Khajuraho Group of Monuments

2007-03-06T17:29:27Z

59.180.95.1: /* External links */

{{Infobox Indian urban area |
native_name = Khajuraho |
type = city |
latd = 24.85 | longd = 79.93|
locator_position = right |
state_name = Madhya Pradesh |
district = [[Chhatarpur district|Chhatarpur]] |
leader_title = |
leader_name = |
altitude = 283|
population_as_of = 2001 |
population_total = 19,282|
population_density = |
area_magnitude= sq. km |
area_total = |
area_telephone = |
postal_code = |
vehicle_code_range = |
sex_ratio = |
unlocode = |
website = |
footnotes = |
}}
{{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 = {{IND}}
| Type = Cultural
| Criteria = i, iii
| ID = 240
| Region = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Asia and Australasia|Asia-Pacific]]
| Year = 1986
| Session = 10th
| Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/240
}}

'''Khajuraho''' (Hindi खजुराहो) is a village in the [[States and territories of India|Indian state]] of [[Madhya Pradesh]], located in [[Chhatarpur District]], about 385 miles (620 kilometres) southeast of [[Delhi]], the capital city of [[India]].

One of the most popular [[tourist destinations in India]], Khajuraho has the largest group of [[medieval]] [[Hindu]] [[temple]]s, famous for their [[erotic sculpture]]. The name Khajuraho is derived from the [[Hindi]] word ''khajur'' meaning ''[[date palm]]''.

The city was once the original capital of the [[Chandela]] [[Rajput]]s, a Hindu dynasty that ruled this part of India from the 10th to the 12th centuries. The Khajuraho temples were built over a span of a hundred years, from [[950]] to [[1050]]. The Chandela capital was moved to [[Mahoba]] after this time, but Khajuraho coninued to flourish for some time.

The whole area was enclosed by a wall with eight gates, each flanked by two golden palm trees. There were originally over 80 [[Hindu]] temples, of which only 22 now stand in a reasonable state of preservation, scattered over an area of about 8 square miles (21 km²).

Unlike other cultural centers of North India, the temples of Khajuraho never underwent massive destruction and a number of them have survived. They are fine examples of Indian architectural styles that have gained popularity due to their salacious depiction of the traditional way of life during medieval times. They were rediscovered during the late 19th century and the jungles had taken a toll on some of the monuments.

The Khajuraho group of monuments has been listed as a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].

== Architecture ==
Khajuraho temples, constructed with spiral superstructures, adhere to northern Indian [[shikhara]] temple style and often to a [[Panchayatana]] plan or layout. A few of the temples are dedicated to the [[Jain]] pantheon and the rest to [[Hindu]] deities - to God's Trio, [[Brahma]], [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]], and various [[Devi]] forms, such as the [[Devi Jagadambi temple]]. A [[Panchayatana]] temple had four subordinate shrines on four corners and the main shrine in the center of the podium, which comprises their base. The temples are grouped into three geographical divisions : western, eastern and southern
With a graded rise secondary shikharas (spires) cluster to create appropriate base for the main shikhara over the sanctum. [[Kandariya Mahadeva]], one of the most accomplished temples of the Western group, comprises eighty-four shikharas, the main being 116 feet from the ground level. [[Image:Khajuraho-Lakshmana temple.JPG|left|thumb||275px|Lakshmana temple at Khajuraho. This is a [[panchayatana]] temple, two of the 4 secondary shrines can be seen. [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Khajuraho_tempel_india.jpg another view] ]]
These shikharas - subordinate and main, attribute to the Khajuraho temples their unique splendor and special character. With a graded rise of these [[shikhara]]s from over the [[ardhamandapa]], porch, to [[mandapa]], assembly hall, [[mahamandapa]], principal assembly hall, [[antarala]], vestibule, and [[garbhagraha]], [[sanctum sanctorum]], Khajuraho temples attain the form and glory of gradually rising [[Himalaya]]n peaks.These temples of khajuraho have sculptures that look very realistic and are studied even today.

==Landscape==
The Khajuraho temples are now set in a parkland landscape. When India gained independence from Britain in 1947 the landscape setting was semi-desert and scrub. The archaeological park now has something of the character of an English public park, with mown grass, rose beds and ornamental trees. This may be popular with visitors but has no relationship with the historic landscape at the time the temples were built. The development of [[landscape archaeology]] as an academic discipline raises questions concerning the [[landscape of archaeology]] of Khajuraho and the original relationship between the temple complex and the surrounding area. There are no records of what the original landscape might have been but it is known that a large community of priests used the temple complex and that Indian gardens in the tenth century were predominantly tree gardens. They did not have lawns or herbaceous flowering plants.

[[Image:Khajurahosculpture.jpg|thumb|Sculpture from a temple at Khajuraho]]

== See also ==
*[[Kandariya Mahadeva]]
* [[Hemvati]]
* [[Kalinjar]]
* [[Beejamandal]]
* [[Jain temples of Khajuraho]]

==External links==
{{commonscat|Khajuraho}}
*[http://www.canvasguru.com/khajuraho/ Detail Information on Khajuraho]
* [http://www.liveindia.com/khajuraho/index.html Temples of Love Khajuraho with Gallery]
* [http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/23e1c/10b5e3/ Photos of Khajuraho temples]
* [http://www.shunya.net/Pictures/NorthIndia/Khajuraho/Khajuraho.htm Photos of Khajuraho]
* [http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/khajuraho/ Love, The Living Spirit of Khajuraho] by Prof. P. C. Jain and Dr. Daljeet.
* [http://www.dharssi.org.uk/travel/india/khajuraho.html Photos and travel tips for Khajuraho temples including maps showing how to get there]
*[http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mag/2002/05/05/stories/2002050500420200.htm/ Lessons from Khajuraho]
*{{wikitravel}}

{{World Heritage Sites in India}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Hindu holy cities]]
[[Category:Tourism in Madhya Pradesh]]
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Khajuraho Group of Monuments