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| Your Date With Khajuraho | |||
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 hajuraho, the ancient garden of dates, is a unique village in the Central Indian State of Madhya Pradesh. Famed for its erotic temple architecture, rich in sculpture and magnificent in form, it depicts the ultimate fusion of man with his creator.
The Khajuraho complex is a stupendous marvel-it was commissioned under the generous and artistic patronage of the Chandela Rajput kings of Central India, a thousand years ago. Within 100 years, from 950 AD - 1050 AD, 85 temples were constructed. Only 22 survived the ravages of time; these remain a collective paean to life, to joy and to creativity.  Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to Khajuraho each year to see the exquisite adults-only carvings adorning the temples. Stone figures of apsaras (celestial maidens) appear on each of the 22 temples, interspersed with mithunas or erotic figures. Many of these display great sensuality and warmth. It is quite reliably learnt that they have their source in the Kama Sutra, the ancient Indian manual of lovemaking.
No one knows why the Chandela kings chose Khajuraho or Khajirvahila - garden of dates, in a small village, for their temple, dedicated to the earthly passions. It is certain however, that the temples represent the expression of a highly matured civilization. It is known that the Chandela Rajas were great eclectic patrons and had faith in a wide variety of beliefs as represented in the temples. Were the temples at Khajuraho conceived as a seat of religion and learning? But the Chandelas were also believers in the powers of Tantrism; the cult which advocates the gratification of earthly desires as a step closer to the attainment of the infinite. Could it have been a purposeful venture - to prepare the celibate young 'Brahmachari' boys, living in hermitages, for the worldly role of 'householder', once they attained manhood? As the sun sets, at dusk the temples light up in a soft, dream-like ethereal stage and now you can keep your date with Khajuraho - a cultural rendezvous of all dance forms. The temples form an exquisite backdrop for the performance - the past and the present silhouetted against the glow of a setting sun. The Western Group of temples, comprises the Chitragupta Temple dedicated to Surya , the Sun God and the Vishwanatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. They are the mesmerizing venue for the mirthful Divine Dances of India: Kathak, Bharat Natyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Kathakali and the Modern Indian dance. The 7-day spectacular Khajuraho Dance Festival is held every year, in the months of February/March. The dance performances are electrifying and spellbinding, creating the perfect harmony between the earthly and the heavenly arts. The dance festival is actually a treat for the connoisseurs of Indian classical dance all over the world as it provides them a chance to witness heavenly dance concerts against an equally mystifying backdrop of the Khajuraho temples. Once in Khajuraho, you can visit the Raneh Falls, 9 Kms from Khajuraho, on the Ken River. It is famous for its rock formations, especially the 5-km-long, 100-foot-deep canyon made of pure crystalline granite. The picturesque Pandav waterfall is located in a bowl-shaped valley on the same river, 34 Kms from Khajuraho. Benisagar Lake and Ranguan Lake are both ideal picnic spots suitable for boating and angling. One can also visit the Dhubela museum : 65 Kms away, on the Jhansi-Khajuraho road. It is actually an old fort which treasures rare collections of artifacts depicting the heritage of Bundelkhand. 100 kms from the temples, on the Vindhya range is the Kalinjar fort, built during the Gupta period which was captured by the Chandela ruler Shri Yasovarman in the mid-10th century. Worldroom: Bhopal City Guide Bhopal Weather: | |||
