Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Khajuraho (India). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Lakshmana Temple, and Kandariya Mahadev Temple. Also, be sure to include Parvati Temple in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh).
Table of Contents
Khajuraho Group of Monuments
Also known as: खजुराहो स्मारक समूह
Temples of love. The Khajuraho Group of Monuments are a group of Hindu and Jain temples in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh, India, about 175 kilometres southeast of Jhansi. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples are famous for their nagara-style architectural symbolism and less than 10% of their erotic sculptures.
Most Khajuraho temples were built between 885 AD and 1050 AD by the Chandela dynasty. Historical records note that the Khajuraho temple site had 85 temples by the 12th century, spread over 20 square kilometers. Of these, only about 25 temples have survived, spread over six square kilometers. Of the surviving temples, the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is decorated with a profusion of sculptures with intricate details, symbolism and expressiveness of ancient Indian art.
When these monuments were built, the boys in the place lived in hermitages, by being brahmcharis (bachelor) until they attained manhood and these sculptures helped them to learn about the worldly role of 'householder'. The Khajuraho group of temples were built together but were dedicated to two religions, Hinduism and Jainism, suggesting a tradition of acceptance and respect for diverse religious views among Hindus and Jains in the region.[1]
Lakshmana Temple
Also known as: लक्ष्मण मन्दिर, खजुराहो
The Lakshmana Temple is a 10th-century Hindu temple built by Yashovarman located in Khajuraho, India. It is dedicated to Vaikuntha Vishnu - an aspect of Vishnu.[2]
Address: Rajnagar Rd, 471606 Khajuraho
Kandariya Mahadev Temple
Also known as: कन्दारिया महादेव
Hindu temple in the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, India. The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, meaning "the Great God of the Cave", is the largest and most ornate Hindu temple in the medieval temple group found at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is considered one of the best examples of temples preserved from the medieval period in India.[3]
Parvati Temple
Hindu temple in the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, India. Parvati Temple is a temple dedicated to the goddess Parvati, consort of Shiva.
This structure is one of the monuments among Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a World Heritage Site in India.[4]
Varaha Temple
Hindu temple in the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, India. The Varaha Temple at Khajuraho enshrines a colossal monolithic image of Varaha, the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This temple depicts Varaha as a purely animal form. The temple is located in the Western Group of Temple Complex Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a World Heritage Site inscribed by UNESCO in 1986 in Khajuraho. Khajuraho is a small village in Chattarpur District of Madhya Pradesh, India.
Varaha (Sanskrit: वराह) is the third Avatar of the Lord Vishnu, in the form of a Varaha (Boar).[5]
Address: Chhatarpur District, 471606 Khajuraho
Jain Temples
The Jain temples of Khajuraho are a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho. They are located in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh, India, about 175 kilometres southeast of the city of Jhansi.[6]
Chaturbhuj Temple
Also known as: चतुर्भुज मंदिर
Hindu temple in the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, India. Chaturbhuj Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu in Khajuraho, India. This temple is also known as Jatakari Temple as it is situated in the village of Jatakari.
The name Chaturbhuj (lit. "One who has four arms") is an epithet of Vishnu. The temple was built by Yasovarman of the Chandela Dynasty in c. 1100 CE. This is the only temple in Khajuraho which lacks erotic sculptures.[7]
Nandi Temple
Hindu temple in the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, India. The Nandi temple is a Hindu temple located in Khajuraho city of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is dedicated to Nandi, the bull which serves as the mount of Shiva, in Hindu epic. As a common architecture trend, temples of Shiva display stone images of a seated Nandi facing Shiva. Following the trend, this temple is located opposite to the Vishvanatha Temple, which is dedicate to Shiva.
This structure is one of the monument among Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a World Heritage Site in India.[8]
Chitragupta Temple
Also known as: चित्रगुप्त मन्दिर,खजुराहो
Hindu temple in the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, India. The Chitragupta temple is an 11th-century temple dedicated to Lord Chitragupt and Lord Surya in the Khajuraho town of Madhya Pradesh, India. Architecturally, it is very similar to the nearby Jagadambi temple.[9]
Address: Rajnagar Rd, 471606 Khajuraho
Ghantai Temple
Jain temple in the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, India. The Ghantai temple, also known as the Ghanti temple, is a ruined Jain temple in the Khajuraho town of Madhya Pradesh, India. Similar in style to the Parshvanatha temple, it was dedicated to the Jain tirthankara Rishabhanatha. This temple is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other temples in Khajuraho Group of Monuments.[10]
Lakshmi Temple
Hindu temple in the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, India. Lakshmi temple is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, consort of Lord Vishnu.
This structure is one of the monument among Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a World Heritage Site in India.[11]