The Temples in Khajuraho
in Madhya Pradesh are India's unique gift to the world. Under the patronage
of the Chandela kings of northern central India who ruled 1,000 years ago,
85 magnificent and richly carved temples were built near the village of
Khajuraho.
Within
the span of 100 years, from 950-1050 A.D., all the temples were completed.
Of the original 85, today only 22 have survived. These temples are a
collective salute to life, joy and creativity.
The temples can be said to have a theme: woman. A celebration of womankind, her myriad moods and facets. These are carvings of a woman writing a letter, applying make-up to her eyes, combing her tresses, dancing, playing with her child. Innocent, coquettish, smiling, seductive, passionate and beautiful, all depicted in intricate detail, sharply etched, sculpted with consummate skill.
HOW TO GET THERE
By Air : A daily Boeing 737 service links Khajuraho with Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Kathmandu.
By Rail : The nearest railheads are Mahoba and Harpalpur. Jhansi is a convenient railhead for those travelling from Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai while for those coming from Mumbai, Calcutta and Varanasi the railhead is Satna, on the Mumbai- Allahabad section of the Central Railway is ideal. Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Agra and Varanasi are some important cities linked by train to the railheads.
By Road : Khajuraho is connected by regular and direct bus services with Chhatarpur, Mahoba, Harpalpur, Satna, Panna, Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra, Sagar, Jabalpur, Indore, Bhopal, Varanasi and Allahabad.
LOCAL
TRANSPORT
There are Taxis, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws for use locally as well as for excursions. Bicycles can be taken on hire for a full day.
EXCURSIONS
RANEH FALLS (19 km) on the Ken river are famous for their formations. The main attraction 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 makes it an ideal picnic spot.
KEN NATURAL TRAIL (22 km), within walking distance from Raneh Falls, is a jungle track exhibiting natural beauty and imparts a knowledge of the surroundings.
KEN GHARIAL SANCTUARY (24 km) is at the confluence of the Ken and Khudar rivers further down Reneh Falls and Natural Trail. This is a natural home of the long snouted variety of crocodiles.
PANNA NATIONAL PARK (25 km), a 30 minute drive from Khajuraho, is spread over 543 sq.km. along the eastern bank of the Ken river. It has dense dry deciduous and mixed forests of teak, bamboo, sheesham and achar. There are also rocky gorges, 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.
ORCHHA (165 km) : Eight km off the Khajuraho- Jhansi highway (19 km from Jhansi), this is a medieval city flanked by the Betwa river. Thee 16th and 17th century palaces and temples here have withstood the ravages of time. Paintings and mirrorwork, intricate stairways and delicate trellis work in Jehangir Mahal, Raj Mahal and Rai Praveen Mahal are enchanting. In the fort complex MP Tourism has converted Sheesh Mahal into a heritage hotel. Adding to the architectural beauty are the Ram Raja, Chaturbhuj and Laxminarayan temples and cenotaphs.
Click Here for Reservation / More Information.
Within
the span of 100 years, from 950-1050 A.D., all the temples were completed.
Of the original 85, today only 22 have survived. These temples are a
collective salute to life, joy and creativity.The temples can be said to have a theme: woman. A celebration of womankind, her myriad moods and facets. These are carvings of a woman writing a letter, applying make-up to her eyes, combing her tresses, dancing, playing with her child. Innocent, coquettish, smiling, seductive, passionate and beautiful, all depicted in intricate detail, sharply etched, sculpted with consummate skill.
HOW TO GET THERE
By Air : A daily Boeing 737 service links Khajuraho with Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Kathmandu.
By Rail : The nearest railheads are Mahoba and Harpalpur. Jhansi is a convenient railhead for those travelling from Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai while for those coming from Mumbai, Calcutta and Varanasi the railhead is Satna, on the Mumbai- Allahabad section of the Central Railway is ideal. Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Agra and Varanasi are some important cities linked by train to the railheads.
By Road : Khajuraho is connected by regular and direct bus services with Chhatarpur, Mahoba, Harpalpur, Satna, Panna, Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra, Sagar, Jabalpur, Indore, Bhopal, Varanasi and Allahabad.
LOCAL
TRANSPORTThere are Taxis, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws for use locally as well as for excursions. Bicycles can be taken on hire for a full day.
EXCURSIONS
RANEH FALLS (19 km) on the Ken river are famous for their formations. The main attraction 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 makes it an ideal picnic spot.
KEN NATURAL TRAIL (22 km), within walking distance from Raneh Falls, is a jungle track exhibiting natural beauty and imparts a knowledge of the surroundings.
KEN GHARIAL SANCTUARY (24 km) is at the confluence of the Ken and Khudar rivers further down Reneh Falls and Natural Trail. This is a natural home of the long snouted variety of crocodiles.
PANNA NATIONAL PARK (25 km), a 30 minute drive from Khajuraho, is spread over 543 sq.km. along the eastern bank of the Ken river. It has dense dry deciduous and mixed forests of teak, bamboo, sheesham and achar. There are also rocky gorges, 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.
ORCHHA (165 km) : Eight km off the Khajuraho- Jhansi highway (19 km from Jhansi), this is a medieval city flanked by the Betwa river. Thee 16th and 17th century palaces and temples here have withstood the ravages of time. Paintings and mirrorwork, intricate stairways and delicate trellis work in Jehangir Mahal, Raj Mahal and Rai Praveen Mahal are enchanting. In the fort complex MP Tourism has converted Sheesh Mahal into a heritage hotel. Adding to the architectural beauty are the Ram Raja, Chaturbhuj and Laxminarayan temples and cenotaphs.
Click Here for Reservation / More Information.
