Khajuraho

Khajuraho is a small town located in the Chhatarpur District of Madhya Pradesh that is famous for its Hindu and Jain temples. The temples, which have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, depict incredibly intricate (and erotic) rock sculptures of the Kama Sutra and other Hindu art.
The Vindhya mountain range provides a dramatic backdrop to the town, although the ‘Khajuraho Group of Monuments’ are undoubtedly the star attraction here. These temples are of Indo-Aryan architecture and were built between 950 and 1050 AD, during the Chandela dynasty. After the decline of the Chandela in the 13th century, the structures were left under a thick cover of date trees for many years before they were rediscovered, giving the town of Khajuraho its name. (Khajur in Hindi means “date.”)
The site features 85 of the original temples, divided into three sections. The western group are the largest and best known, containing the most impressive temple of all – the magnificent Kandariya Mahadev.

Practical Info

The Khajuraho Railway Station is five kilometers from Khajuraho Town, with trains arriving from New Delhi. Khajuraho also has its own domestic airport. A good time to visit is during February and March when the western group of temples becomes the stage for the week-long Festival of Dance.