History
In the 10th to 12th centuries, the city of Khajurao was home to a certain clan of the royal Rajputs – the Chandelas! The Chandelas are said to have been the creators of these fantastic temples that depict daily life in the sculptors. It took 200 years to build the structure and the Chandelas made Khajurao their cultural capital. Though they ruled from another region, this always remained the seat of culture.

About the Temples
The sandstone structures are grouped in three geographical divisions – western, eastern and southern. Though made out of sandstone, not a single mortar was said to be used while building these. Stones were placed together with the help of mortise and tenon joints and held together with the help of gravity. There were originally 80 temples, of which only about 25 are still standing. These are scattered over an area of 20 kms.

The deities inside the sanctum were never flanked by any erotic sculptures. These were part of the depiction on the outer walls about daily life or probably inclining people to leave sexual desires outside the temple. Many theories have developed as to the display of these in a comparatively conservative society like India.

Not to Miss
The light and sound show is organised every day at the Khajurao Temples which is a good way to understand the history and orient yourself to the place. The show is held on both English and Hindi.

The Khajurao Dance Festival is a rapidly growing attraction for many. The festival is organised in February.

Entry Fee
Indians need to pay Rs 10/- to enter the temple complex and the fee is US$5.00 for foreign nationals. However, please check the rates before entering as they may be subject to change.

Timing
The temples open at sunrise and close after the sun sets.

Best Season to Go
Located in the heart of the nation, Khajurao gets very hot during the summers. The best time to visit ifs between October and March.

How to get there
The best way to get to Khajurao, other than a direct flight to Khajurao Airport, is by train. Agra is will connected to Khajurao by two regular trains. The other connection to Khajurao is via Jhansi, where you will have to travel by the road. It takes approximately 4 hours on this route.

Other Things to Do
This region can well be called the wildlife hub of India, as three major national parks are situated here. Spend some time by extending your itinerary to cover Panna, Kanha and Bandhavgarh. Another interesting place off Khajurao is Orchha, a city of forts and grandeur.

Where to Stay
See our Khajurao homestay collection for some excellent accommodation choices in the area.

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The most well known treasures of the State are the famous Khajuraho temples. The unique temples keep the world’s imagination captured even today due to their erotic art and lifelike carvings. However, there’s a lot more to the temples than just their art and architecture. A beautifully presented Light and Sound Show takes people through the mythical and factual history of the temples. The show is held twice a night on the ground of the main temple complex. A few hours’ drive from Khajuraho is Orchha, a city which exudes grandeur and history.

Khajuraho temples

The Orchha Fort is one of India’s most spectacular. But what attracts people to Orchha in millions is the Ram Raja Temple. The temple is supposed to have wish-fulfilling abilities and it is the only place in the world where Rama is worshipped as a king and not a God. Another city that speaks of royal splendour, even today, is Gwalior. The city has an enviable history yet it has many modern developments. It has one of the most respected schools in India and palace which has some of the most spectacular artefacts. Mementos of the dynasties that ruled over Gwalior in the past can be seen in their grand creations such as palaces, temples and monuments.

Other than glimpses into the splendours of Indian royalty, Madhya Pradesh also possesses a chapter, invaluable to human history. One of the things to do in Madhya Pradesh is, without doubt, a trip to Bhimbetka.

The Orchha Fort

In this small city over 500 caves from the Neolithic age were recently found. In these caves we can see paintings made by pre-historic man. The paintings depict pre-historic life through scenes showing dancing, music, hunting, domestic life and so much more, a chilling sight to behold. Another such location is in Pachmarhi. In Pachmarhi’s Mahadeo Hills you can see a bounty of rock paintings. Many of these creations date back to as far as 10,000 years.

Sanchi Stupa

Comparatively close to Bhimbetka is Sanchi, a city famous world over for its treasure of Buddhist monuments. Here, you can find a plethora of Buddhist monasteries, stupas and architecture. A lot of these creations were built in the 3rd century B.C. and the most well known amongst them is the Sanchi Stupa 1, which was built by Emperor Ashoka. A sandstone pillar near the stupa bears Emperors Ashoka’s caveat against divisions in the Buddhist community.

Bandhavgarh National Park

Amongst Madhya Pradesh’s most valued treasures is Bandhavgarh, a small but rich national park where you have the highest chance of spotting a tiger in India. This National Park also houses a lavish Fort Bandhavgarh, which is about 2000 years old. Before leaving Bandhavgarh you must meet Mohan, a stuffed White Tiger that’s placed on display at the Palace of the Rewas. The Kanha National Park was created as a Tiger Reserve. Although Tiger spotting is rare here Kanha is the sole sanctuary for the hardground Barasingha and a haven for bird lovers. One of the most majestic natural wonders of the world is also located in Madhya Pradesh. This sight is none other than the Marble Rocks of Bhedaghat. Rising high above the Earth and bisected by River Narmada are these magnificent natural creations. The Marble cliffs, glittering brightly are an unforgettable and incomparable sight.

From natural wealth to prehistoric treasures, Madhya Pradesh is one of the richest States in India. Its vast array of wonders is nearly impossible to fit into a short trip and deserve at least a week to soak in comfortably.

Madhya Pradesh tourism: Practical Information

• Madhya Pradesh is a large State and it is well-connected to major Indian metros. Khajuraho and Gwalior have small airports. But flights to Gwalior are very few in number.
• To come in from Delhi one can take a train to Jhansi from where private cabs can take you to the Alipura Palace homestay. Alipura Palace is a good hub for those travelling to Orchha and Khajuraho, while those looking to cover Khajuraho and Bandhavgarh will find Mahindra homestays such as Rajmandir in Nagod a delightful option.
• Public transport is not easily accessible as the cities are far from each other. The best modes of transport are trains or, if the budget permits, private cabs. Bookings made by homestay owners go a long way in travelling safely yet at a reasonable price.
• The Light and Sound Show is performed twice a day and a ticket costs roughly Rs 90 per person.
  There are three major temple complexes in Khajuraho and one shouldn’t leave the place without seeing them all.
• Tripods are not allowed within the complex unless prior permission is obtained after going through a complex and tedious process.
• Travelling to the State between late March and July is ill-advised as the summers are unforgiving and the situation is worsened by daily power-cuts.

Get more information on Madhya Pradesh

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1. The Holy Trinity
Khajuraho is a UNESCO world heritage site located in Madhya Pradesh, India. The site draws millions of visitors from across the world who are fascinated by the temples’ erotic and intricate carvings. Unbeknownst to most people, there are actually three temple complexes in Khajuraho – the Western, the Southern and the Eastern. The main complex is the Western complex where temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Laxmana stand stoic and proud. Less than 2 kilometers away are the other two sections, where one can also see many temples dedicated to Jain teerthankaras.

2. Let there be Light and Sound
Narrated by Amitabh Bachchan, a one hour long light and sound show tells the remarkable story of the 1000-year old heritage site. The show is held on the premises of the main complex and combines the temples’ legendary tales with their illustrious history. The show also illustrates the deeper meaning of the depictions seen on the temples and helps convey the larger message of the temple’s creator.

3. Take away
In Khajuraho there plenty of shops that sell clothes, artifacts, souvenirs and much more. While there are plenty of the traditional t-shirts and bags you shouldn’t leave without buying a few cheeky mementos to take home. Look out for bottle openers, statues and key chains with motifs that have been inspired by the temple’s erotic side. The mementos are inexpensive and make fun gifts for friends and family.

4. Feast with royalty
Right across from the main complex are many cafes and restaurants offering cuisines from all across the world. If you want to enjoy the true flavor of the region, then another option is dining at a homestay where you will be served delicious homemade dishes, which are often made using secret family recipes.

5. Made to order
Popular beer brands are easily available in most places in Khajuraho but if you wish to have a locally brewed delicacy, then the Mahua will be perfect for you. The delicious and potent drink is almost exclusively made in the area of Nagod, near Khajuraho, and is a great way to experience the regional flavour. Mahua isn’t bottled or mass produced but given prior notice the homestays in Nagod would be happy to arrange it for you.

6. Orange sunset from the Blue Sky
Directly opposite the main complex is the Blue Sky Restaurant and their charming tree house is a wonderful place to watch the sun as it sets behind the temples of Khajuraho. There is a charge for in the tree house as opposed to the other parts of the restaurant but it’s certainly worth the extra Rs. 50 per person.

7. Be treated like royalty and like family
Unlike a few of the uninspiring hotels of Khajuraho, a truly unforgettable experience is to stay in one of the homestays nearby. The ideal options are the Alipura Palace in Alipur and Rajmandir in Nagod. Both homestays are less than two hours away from Khajuraho and share a royal history. While the Alipura Palace is up to 300 years old and exudes mesmerising old world charm, the Rajmandir in Nagod is a charming fusion of Indian heritage and modern conveniences. Both the homestays and their families are immensely warm and welcoming. A stay with them will be the perfect complement to a day at the historical Khajuraho temples.

Practical Information

• Khajuraho has its own airport connecting it to most Indian metros.

• Tripods are not allowed inside the site without prior, written permission. Although, small lockers are available inside for use it is wiser to leave them in the car or the room.

• Ideal time to visit Khajuraho is between late October and March.

• Tickets to the light and sound show are available for Rs. 90. The show is held twice a night. At 6:30 pm in English and at 7:40 in Hindi. Timings are subject to change.

• Khajuraho is approximately 125 kilometers from Nagod as well as Alipura.

• Private and reliable cabs can be readily organized by the homestay owners at reasonable prices.

• Credit cards are not accepted in most places and ATMs are seen rather infrequently.

Have your own tips for things to do or about the temples of Khajuraho? Add a comment to share them with us.

Find out more about the temples of Khajuraho and look for a homestay on the Mahindra Homestays website.

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