"Khajuraho Temple Complex: A Testament to Divine Splendor and Artistic Mastery"

Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India, is renowned for its exquisite temples adorned with intricate sculptures and architectural brilliance. Dating back to the Chandela dynasty of the 10th and 11th centuries, the Khajuraho temples represent a remarkable fusion of religion, art, and cultural expression. This comprehensive description will delve into the historical context, architectural features, religious significance, and artistic motifs that define the splendor of Khajuraho.

1. The Khajuraho: The name Khajuraho, or Kharjuravāhaka, is derived from ancient Sanskrit (kharjura, खर्जूर means date palm, and vāhaka, वाहक means "one who carries" or bearer). Local legends state that the temples had two golden date-palm trees as their gate (missing when they were rediscovered). Desai states that Kharjuravāhaka also means scorpion bearer, which is another symbolic name for deity Shiva (who wears snakes and scorpion garlands in his fierce form).

2. Cunningham's nomenclature and systematic documentation work in 1850s and 1860s have been widely adopted and continue to be in use. He grouped the temples into the Western group around Lakshmana, Eastern group around Javeri, and Southern group around Duladeva. The Khajuraho Group of Monuments are a group of Hindu and Jain temples in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh, India. They are about 175 kilometres (109 mi) southeast of Jhansi, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from Khajwa, 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) from Rajnagar, and 49 kilometres (30 mi) from district headquarter Chhatarpur. The temples are famous for their Nagara-style architectural symbolism and a few erotic sculptures.

3. Location: The Khajuraho monuments are located in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, in Chatarpur district, about 620 kilometres (385 mi) southeast of New Delhi. The temples are located near a small town also known as Khajuraho, with a population of about 24,481 people (2011 Census). Khajuraho is served by Civil Aerodrome Khajuraho (IATA Code: HJR), with services to Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Mumbai. The site is also linked by the Indian Railways service, with the railway station located approximately six kilometres from the entrance to the monuments. The monuments are about ten kilometres off the east-west National Highway 75, and about 50 kilometres from the city of Chhatarpur, which is connected to the state capital Bhopal by the SW-NE running National Highway 86.

4. The 10th-century Bhand Deva Temple in Rajasthan was built in the style of the Khajuraho monuments and is often referred to as 'Little Khajuraho'.

5. History: The Khajuraho group of monuments was built during the rule of the Chandela dynasty. The building activity started almost immediately after the rise of their power, throughout their kingdom to be later known as Bundelkhand. Most temples were built during the reigns of the Hindu kings Yashovarman and Dhanga. Yashovarman's legacy is best exhibited by the Lakshmana Temple. Vishvanatha temple best highlights King Dhanga's reign. The largest and currently most famous surviving temple is Kandariya Mahadeva built in the reign of King Vidyadhara. The temple inscriptions suggest many of the currently surviving temples were complete between 970 and 1030 AD, with further temples completed during the following decades. The Khajuraho temples were built about 35 miles from the medieval city of Mahoba,[19] the capital of the Chandela dynasty, in the Kalinjar region. In ancient and medieval literature, their kingdom has been referred to as Jijhoti, Jejahoti, Chih-chi-to and Jejakabhukti.

6. The first documented mention of Khajuraho was made in 641 by Xuanzang, a Chinese pilgrim who described encountering several dozen inactive Buddhist monasteries and a dozen Hindu temples with a thousand worshipping brahmins. In 1022 CE, Khajuraho was mentioned by Abu Rihan-al-Biruni, the Persian historian who accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni in his raid of Kalinjar; he mentions Khajuraho as the capital of Jajahuti.The raid was unsuccessful, and a peace accord was reached when the Hindu king agreed to pay a ransom to Mahmud of Ghazni to end the attack and leave.

7. Architecture: Khajuraho temples, almost all Hindu temple designs, follow a grid geometrical design called vastu-purusha-mandala. This design plan has three important components – Mandala means circle, Purusha is universal essence at the core of Hindu tradition, while Vastu means the dwelling structure.

8. Amalaka: This disk-like architectural element crowns the top of the shikhara (sikhar), symbolizing the cosmic axis and connecting the earthly realm to the heavens. Sikhar (Shikhara): The sikhar refers to the towering spire or superstructure that rises above the sanctum sanctorum (garba griha) of the temple. It is often elaborately adorned and serves as a visual focal point. Garba Griha: The garba griha, or womb chamber, is the innermost sanctum of the temple where the main deity is enshrined. It represents the cosmic center and is the holiest part of the temple. Pradakshina: This is a circumambulatory path that surrounds the garba griha. Devotees walk clockwise around it as part of the worship ritual, symbolizing their journey around the divine. Jagati: The jagati is a raised platform on which the temple stands. It signifies the sacred space of the temple and facilitates the devotees' approach to the deity.

9. Adhisthana: The adhisthana is the temple's base or platform, providing structural support. It often features intricate carvings or relief work depicting various motifs and symbols. Transepts: Transepts are lateral extensions branching out from the main axis of the temple. They may house additional shrines, mandapas, or serve as ceremonial spaces. Kalasha: Kalasha refers to the decorative finial or pot-like structure placed atop the shikhara. It symbolizes abundance, prosperity, and divine energy. Urushninga: This architectural feature is a projection located at the top of the temple's entrance. It often serves as a decorative element and may also have symbolic significance. Antarala: The antarala is a vestibule or intermediate chamber connecting the main sanctum (garba griha) with the mandapa (hall). It acts as a transitional space between the sacred and secular areas of the temple.

10. Maha Mandapa, Mandapa, Ardh Mandap: These are various types of halls or pavilions within the temple complex used for congregational gatherings, rituals, and festivities. The maha mandapa is the largest and most central, followed by the mandapa (hall) and ardh mandap (half hall). East: The orientation of the temple, particularly its entrance (usually facing east), holds symbolic significance in Hindu tradition, aligning with the rising sun and symbolizing the journey from darkness to enlightenment.

11. Arts and sculpture: The Khajuraho temples feature a variety of artwork, of which 10% is sexual or erotic art outside and inside the temples. Some of the temples that have two layers of walls have small erotic carvings on the outside of the inner wall. Some scholars suggest these to be tantric sexual practices. Other scholars state that the erotic arts are part of the Hindu tradition of treating kama as an essential and proper part of human life, and its symbolic or explicit display is common in Hindu temples. James McConnachie, in his history of the Kamasutra, describes the sexual-themed Khajuraho sculptures as "the apogee of erotic art". Twisting, broad-hipped and high breasted nymphs display their generously contoured and bejewelled bodies on exquisitely worked exterior wall panels. These fleshy apsaras run riot across the surface of the stone, putting on make-up, washing their hair, playing games, dancing, and endlessly knotting and unknotting their girdles. ... Beside the heavenly nymphs are serried ranks of griffins, guardian deities and, most notoriously, extravagantly interlocked maithunas, or lovemaking couples.

12. The temples have several thousand statues and artworks, with Kandarya Mahadeva Temple alone decorated with over 870. Some 10% of these iconographic carvings contain sexual themes and various sexual poses. A common misconception is that, since the old structures with carvings in Khajuraho are temples, the carvings depict sex between deities however, the kama arts represent diverse sexual expressions of different human beings. The vast majority of arts depict various aspects the everyday life, mythical stories as well as symbolic display of various secular and spiritual values important in Hindu tradition. For example, depictions show women putting on makeup, musicians making music, potters, farmers, and other folks in their daily life during the medieval era. These scenes are in the outer padas as is typical in Hindu temples. This state which is "like a man and woman in close embrace" is a symbol of moksa, final release or reunion of two principles, the essence (Purusha) and nature (Prakriti).

13. There is iconographic symbolism embedded in the arts displayed in Khajuraho temples. Core Hindu values are expressed in multitude of ways. Even the Kama scenes, when seen in combination of sculptures that precede and follow, depict the spiritual themes such as moksha. In the words of Stella Kramrisch.

14. Tourism and cultural events: The temples in Khajuraho are broadly divided into three parts: the Eastern group, the Southern Group and the Western group of temples of which the Western group alone has the facility of an audio-guided tour wherein the tourists are guided through the seven-eight temples. There is also an audio guided tour developed by the Archaeological Survey of India which includes a narration of the temple history and architecture.

15. The Khajuraho Dance Festival is held every year in February. It features various classical Indian dances set against the backdrop of the Chitragupta or Vishwanath Temples. The Khajuraho temple complex offers a son et lumière (sound and light) show every evening. The first show is in English language and the second, in Hindi. It is held in the open lawns in the temple complex, and has received mixed reviews.[citation needed]

16. Thank You ! “Khajuraho: Where History Comes to Life !”