Khajuraho is part of central India tourism. Khajuraho is on the route of Jhansi - Orchha & Khajuraho. Khajuraho is very small town & famous for world heritage temples. The art of Madhya Pradesh at once brings in to mind the exuberant art and the creativity immortalized in the figurative molds in the temples of Khajuraho. The temples of Khajuraho are one of India's major attractions & highly recommended to visit this place during india trip. Khajuraho is heart of Madhya Pradesh. It attracts tourist from every where like magnet attracts iron. Khajuraho is named because tree of Khajur is available in large quantity. Bandhavgarh wildlife reserve is very near to khajuraho and highly recommended to take safari whenever you come to Khajuraho Or visit Khajuraho another wildlife reserve is nearby and can enjoy safari in Bandhavagarh national park. Both these tourist destinations are part of Madhya prdaesh.

Once a great Chandella capital, Khajuraho is now a quiet village of over 6000 people. The temples are superb examples of Indo-Aryan architecture, but it's the decorations with which they are so liberally embellished, that have made Khajuraho famous. Around the temples are bands of exceedingly fine and artistically carved stonework.

There are sculptors, which have shown many aspects of Indian life, 1000 years ago - gods and goddesses, warriors and musicians, real and mythological animals. But two elements appear over and over again and in grater detail than anything else - women and sex.

Stone figures of apsaras, or celestial maidens, appear on every temple. They pout and pose for all the world like pin-up models posing for the camera. In between are the mithuna, erotic figures, running through a whole Kamasutra of positions and possibilities.

Why did the Chandelas choose Khajuraho or Khajirvahila - garden of dates, as it was known then - as the site for their stupendous creations? Even in those days it was no more than a small village. It is possible given the eclectic patronage of the Chandelas and the wide variety of beliefs represented in the temples, that they had the concept of forming a seat of religion and learning at Khajuraho. It is possible that the Chandelas were also believers in the powers of Tantrism; the cult which believes that the gratification of earthly desires is a step closer to the attainment of the infinite. It is certain however, that the temples represent the expression of a highly matured civilization. Yet another theory is that the erotica of Khajuraho, and indeed of other temples, had a specific purpose. In those days when boys lived in hermitages, following the Hindu law of being "brahmacharis" until they attained manhood, the only way they could prepare themselves for the worldly role of 'householder' was through the study of these sculptures and the earthly passions they depicted.

When To Visit Khajuraho

Kandriya Khajuraho Dance Festival : -
Indian dance lovers the world over can feast their eyes and senses at this celebration of the beauty of the Khajuraho temples. The 7-day Khajuraho Dance Festival highlights the richness of the Indian classical dance and music and draws the best classical dancers in India every year, who perform against the spectacular backdrop of the magnificently lit temples. The various classical styles of Indian dance performed here are Kathak, Odissi, Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Kathakali. Modern Indian dance is a recent addition.

• Western Group : -
  The Western group is certainly the best known, because it is to this group that the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple belongs : the Kandariya Mahadev. Perfectly symmetrical, it soars 31 km high.
  • Kandariya Mahadeo
  • Chaunsat Yogini
  • Chitragupta Temple
  • Vishwanath Temple
  • Lakshamana Temple
  • Matangeshwara Temple

• Eastern Group : -
  • Parsavanatha Temple
  • Ghantai Temple
  • Adinatha Temple
  • Shanti Nath
  • Javari
  • Vamana
  • Brahma & Hanuman
  • Duladeo
  • Chaturbhuja

• Southern Group : -
  This group comprises of only two temples. A track running south from the Jain enclosure reaches the first at a distance of one Kilometer. Called Buladeo Temple. It is among he latest built temples at Khajuraho, more accurate, finer and equally graceful, with figures of Mithuna and women in various poses. The other temple is about 3 kilometers. Of the Chaturbhuj Temple which has a 3 meter high image of Vishnu. This temple is situated to the south of the river. The sculptures and statues play such an important part in the total design that many have their own terminology :
  • Apsara - heavenly nymph, beautiful dancing woman.
  • Mithuna - Khajuraho's most famous image, sensuously carved and erotic.
  • Salabhanjika - female figure with tee, which together act as supporting brackets in the inner chambers of the temple.
  • Sardula - a mythical beast partially lion and partially some other animal or even human.