2. Introduction
Khajuraho is a small town located in
the bundelkhand region Chhatarpur
District of Madhya Pradesh and is
well-known for groups of Hindu and
Jain temples.
3. History
The temples of Khajuraho were built
between 950 to 1050 A.D. during the
Chandela dynasty of Central. After the
refuse of the Chandela dynasty in 13th
century, the temples were left under
the cover of dense date palm trees for
many years, which gave the city of
Khajuraho its name, Khajur in Hindi
means a date. In the ancient times it
was known as Vatsa . In 1838, a British
army engineer, Captain T.S. Burt
rediscovered them. By that time only
22 of the original 85 temples had
survived.
4. Khajuraho temple
The temples are grouped into
three physical divisions :
Western group of Temples :
Lakhmana Temple Kandariya Mahadeo
Temple Devi Jagdamba Temple Chaunsat
Yogini Chitragupta Temple
Matanageswara Temple
Eastern Group of Temples:
Parsvanath Temple Ghantai Temple
Adinath Temple Hanuman Temple
Brahma Temple Vamana Temple Javari
Temple
Southern Group of Temples:
Dulhadev Temple Beejamandal Temple
Chattarbhuj Temple Or The Jatkari
Temple
5. Western Group of Temples
Lakhmana Temple : The oldest and
finest of the western group of temples,
named after the ruler that built the
temple. The A horizontal beam over
the entrance of this stunning
Vaishnavite temple shows the trinity of
Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva with
Lakshmi, Vishnus consort.
Kandariya Mahadeo Temple: This
temple is ornamented with a
abundance of sculptures that are
among the greatest masterpieces of
Indian art.
6. Devi Jagdamba Temple : devoted to the
Goddess( devi ), this is smaller and much
more delicately proportioned temple and
is home to some of the finest sculptures of
Khajuraho.The garbha griha has a
enormous image of the Devi of the
Universe (Jagdambi), though it appears to
have started as a Vishnu temple. It has the
usual three bands of sculptures, but the
third and most highest of these houses
some of the most erotic sculptures.
7. Eastern Group of Temples
Adinath Temple : devoted to Jain
Tirthankar(God), adinath, the temple is
plentifully overstated with sculpted
figures, including yakshis. Brahma
Temple : measured to be one of the oldest
temples of Khajuraho made entirely in
granite and sandstone, is devoted to
Vishnu.
Vamana Temple : Vamana Temple is the
dwarf form of Lord Vishnu, situated in a
secluded place and is known for its simple
architecture.
8. Southern Group of Temples:
Dulhadev Temple : The very last temple of
Khajuraho, lies to the south of Ghantai
temple. The temple enshrines a
Shivalingam. The apsara and decorated
figures are the temple's most striking
features. Beejamandal Temple : It is a
ruined temple, and is near the
Chattarbhuj Temple.
Chattarbhuj Temple Or The Jatkari
Temple : Built in 1100 A.D., is renowned
for its construction, and is also the only
temple to be devoid of any erotic
sculpture. 3 km away from the Eastern
Group. Facing West, have to take 10
steps to reach the sanctum. The massive
9 feet intricately carved Vishnu idol in
Chaturbhuja (four-armed).
9. Khajuraho dance festival
Khajuraho dance festival The Khajuraho
Dance Festival takes place every year during
the spring and this festival celebrates the
splendor of the temples. The festival is of
classical dances is held every year in February
or March and continues for one week. It takes
place against the spectacular backdrop of the
splendid temples.
The Khajuraho Dance Festival is a cultural
festival that tourist attractions the richness
and depth of the different Indian classical
dance styles such as Kathak, Bharatnatyam,
Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Kathakali.
The performances are given by of some of the
best exponents in the field. contemporary
Indian dance has also been integrated lately.
10. The main idea behind organizing this
dance festival is to make the heritage
of Khajuraho related to the present day
society and also for the coming
generations. This festival is attended
by number of tourists. Number of
seminars and workshops take place
during the Khajuraho Dance festival
which is attended by renowned artists
and craftsmen.
