3 of 23 Places to Visit in Khajuraho

At a distance of 1 km from Khajuraho Bus Stand, Devi Jagadambi Temple is an ancient temple situated towards the north of Kandariya Mahadev Temple in the historical town of Khajuraho. It is one of the prominent temples in the Western Group and also one of the best places to visit in Khajuraho.

Also known as Jagadambika Temple, Devi Jagadambi Temple was built by the Chandela rulers between 1000 AD & 1025 AD. Originally it was dedicated to Lord Vishnu, which is evident from the figures represented in the form of beautiful stone carvings of Lord Vishnu and his avatars on the two lower bands of the temple. Later the temple was dedicated to Goddess Parvati and then to Goddess Kali. It is believed that the idol in the temple is an image of Parvati, which was painted black to provide it an appearance of Goddess Kali.

The temple is situated on the common platform of the Kandariya Mahadev Temple but small in height. Believed to be slightly older than the magnificent Kandariya Temple, .....

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#4 of 23 Places to Visit in Khajuraho

At a distance of 500 m from Kandariya Mahadev Temple and 1 km from Khajuraho Bus Stand, Vishwanatha Temple is a Hindu temple located among the Western Group of Khajuraho Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the most beautiful temples in Khajuraho and also among the best places to experience Khajuraho Tourism.

The temple is dedicated to Shiva, who is also known as Vishwanatha, meaning 'Lord of the Universe'. The temple is believed to have been commissioned by the Chandela king Dhanga, and was probably completed in 999 CE or 1002 CE. Its architectural style is similar to that of Lakshmana and Kandariya Mahadev Temples. It features several sculptures of various deities, apsaras, couples making love, and mythical creatures.

Vishwanath Temple is one of the architectural marvels of the Khajuraho Temple complex. Stands on a raised platform, the temple comprises an entrance porch, sanctum, mandapa, maha-mandapa and vestibule. The sanctum is enclosed .....

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#5 of 23 Places to Visit in Khajuraho

At a distance of 1 km from Khajuraho Bus Stand, Chitragupta Temple is an ancient shrine located to the north of Devi Jagadambi Temple in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the ornate temples in the Western Group and also one of the must visit attractions in Khajuraho.

Built by Chandela rulers in1023 AD, Chitragupta Temple is dedicated to Sun God. The temple faces the East and is the only Sun Temple at Khajuraho. The temple houses a beautiful 5 feet high standing idol of Lord Surya driving a chariot, which is pulled by seven horses. Three similar figures are also carved on the door lintel.

Architecturally, it is very similar to the nearby Jagadambi Temple. It consists of a maha-mandapa, entrance porch, vestibule and a sanctum. The octagonal ceiling of the maha-mandapa is one of the most striking features of the temple. The exterior walls of the temple are covered with erotic sculptures, surasundaris, and various gods.

The south wall of the temple displays an eleven-headed .....

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#6 of 23 Places to Visit in Khajuraho

At a distance of 1 km from Jain Group of Temples and 2 km from Khajuraho Bus Stand, Dulhadev or Duladeo Temple is one of the most beautiful shrines of the Southern Group of Khajuraho Temples. Situated on the north bank of Khudar River, Duladeo Temple is the last built temple in Khajuraho and also one among the famous Khajuraho Temples.

Also known as Kunwar Math, Dulhadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. As per the evidences Duladeo Temple was built by King Madanvarman of the Chandela dynasty in 1130 AD. Duladeo Temple is not as ornate as the Khajuraho temples that were built earlier.

It is a nirandhara temple and faces east. The temple consists of a sanctum without ambulatory, vestibule, maha mandapa and an entrance porch. The main hall or maha mandapa of the temple is huge and is in the shape of an octagon. The ceilings of the temple are decorated with stone carvings of the Apsaras and other ornamented sculptures. Possessing three bands of sculptures, the exteriors of the .....

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#7 of 23 Places to Visit in Khajuraho

At a distance of 3.5 km from Khajuraho Bus Stand, Chaturbhuj Temple is a historical temple situated in Jatakari village near Khajuraho. Also known as Jatakari Temple, the temple is counted amongst the Southern Group of Temples in Khajuraho.

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Chaturbhuj Temple was built by the rulers of Chandela dynasty in 1100 AD. The name is so derived from the word 'chaturbhuj', which means 'one with four arms'. This is so with the presiding deity Lord Vishnu who has four arms. Stands lonely and serene on a high platform, this is the only important temple in Khajuraho that faces west.

The temple is popular for its impressive architecture. It has an entrance porch, sanctum without ambulatory, and mandapa. This is the only temple at Khajuraho without any erotic carvings on the walls. This west facing temple stands on a square platform, which can be approached by a staircase of ten steps. The elaborated entrance through the doorway has beautifully carved figures .....

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#8 of 23 Places to Visit in Khajuraho

At a distance of 1.8 km from Khajuraho Bus Stand, Vamana Temple is a Hindu temple situated near Brahma Temple in Khajuraho. It is also a part of the Eastern Group of Khajuraho Temples and also one of the must see places in Khajuraho.

The fascinating Vamana Temple is dedicated to Vamana, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This beautiful shrine, built circa1050 - 75 AD, is one of the major relics of the Chandela dynasty. It forms part of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stands as a reminiscent of the bygone era and boasts of marvelous architecture that is symbolic of the fine craftsmanship.

The architecture of the temple is similar to that of others located in Khajuraho. The temple features an entrance-porch, maha-mandapa, vestibule and sanctum. Its sikhara is embellished with a fret-work of chaitya-arches. It is also noteworthy for a peculiar roof known as samvarana over the maha-mandapa.

The sanctum is niradhara and enshrines an image .....

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#9 of 23 Places to Visit in Khajuraho

At a distance of 1.5 km from Khajuraho Bus Stand, the Jain Group of Temples is located on the south east of the Khajuraho village. An intrinsic part of Eastern Group of Khajuraho Temples, Jain Group has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other temples in Khajuraho Group of Monuments.

There are 31 Jain Temples in total. But from architectural point of view the Parshvanath, the Adinath and the Shantinath temples are relatively more important and noteworthy temples. The temple of Parshvanath, dominating the walled enclosure of the Jain Group, is probably older than the main temples of Khajuraho. The temple is believed to have been constructed by a prominent Jain family between 950 and 970 CE, during the reign of the Chandela king Dhanga. There is a 954 CE inscription on the left door jamb of the temple mentioning gifts and endowments of gardens by one Pahila. It is believed that originally the main deity of the temple was Lord Adinath. However, later in the year .....

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#10 of 23 Places to Visit in Khajuraho

At a distance of 800 m from Western Group of Temples and 2 km from Khajuraho Bus Stand, the Archaeological Museum is a popular museum situated in Khajuraho. It is one of the top places to visit in Khajuraho and also one of the best archeological museums in Madhya Pradesh.

Archeological Museum in Khajuraho was set up in 1910 by W.A. Jardine, an officer of the British Empire to preserve the loose sculptures found around the temples in Khajuraho. Initially, the remnants of the temples were assembled and preserved in an enclosure near the Matangeshwar Temple in the Western Group of Temples. This open-air museum was known as Jardine Museum but in the year 1952, the Archaeological Survey of India took over and renamed it as the Archaeological Museum.

The present museum was established in 1967 and comprises five galleries. The sculptures that are at display here belong to the Brahmanical, Buddhist and Jaina sects. The museum has about 2000 sculptures on display and the most prominent .....

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#11 of 23 Places to Visit in Khajuraho

At a distance of 21 km from Khajuraho and 43 km from Panna, the Raneh Falls is a natural waterfall located in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the popular waterfalls in Madhya Pradesh and also one of the best Khajuraho tourist places.

Raneh Falls is an exquisite waterfall formed by River Ken running over one of the oldest rocks on earth, the Vindhya basalt. The falls is named after King Rane Pratap, the erstwhile ruler of the region. Situated in the close vicinity of Khajuraho, the waterfall emerged at the confluence of Ken and Khudar Rivers. Raneh Falls mark the edge of the Rewa plateau in Madhya Pradesh. The cascading waterfall is surrounded by wonderful rock formations.

The Ken River forms a 5 km long, and 30 m deep canyon made of pure crystalline granite in varying shades of colours ranging from pink and red to grey. It is popularly called 'The Grand Canyon of India' by the tourists, who have paid a visit to this cascade. There is a series of waterfalls .....

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