India is the cradle of human race,” said Mark Twain; “We owe a lot to Indians, who taught us to count”

India is the cradle of human race,” said Mark Twain; “We owe a lot to Indians, who taught us to count”: To be included on the World Heritage List, sites must be of outstanding universal value and meet at least one out of ten selection criteria. And India, no doubt, has many such sites listed in the UNESCO world heritage sites’ list.

Khajuraho - The Temple City Of Central India

Khajuraho is Located in the Chhatarpur District of Madhya Pradesh.Situated in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho temples are known worldover for its erotic sculptures. The name Khajuraho is derived from the Hindi word 'khajur' meaning date palm. Khajuraho temples were built by the Chandela rulers during the 9th and 10th century AD. Originally there were 85 temples, but now 22 temples are present. Khajuraho temple complex has been divided into three categories namely – Western Group, Southern Group and Eastern Group.The temples Chausath-Yogini, Brahma and Mahadeva made up of granite and others are made up of sandstone, buff, pink or pale yellow in colour.The temple of Vishnu which is now famous as Lakshmana temple built by Yasovarman.The Visvanatha, Parsvanatha and Vaidyanatha temples belong to the time of king Dhanga. King Ganda built Kandariya Mahadeva. Passion,art,lifestyle and culture showcases in the temples of Khajuraho.

Western Group of Temples-The western group of temples is the largest group of temples.It include some of the most famous temples.The western group of temples include Lakshmana Temple, Chausath Yogini, Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Chitragupta Temple, Matangeswara Temple, Vishwanath Temple, Varaha Temple.

Kandariya Mahadev - It is the most magnificent temple in the western group.It is the largest and dedicated temple to Lord Shiva.The inner portion of the temple is beautifully decorted and the carved ceilings,pillars added beauty to it.The temple built with sandstone. The Kandariya Mahadev temple is divided into ardhamandapa, mandapa, a mahamandapa supported with pillars, the garbagriha.The outer wall shows ,god- goddesses, groups of lovers.

Chausath Yogini – It is the oldest among all and dedicated to Kali.Its name Chausath comes from the 64 Yogini`s of Goddess Kali and one belong to Goddess herself .Today ,only 35 Shrines remain. Chausath Yogini Temple built of granite.

Lakshmana Temple -The Lakshmana Temple is dedicated to the Vaikuntha form of Lord Vishnu.The temple is decorated with various images of gods and goddess in the Hindu Pantheon.It is one of the most preserved temples of khajuraho. The temple is well known for the three-headed idol of the incarnations of Vishnu they are, Narasimha and Varaha.

Chitragupta Temple – It was built between AD 1000-1025.This temple is dedicated to Sun God. It is famous for a Nandi Bull facing the shrine.

Vishwanatha Temple – This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and built by King Dhanga. The temple has entrances with magnificent stone lions guarding northern steps and southern steps are guarded by elephants.
Varaha Temple - The Varaha is dedicated to Vishnu's boar incarnation.
Devi Jagdambi Temple – It is decorated with some of the rare sculptures.Uppermost portion of these temples show some of the most erotic sculptures in Khajuraho temples.It is dedicated to Goddess Kali but was originally dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Matangeswara Temple – The temple is dedicated to Lord shiva.It is outside the premises of Western temple. Matangeswara Temple is famous for 8 feet high lingam.

The Eastern Group

The eastern group of temples divided into two groups Jain temples and Hindu temples.The three Jain temples in the eastern group of Khajuraho temples are Parasvnath temple , the Adinath temple and the Ghantai temple. The three main Hindu temples of the group are the Brahma, the Vamana and the Javari.

Adinath temple – This temple is dedicated to the Jain saint, Adinath.This temple is famous for Carved figures of the Yakshis.

Parsvanath temple – It is the largest jain temple among the eastern group.Carvings are taken from day to day activities.The temple is decorated with beautiful sculptures of celestial beauties.

Ghantai Temple – In this temple you can see a jain goddess on a winged Garuda.Here you can also see carved 16 dreams of the mother of Lord Mahavira.

Brahma temple –This temple is famous for four faced statue of Brahma.

Vamana Temple – The outer walls of this temple shows beautiful carvings of apsaras in different sensuous moods.

Javari temple –This temple is famous for its magnificent architecture and design complex due to which a lot of tourist attracts towards the Javari temple.It is also one of the best Hindu temple in Khajuraho.

Hanuman Temple – Here you could worship 8 feet tall statue of Hanuman.

The Southern group

Dulhadeo temple – The temple dedicated to lord Shiva.Inside the temple there is huge Shiv lingaThe figures carved on the walls are heavy ornamented.The Dulhadeo temple also known as ‘Kunwar Math'.

Chaturbhuj Temple - The exotic sculptor inhances its glamour and elegance of the place.The architecture consist of the mahamandapa and an ardhmandapa, sanctum, shikhara and an antarala.

A combination of science and art of architecture the temples have a very interesting legend behind them that connects them to the origin of Chandela dynasty. The khajuraho temple were built during the reign of the Chandelas who trace their origin to the mythical sage Chandratreya born of the moon. According to the different versions Khajuraho owes its existence from maiden named Hemvati. Hemavati, was a beautiful young daughter of a Brahmin priest and she was a child widow. One day while bathing in the river Rati she was seduced by the moon god. The Moon god, mesmerized by her beauty. A son was born of this union between a human and a god. He was named Chandravarman by his mother. To save herself and her child she took refuge in the dense forest of Central India as she was a child widow. The boy grew up to become a brave king who went on to establish the great Chandela dynasty. When he was established as a ruler, he had a dream-where his mother implored him to build temples that would reveal human passions and thus would bring hidden human desires into open.The temples of Khajuraho attracts tourists towards its erotic sculptures on the temples walls. Though highly sensual and erotic, the engravings on these temples have a symbolic importance and there have been many interpretations of their existence.The motive behind the temple means that if a person wants to achieve God, he has to forget all this at the outset.

The Khajuraho group of monuments has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the top tourist places of India. Khajuraho, the temple city of central India, is famous throughout the world for its exquisitely carved temples. Thousands of visitors and tourists from all over the world visit the Khajuraho temples every year.