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Attractions in Khajuraho
Western Group:
Lakshmana Temple
- The Lakshmana temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu,
was built during the Chandela reign. In it resides
a sacred image of Vaikuntha-Vishnu brought from
Tibet. The temple is one of the oldest and the
most exquisitely decorated in Khajuraho having
the images of over 600 gods in the Hindu Pantheon.
The main shrine of the temple, which faces east,
is flanked by four self-supporting subsidiary
shrines at the corners of the temple platform.
The temple is especially known for its explicit
carvings on the southern side.
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Kandariya Mahadeo - One of the
largest and finest examples of the Khajuraho
temples, this is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The sanctum enshrines a lingam, while
the main shrine is lavishly carved and
represents various Gods, Goddesses and
Apsaras (heavenly maidens) in elaborate
details. The entrance arch, the massive
pillars and ceilings adorned with exquisite
carvings achieve their desired objective
to leave the visitor spellbound. |
Devi
Jagadamba - The Devi Jagadamba Temple
stands on the same platform as the Kandariya
Temple but is a little older and of simpler
design. It was originally dedicated to Vishnu
(Vaishnavist), but later became a Parvati temple
(Shaivite).
Chitragupta Temple
- Dedicated to the Sun God, Surya, this temple
faces eastwards towards the rising sun. In the
inner sanctum sites the presiding deity -- the
majestic Sun God looms 5 ft high driving a chariot.
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Vishwanath Temple - The temple has a
three-headed image of Lord Brahma. Lions guard
the northern entrance to the structure, while
elephants flank the southern flight of steps
that lead up to it. A Nandi bull faces the shrine.
Chausat
Yogini - The oldest of the surviving
temples of Khajuraho, this is dedicated to
goddess
Kali. This is the only temple in Khajuraho that
is built in granite. The name chaunsat (sixty-four)
comes from the cells of 64 attendants of Goddess
Kali. Goddess Kali herself was the 65th one.
Matangeshwara
Temple - Still a living place of worship,
the temple is dedicated to Shiva, has an eight-feet
high lingam, and is outside the precincts of
the Western Group. The Archaeological Museum
here is also well-worth a visit. |
Eastern Group :
The
Temple of Parsvanath
- This is the largest of the Jain temples in Khajuraho
and the finest. The temple was originally dedicated
to Adinath and later to Parsvanath. It is the finest
example of the sensitive art without any sexual motifs.
Near this temple is the temple of Adinath with fine
carvings.
Temple of
Brahma and Hanuman - One of the oldest in
Khajuraho, this temple is built mostly of granite
and sandstone. Actually, this temple is dedicated
to Lord Vishnu. Nearby is a Hanuman temple reputed
to have the earliest inscription dating back to A.D.
922 on a 2½ -m statue.
Quick Getaways near Khajuraho
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Raneh
Falls - 19 km from
Khajuraho on the Ken river, the main attraction
here is a 5-km-long, 100-foot-deep canyon made
of pure crystalline granite in varying shades
of colours ranging from pink and red to gray.
A series of seasonal waterfalls surrounded by
jungles make it an ideal picnic spot.
Panna National Park -
25 km away, a 30
minute drive from Khajuraho , Panna National
Park is spread over 543 sq. km.
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eastern bank of the Ken
river. It has thick dry deciduous and
mixed forests of teak, bamboo, sheesham
and achar. There are also stony ravines,
waterfalls and wildlife which includes tigers,
panthers, bears, wild boars, bluebulls, gazelles,
spotted deer, black bucks and birds. Upgraded
from a wildlife sanctuary in 1981, the park
comes under Project Tiger. |
Ken Natural Trail - This
is well within walking distance from Raneh Falls and
is a jungle track flaunting the natural beauty of
the surroundings.
Ken Gharial Sanctuary
- Located at the confluence of
the Ken and Khudar rivers further down Raneh Falls
and Natural Trail, this is a natural home of the long-snouted
variety of crocodiles.
Majhgawan Diamond Mines
- Located
56 kms from Khajuraho, this is India’s only
working diamond mine under government control.
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Festivals in Khajuraho
The most important festival celebrated here is Mahashivratri.
The festival celebrates Shiva's marriage with Parvati,
the daughter of the Himalayas. The 2.5-m-tall lingam
of Kandariya Mahadeo temple is dressed as a bridegroom,
with white and saffron dhotis, and covered by a huge,
conical, silver paper crown. The nightlong ceremony
is performed by the chief priest's son who anoints
the lingam with water from the sacred rivers of India.
Hymns are chanted throughout the night, until the
Brahmins stand to throw bel leaves and flower
petals over the lingam, a sign that the wedding is
complete.
The Khajuraho Dance Festival, organized in
the months of February/March attracts visitors from
around the world. The first and longest running dance
festival of its kind in the country, the cream of
Indian classical dancers performs here to present
the best of Indian dance and music. The floodlit temples
of Khajuraho and the backdrop of the Chitragupta Temple
is the perfect setting for this astounding event.
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