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.
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.
Kandriya Khajuraho
Dance FestivalIndian 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.
