Khajuraho: the temples forgotten twice
Located approximately 175 kilometres southeast of Jhansi in the Chhatarpur district of the state of Madhya Pradesh, India the Khajuraho temples were discovered by British army captain T.S Burt as he followed an unknown trail and came across the magnificent hidden temples in 1838.
Interestingly, the temples were earlier forgotten by the 16th century as Khajuraho became an insignificant place and was only “rediscovered” by C. J. Franklin (a military surveyor) in 1819.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the temples are known for their Nagara style of architecture that is influenced by both Jainism and Hinduism. Most of the Khajuraho temples were constructed by the Chandela dynasty between 950 and 1050 AD. According to historical records, the Khajuraho temple complex included 85 temples spread across 20 km2 area by the end of 12th century. Unfortunately, only 22 out of the 85 temples remain today. However, these 22 are eager to tell you a story!
Mythological History:
According to legend, a woman named Hemvati was once bathing in a serene pool or the Rati Talab, that is the big beautiful pond of lotuses, when her radiant beauty captivated the Moon God. Enchanted, he descended from the heavens, and together they had a son named Chandravarman. Hemvati, however, was troubled by the fate of her child, fearing he would face scorn for being born out of wedlock. In her sorrow, she cursed the Moon God. In response, the deity foretold a different destiny for Chandravarman—that he would rise to become a mighty king.
True to this prophecy, Chandravarman grew into a powerful ruler and laid the foundation for the illustrious Chandela dynasty. After Hemvati passed, her spirit appeared to Chandravarman in a dream, urging him to build temples that would capture the essence of human passion. In memory of his beloved mother, the temples of Khajuraho were erected—magnificent structures immortalizing the blend of divine love and earthly desires.
The Rati Talab is in the western complex of the temple area.
Temple Architecture:
India’s temples are not just places of worship—they are architectural marvels, each telling a unique story of history, art, and devotion.
Indian temple architecture is a captivating blend of art, religion, and science, evolving over centuries and reflecting the region’s rich cultural diversity. Broadly classified into three styles—Nagara (northern), Dravidian (southern), and Vesara (a mix of both)—each temple form showcases distinct architectural elements.
The temples of Khajuraho exemplify the Nagara style of temple architecture, featuring key elements like a sanctum, ante-chamber, maha mandapa, and circumambulation path (Pradakshina-path) with large windows. The temples, aligned to face the sunrise, showcase intricate carvings of Hindu deities, mythology, and the four life goals: dharma, kama, artha, and moksha.
PICTURE OF THE CARVINGS
Renowned for their architectural and sculptural beauty, the Chandelas’ love for music and dance is reflected in the temple carvings, with scenes of musical and dancing performances. Additionally, Khajuraho is famous for its erotic sculptures, particularly at the Kandariya Mahadeva and Vishwanath Temples, where celestial nymphs symbolize female beauty, fertility, and the significance of kama in human life.
Interesting Facts
1. The name Khajuraho is taken from the Hindi word khajur, meaning ‘date palm’. It is said once the city was surrounded by nothing but date palm trees and therefore the name. But there’s another story, which states that the name originated from Khajura-vahaka (scorpion bearer), which is a symbolic name for Shiva.
2. It was believed that the devotees are sincere if they stand unmoved at the sight of these obscene figures. If not, they will leave the temple without bowing down before the deity; as one can reach to the sanctum only after attaining control on all the senses. These carvings account for only 10% of the sculptures, the rest depict the normal life of the common man of the bygone era.
3. The temples were built by almost every ruler of the Chandela dynasty. These temples were built between AD 900 and 1130. It was the golden period of Chandella rulers. It is presumed that every Chandella ruler has built at least one temple in his lifetime. No single ruler can be attributed with the erection of the entire temple complex.
4. The temples in Khajuraho Mandir can be divided into three groups: the Eastern group, the Southern group, and the Western group of temples.
5. The most visited temple, Kandariya Mahadev covers an area of about 6,500 square feet and a Shikhara (spire) that climbs 116 feet.
6. The Khajuraho group of temples belongs to the Vaishnavism School of Hinduism, Saivism School of Hinduism and Jainism. This interesting mix of influences lends a unique identity to this place.
7. The erotic carvings on the temple display the fact that sensual and sexual depictions were not considered a taboo in medieval India.
8. Mahmud of Ghazni raided the Chandelas’ territory in 1022 CE, and destroyed many of the temples.
