Khajuraho Group of Monuments

2014-05-23T19:31:32Z

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{{Redirect|Khajuraho|for the town in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India|Khajuraho, Rajasthan}}
{{Infobox World Heritage Site
| WHS = Khajuraho Group of Monuments
| Image = [[Image:Khajuraho5.jpg|275px|A typical temple at Khajuraho with divine couples. Note lace-like ornamentation on the major and the minor shikharas.]]
| State Party = [[India]]
| Type = Cultural
| Criteria = i, iii
| ID = 240
| Region = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Asia|Asia-Pacific]]
| Year = 1986
| Session = 10th
| Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/240
}}

The '''Khajuraho Group of Monuments''' in Khajuraho, a town in the [[States and territories of India|Indian state]] of [[Madhya Pradesh]], located in [[Chhatarpur District]], about {{convert|620|km|mi|0}} southeast of [[New Delhi]], is one of the most popular [[tourist destinations in India]]. Khajuraho has the largest group of [[medieval]] [[Hindu]] and [[Jain]] [[temple]]s, famous for their [[erotic sculpture]]s.

Between 950 and 1150, the [[Chandela]] monarchs built these temples when the [[Tantra|Tantric]] tradition may have been accepted. In the days before the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] conquests, when boys lived in [[Hermitage_(religious_retreat)|hermitages]], following ''[[brahmacharya]]'' until they became men, they could learn about the world and prepare themselves to become householders through examining these sculptures and the worldly desires they depicted.<ref>[http://www.mptourism.com/web/explore/destinations/khajurao.aspx Khajuraho]</ref>

The name Khajuraho, ancient "Kharjuravāhaka", is derived from the [[Sanskrit]] words ''kharjura'' = [[date palm]] and ''vāhaka'' = "one who carries". Locals living in the Khajuraho village always knew about and kept up the temples as best as they could. They were pointed out to the English in the late 19th century when the jungles had taken a toll on the monuments. In the 19th century, British engineer T.S. Burt arrived in the area, followed by General [[Alexander Cunningham]]. Cunningham put Khajuraho on the world map when he explored the site on behalf of the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] and described what he found in glowing terms. The Khajuraho Group of Monuments has been listed as a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]], and is considered to be one of the [[Times of India's list of seven wonders of India|"seven wonders" of India]].

== Town ==
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'''Khajuraho''' is a town in the [[States and territories of India|Indian state]] of [[Madhya Pradesh]], located in [[Chhatarpur District]], about {{convert|620|km|mi|0}} southeast of [[New Delhi]], the capital city of [[India]]. According to the 2001 India [[census]],<ref>{{GR|India}}</ref> Khajuraho has a population of 19,282. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. The town has an average literacy rate of 53%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 62%, and female literacy is 43%. In Khajuraho, 19% of the population is under 6 years of age. Khajuraho is located at {{Coord|24.85|N|79.93|E|}}<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/35/Khajuraho.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Khajuraho]</ref> and has an average elevation of 283 metres (928 feet).

Khajuraho is served by [[Khajuraho Airport]] and there is a railway station approximately six km by car from the town centre.

== History =
Khajuraho Temples History : Madhya Pradesh is land of great antiquity. Madhya Pradesh is the home of monuments representative of various periods of history. Among most popular world heritage sites of Central India like Rock paintings, Buddhist Stupas and Temples, Khajuraho is known for its ornate temples that are spectacular piece of human imagination, artistic creativity, magnificent architectural work and deriving spiritual peace through eroticism.

Khajuraho Temples are among the most beautiful medieval monuments in the country. These temples were built by the Chandella ruler between AD 900 and 1130. It was the golden period of Chandella rulers. It is presumed that it was every Chandella ruler has built atleast one temple in his lifetime. So all Khajuraho Temples are not constructed by any single Chandella ruler but Temple building was a tradition of Chandella rulers and followed by almost all rulers of Chandella dynasty.

The first recorded mention of the Khajuraho temples is in the accounts of Abu Rihan al Biruni in AD 1022 and the Arab traveler Ibn Battuta in AD 1335. Local tradition lists 85 temples in Khajuraho out of which only 25 temples are surviving after various stages of preservation and care. All these temples are scattered over an area of about 9 square miles.

Khajuraho is believed to be the religious capital of Chandellas. Chandella rulers had tried to discriminate politics from religious & cultural activities, so they established their political capital in Mahoba which is about 60km. away from Khajuraho and religious/cultural capital in Khajuraho. Whole Khajuraho was enclosed by a wall with about 8 gates used for entry/exit. It is believed that each gate is flanked by two date/palm trees. Due to these date trees present Khajuraho get its name Khajura-vahika. In hindi language, “Khajura” means ‘Date’ and “Vahika” means ‘Bearing’. In history Khajuraho is also described with the name of Jejakbhukti.

khajuraho temples India
After fall of Chandella dynasty (after AD 1150), Khajuraho Temples suffered destruction & disfigurement by muslim invaders in this area which forced local people to leave Khajuraho. As muslim invaders had a ruling policy of intolerance for worship places of other religions so all the citizens of Khajuraho left the town with a hope that its solitude will not attract attention of muslim invaders into the temple area and in this way both temple and they themselves will remain unhurt. So from about 13th century to 18th century, Khajuraho temples remain in forest cover, away from popularity till it was re-discovered by British engineer T. S. Burt.

The city was the cultural capital of Chandel Rajputs, a Hindu dynasty that ruled this part of India from the 10 to 12th centuries. The political capital of the Chandelas was [[Kalinjar]]. The Khajuraho temples were built over a span of 200 years, from 950 to 1150. The Chandela capital was moved to [[Mahoba]] after this time, but Khajuraho continued to flourish for some time. Khajuraho has no forts because the Chandel Kings never lived in their cultural capital.

The whole area was enclosed by a wall with eight originates, each flanked by two golden palm trees. There were originally over 85 Hindu temples, of which only 25 now stand in a reasonable state of preservation, scattered over an area of about {{convert|20|km2|sqmi|0}}. The erotic sculptures were crafted by Chandella artisans. The temples, maintained by the locals, were pointed out to the English in the late 19th century when the [[jungle]]s had taken a toll on the monuments. Today, the temples serve as fine examples of Indian architectural styles that have gained popularity due to their explicit depiction of sexual life during medieval times.You can see the erotic sculptures on [[Kandariya Mahadev Temple]].

== Architecture ==
[[Image:Khajuraho-Lakshmana temple.JPG|thumb|Lakshmana temple at Khajuraho, a [[panchayatana (temple)|panchayatana]] temple. Two of the four secondary shrines can be seen. [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Khajuraho_tempel_india.jpg Another view] ]]
[[File:Khajuraho Devi Jagadambi Temple 2010.jpg|thumb|Devi Jagadambi Temple]]
[[File:Khajuraho Dulhadeo 2010.jpg|thumb|[[Duladeo Temple]]]]
The temples are grouped into three geographical divisions: western, eastern and southern.

The Khajuraho temples are made of sandstone. The builders didn't use mortar: the stones were put together with [[mortise and tenon]] joints and they were held in place by gravity. This form of construction requires very precise joints. The columns and architraves were built with megaliths that weighed up to 20 tons.<ref>"Lost Worlds of the Kama Sutra" History channel</ref>

The [[Saraswati]] temple on the campus of the [[Birla Institute of Technology and Science]] in [[Pilani]], India, is modeled after the Khajuraho temples.

== Chronology ==
The temples have been assigned the following historical sequence by Dr. Kanhaiyalal Agrawal.<ref>Khajuraho, Kanhaiyalal Agrawal, Macmillan India, 1980 (in Hindi)</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
| '''Sequence'''
| '''Modern name'''
| '''Original Deity'''
| '''Note'''
|-
| 1
| Chausath Yogini
| 64 [[Yogini]]s
| Est. 9th century
|-
| 2
| Brahma
| [[Brahma]]
| Eastern group
|-
| 3
| Lalgun Mahadev
| [[Shiva]]
| Contemp to 2
|-
| 4
| Matangeshwar
| Shiva
| In active worship
|-
| 5
| [[Varaha Temple, Khajuraho|Varaha]]
| Varaha
|
|-
| 6
| [[Lakshmana Temple, Khajuraho India|Lakshmana]]
| [[Vaikuntha Vishnu]]
| Lakshavarma Inscription
|-
| 7
| Parshvanath
| Adinath
| Pahil inscription 954 AD, [[Jain temples of Khajuraho|Jain Compound]]
|-
| 8
| Vishvanath
| Shiva
| Dhanga inscription Sam 1059
|-
| 9
| [[Devi Jagadambi Temple|Devi Jagadambi]]
| Initially [[Vishnu]] but currently [[Parvati]]
|
|-
| 10
| Chitragupta
| [[Surya]]
|
|-
| 11
| [[Kandariya Mahadeva]]
| Shiva
| Largest
|-
| 12
| [[Vamana Temple, Khajuraho India|Vamana]]
| [[Vamana]]
| Eastern Group
|-
| 13
| [[Rishabha (Jain tirthankar)|Adinath]]
| Jina
| Jain compound
|-
| 14
| [[Javari Temple, Khajuraho India|Javari]]
| Vishnu
| Eastern group
|-
| 15
| Chaturbhuja
| Vishnu
| Southern
|-
| 16
| [[Duladeo Temple|Duladeo]]
| Shiva
| South end
|-
|-
| 17
| Ghantai
| Jina
| Only some columns remaining
|}

The [[Beejamandal]] temple is still under excavation. It has been identified with the Vaidyanath temple mentioned in the [[Grahpati Kokalla inscription]].

== Statues and carvings ==
The Khajuraho temples contain sexual or [[erotic art]] outside the temple or near the deities. Some of the temples that have two layers of walls have small erotic carvings on the outside of the inner wall. It has been suggested that these suggest [[Tantric sexuality|tantric sexual]] practices. Some 10% of the carvings contain sexual themes and those reportedly do not depict deities but rather sexual activities between people. The rest depict the everyday life. For example, those depictions show women putting on makeup, musicians, potters, farmers, and other folk. The mundane scenes are all at some distance from the temple deities. A common misconception is that, since the old structures with carvings in Khajuraho are temples, the carvings depict sex between deities.<ref>[http://www.liveindia.com/khajuraho/8a.html "Khajuraho", liveindia.com]</ref>

Another perspective of these carvings is presented by [[James McConnachie]]. In his history of the ''Kamasutra'',([http://planetreports.blogspot.in/2013/07/kamasutra-book-pdf.html KamaSutra Ebook Download]) McConnachie describes the zesty 10% of the Khajuraho sculptures as "the apogee of erotic art":
<blockquote>"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."</blockquote>

<gallery widths = "160px" heights = "150px" >
Image:Kandariya mahadeva temple.jpg| Kandariya Mahadeva temple
Image:Khajuraho 043A.jpg | Chaturbuj Temple
Image:Lakshman Temple 3.jpg | Lakshman temple
Image:Lakshman Temple 4.jpg | Lakshman temple
Image:Lakshman Temple 5.jpg | Lakshman temple
Image:Lakshman Temple 6.jpg | Lakshman temple
Image:Lakshman Temple 8.jpg | Lakshman temple
Image:Lakshman Temple 9.jpg | Lakshman temple
Image:20120303 erotic zoophilia Lakshmana Temple Khajuraho India (panoramic version).jpg|Erotic scene with a horse - Lakshman temple
Image:Khajurahosculpture.jpg|A [[temple]] [[relief]] at [[Khajuraho]] in [[Tourism in Madhya Pradesh|Madhya Pradesh]], [[India]] features a couple in a sexual embrace with a man and a woman masturbating to either side.
Image:Khajuraho outside wall.jpg | Outside wall of one of the temples
</gallery>

While the sexual nature of these carvings have caused the site to be referred to as the ''Kamasutra'' temple, they do not illustrate the meticulously described positions. Neither do they express the philosophy of Vatsyayana's famous sutra. As "a strange union of Tantrism and fertility motifs, with a heavy dose of magic" they belief a document which focuses on pleasure rather than procreation. That is, fertility is moot.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}

The strategically placed sculptures are "symbolical-magical diagrams, or ''yantras''" designed to appease malevolent spirits. This ''alamkara'' (ornamentation) expresses sophisticated artistic transcendence over the natural; sexual images imply a virile, thus powerful, ruler.<ref>{{cite book | author=McConnachie, James | title=The Book of Love, the Story of the Kamasutra | publisher=Metropolitan Press | year=2005 | pages=46–47}}</ref>

Between 950 and 1150, the Chandela monarchs built these temples when the [[Tantra|Tantric]] tradition may have been accepted. In the days before the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] conquests, when boys lived in [[Hermitage_(religious_retreat)|hermitages]], following ''[[brahmacharya]]'' until they became men, they could learn about the world and prepare themselves to become householders through examining these sculptures and the worldly desires they depicted.<ref>[http://www.mptourism.com/web/explore/destinations/khajurao.aspx Khajuraho]</ref>

While recording the television show ''[[Lost Worlds (TV series)|Lost Worlds]]'' (History Channel) at Khajuraho, Alex Evans, a contemporary stonemason and sculptor gave his expert opinion and forensically examined the tool marks and construction techniques involved in creating the stunning stonework at the sites. He also recreated a stone sculpture under 4 feet that took about 60 days to carve in an attempt to develop a rough idea how much work must have been involved.<ref>"Lost Worlds of the Kama Sutra," History Channel</ref> Roger Hopkins and Mark Lehner also conducted experiments to quarry limestone which took 12 quarrymen 22 days to quarry about 400 tons of stone.<ref>Lehner, Mark, ''The Complete Pyramids'', London: Thames and Hudson (1997) p. 202-225 ISBN 0-500-05084-8.</ref> These temples would have required hundreds of highly trained sculptors.

== Tourism and cultural events ==
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2012}}
The Khajuraho temple complex offers a professional light and sound show every evening. The first show is in [[English language]] and the second one in [[Hindi]]. The show is about an hour long and covers the history, philosophy and the art of sculpting of these temples. It is held in the open lawns in the temple complex.

The [[Khajuraho Dance Festival]], held every year in the first week of February (1st to 7th), is an opportunity for visitors to experience various classical Indian dances set against the backdrop of the Chitragupta or Vishwanath Temples.

The M P Tourism Development has set up kiosks at the [[Khajuraho railway station]] (which is 9 km away from the city), with helpful tourist officers to guide the travelers.
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 historical data related to the temples.

== See also ==
* [[Bambar Baini]] the famous temple located on a hill in [[Laundi]].
* [[Kandariya Mahadeva]]
* [[Hemvati]]
* [[Beejamandal]]
* [[Jain temples of Khajuraho]]
* [[List of megalithic sites]]
* [[Bandhavgarh National Park]]
* [[tribes india khajuraho]]the famous tribal government shop.
* [[Badami Chalukya architecture]], [[Western Chalukya architecture]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*L. A. Narain, ''Khajuraho: Temples of Ecstasy''. New Delhi: Lustre Press (1986)
* Phani Kant Mishra, ''Khajuraho: With Latest Discoveries,'' Sundeep Prakashan (2001) ISBN 81-7574-101-5
* Devangana Desai, ''The Religious Imagery of Khajuraho'', Franco-Indian Research P. Ltd. (1996) ISBN 81-900184-1-8
* Devangana Desai, ''Khajuraho'', Oxford University Press Paperback (Sixth impression 2005) ISBN 978-0-19-565643-5

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Khajuraho group of monuments}}
{{Wikivoyage-inline|Khajuraho}}
* [http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/mp/71049.htm Chalukya temple at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh][http://www.kamat.com/search/?search=Khajuraho&B1=Search]
* [http://www.trodly.com/destination/1929/khajuraho Khajuraho Travel Info & other attractions]
* [http://indiaouting.com/madhya-pradesh/khajuraho/ Images of Khajuraho Sculptures]
* [http://asibhopal.nic.in/monument/chhatarpur.html Archeological Survey of India, Bhopal Division]

{{World Heritage Sites in India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Khajuraho Group Of Monuments}}
[[Category:Hindu World Heritage Sites]]
[[Category:Hindu holy cities]]
[[Category:Bundelkhand]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Chhatarpur district]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in India]]
[[Category:Khajuraho]]

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Khajuraho Group of Monuments