Khajuraho Group of monuments, Khajuraho Travel Guide, Khajuraho Tour

Khajuraho, a small town, famous for the group of Hindu and Jain temple is located in the Bundelkhand region of the Indian state, Madhya Pradesh. This temple is the part of UNESCO World Heritage Site, these temples are famous for their beautiful and remarkable rock carvings. The Vindya range of mountains are perfect backdrop of Khajuraho, which makes the place more fascinating destination for the tourists.
 

Khajuraho Caves

The art or the architecture of the Khajuraho's temple is an indication of an essence of the philosophy of Indian artistic style. The amorous sculptures of Khajuraho depict Kama Sutra are unique in the world. These sculptures which represents the Indo-Aryan architecture, a lyrical hymn of love and passion is coagulate in stone, shows the Chandela dynasty's immense love and respect for the forbidden art.These temples are not only famous for its erotic sculptures, but these temples too have some revered Gods of Hinduism.

During the rule of  Chandela dynasty, these temples were built between 950 A.D to 1050 A.D. During the 13th century, when there was a decline of Chandela dynasty, then for years these temples were left covered under the dense date palm trees. The city has got its name from it, date palm in Hindi means Khajur. During the ancient times, the city was called Vatsa. 

In the year 1838, a British army engineer Captain T.S. Burt, have rediscovered them, but by that time 22 out of original 85 temples have only survived.

Climate

Khajuraho has got an extreme variation in the day and night, with minimal rainfall. The summers are usually too hot with, 45 degree Celsius, the winters are pleasant with 27 degree Celsius. Since summer months are too hot, winter is the perfect time to visit. Another good time to visit Khajuraho is March, during that time Khajuraho dance festival takes place. So its better to visit Khajuraho from September to March.

Tourism

In every temple one will have a chance to see the depiction of kinship, royalty, armies, wrestling, marriage, courtship, lovemaking, dance, music, spiritual teaching, meditation, plants, animals, and abundance of all human forms.

Audio guides

The Archeological Survey of India have introduced official self guided, audio tour facilities for international standards for visitors. This device allows the visitors to see the Khajuraho Group of Monuments at their own pace. Guides may avail this service from the official audio guide booth, near monument ticket counter. Prices for audio service guides are Rs.100 for English and other foreign languages and Rs.60 for Hindi and other Indian languages.

Western Group of Temples

The entry fee of Rs.10 is for the Indians and USD $5 for the foreigners to enter the western group of temples, if anyone has got the ticket of Taj Mahal, can use it here.The temples are open from sunrise to sunset. These group of temples are richest and largest of all the temple group.

Lakhmana Temple: This Vaishnavite temple is one of the oldest and finest temple among the western group of temples,is named after the ruler, who built this temple. There is an A horizontal beam over the entrance of this temple, which shows the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu with her consort and Shiva with Lakshmi.

Lakhmana Temple

Kandariya Mahadeo Temple: This temple is beautifully decorated with the many sculptures which are considered to be among the greatest masterpiece of Indian art.

Kandariya Mahadeo Temple

Devi Jagdamba Temple: This temple is dedicated to the Goddess, is smaller in size and well proportioned temple, and is considered to be the home of the some of the finest sculptors of Khajuraho. The garbha griha has got the huge image of Goddess of Universe (Devi Jagdhambi), this temple was actually started as Vishnu temple. This temple has three band of sculptures, the third is in the uppermost house, has got some of the erotic sculptures.

Chaunsat Yogini: This temple is the only granite temple among the Khajuraho temple group.

Chitragupta Temple: This temple is dedicated to Sun God Surya, this temple is faced eastwards towards the rising sun.

Chitragupta Temple

Matangeswara Temple: This temple is actually dedicated to lord Shiva, a 8 ft huge Shiva lingam adorns the temple.

Varaha Temple:This temple is dedicated to the Varaha avatar of Lord Vishnu, where he holds the statue of Vraha means boar in the center stage and the Seshnag lying beneath. Tthe idol is carving of  Devi Saraswati, on the snout of Varaha, reflects that every word seeks blessings from Devi Saraswati.

Part of Varaha Temple

Vishwanath Temple: This temple is totally dedicated to Lord Shiva, also known as Vishwanath means master of the Universe, in that same premises also has a temple dedicated to Nandi, the companion, the attendent and the closest aide of Lord Shiva.

Light and sound show at Western group of temples is held at every evening, narrated by the Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachhan. For Indians, the entry fee is Rs.120, and for the foreigners

Eastern Group of Temples

Parshvanath Temple: This temple is largest among eastern group of temples, has got exquisite carvings in details. The sculptures which are on the northern outer wall of the temple, highlights the temple. These images were installed in 1860. The three roofs in the temple depicts mixture of Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim influence.

Parshvanath Temple

Ghantai Temple: This Jain temple has an embellishment, which depicts the 16 dreams of Mahavira's mother and a Jain Goddess on a Garuda.
Adinath Temple: This temple is dedicated to Jain God (Tirthankar) Adinath, this temple is beautifully decorated with artistic sculptures including yakshis.

Flying Celestial of Adinath Temple

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Brahma Temple: This Vishnu temple is made entirely of granite and sandstone,is considered one of oldest temple of Khajuraho.
Vamana Temple:This temple is located in secluded place, is known for its simple  architecture,this temple is dedicated to dwarf form of Lord Vishnu.

Vamana Temple

Southern Group of Temples

Dulhadev Temple: This temple is the last temple of Khajuraho, it lies south of the Ghantai Temple. A Shivalingam is enshrined on that temple. The striking feature of that temple is the ornamental figures and the sculptors of Apsara.

Sculpture of Dulhadev Temple

Beejamandal Temple: This temple is near Chatturbhuj Temple,is ruined now.
Chatturbhuj Temple or The Jatkari Temple: This temple is built in1100 A.D. this temple is devoid of erotic sculpturs. There is 9ft intricatly carved Vishnu idol on Chatturbhuja.

Chatturbhuj Temple

Khajuraho Dance Festival

Khajuraho dance festival is a weak long festivals of classical dances held every year against the backdrop of magnificently lit Khajuraho temples, is organized by the Madhya Pradesh Kala Parishad.
This festival highlights the richness of the various styleof Indian Classical dances like, Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Kathakali. Recently modern dances are also added. This dance programmes are held in the open air auditorium in front of Chitragupta Temple and Vishwanath Temple belonging to the western group.

Khajuraho Dance Festival

Transport

Air

Kajuraho Airport is the nearest airport, which is 5 km away from the main city.

Rail

Khajuraho station was opened in the year 200,linking to Jhansi. There are trains from Agra, Varanasi, New Delhi.
Satna is the alternative station  for Khajuraho.

Road

Khajuraho is well connected by Satna and Jhansi withregular bus services.

Kanha National Park

Kanha National Park is not only a national park but also a Tiger Reserve which falls under the district of  Mandla and Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh. Kanha was then divide into two sanctuaries during 1930s, into Banjar and Hallon, approximately covering the area of 250 and 300 Km². Kanha National Park was introduced to the world on 1 June 1955. Now almost covering the area of 940 Km² which includes two districts Mandla and Balaghat. "Kanha Tiger Reserve" has form by almost covering the buffer zone of 1, 067 Km² and the very neighboring Phen Sanctuary  which covers 110 Km². On !4 April  Kanha National Park came under Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. Thus Kanha National Park is considered as the largest national park in Central India.

Kanha National Park

Kanha has been home to varied species of animals like Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian wild dog, Barasingha, bear, leopards and sloth. Even one will get to see varied species of trees and plants like Bamboo forests, lush sal, ravines, grassy meadows. It is considered that Rudyard Kipling has got inspiration from Kanha for his  famous 'Jungle Book'.

Flora

It is said that almost over 1000 species of flowering plants are there in Kanha National Park. One will get to see two types of forest in Kanha National Park, they are: the lowland forest and the highland forest. One will get to see the mixture of other mixed forest trees and Sal, and it is interspersed with meadows. The highland forest of Kanha is of tropical type dry deciduous type with lots of different kinds of bamboo on the slope. Another interesting fact is a very good looking Indian ghost tree known as Kullu is also found in the dense forest.

Sal Tree

Kanha Tiger Reserve is bounded in meadows which is actually a grassland is in the fields and some of the abounded villages, they have away out for animals too. Kanha meadow is one such good example. Different species of  grass which are found in Kanha, they are very important for the survival of Barasingha. In the dense forest zones of Kanha, one will get to see the abundant species of climbers, shrubs and herbs. Tal an aquatic plant are found in numbers which are known as the lifeline of migratory and wetland species birds.

Fauna

One of the apex predator in Kanha is the Tiger. Apart from Tiger other flesh eating population of Kanha includes are jackal, leopards, wild dogs, wild cats and many other

One of the only species of  swamp deer is Barasingha which is known as the pride of the place is found only in Kanha, it is said that it is only a sub species of  swamp deer found in India. These deers can live in had ground, not like the swamp deer from north, which are only adapted to marshy swamps. This national park has been very active for rescuing of the Brasingha from the extinction. One will get to see Gaur, it belongs to ox genus, mostly during winter ends, it is found only in Kanha. During the summer months Gaurs are found in meadows and water holes in the park.

Barasingha

Apart from these animals, other commonly seen animals are barking deer, spotted dear, sambar and the four horned deer. Recently in the Tiger Reserve, the mouse deer has also been found.

Black buck has been re-introduced in the fence area of the park, as previously it could not survive here, as the habitat was not suitable for it. At Sarahi Gate, Nilgai can still be seen and the Indian wolf which was seen at Mocha are rarely seen now. Occasionally sloth bear and Hyna are seen. Wild boar and langur are commonly seen.

Tiger at Kanha

Outside the park, nocturnal animals like hare, ratel, porcupine, hyna, honey badgr, jungle cats are seen.

Near the water bodies, many species of turtles can be seen, amphibians like cobras, pyhons, rat snakes, vipers, grass snakes.

Transport and other facilities 

To reach the park, Jabalpur is the nearest place and the nearest airport( 175km), well with very limited flight connectivity.  Even  Nagpur and Raipur, too have airports, which have good connectivity with the county. Mandla has good road connection with Kanha as you will get good taxi connection from Jabalpur, which will go via Mandla and Nainpur.

In Kanha National Park, there are three gates for the entrance, the Khisli gate is easily accessed from Jabalpur and it stops in he village called Khatia in the buffer zone. The other two gates are Mukki and recently opened Serai.

General information about the park:

Area covering the park is 940 kilometer square.

Best season to visit this park is from February to June. 

Visiting hours: morning visiting hours: 6 am -12 noon

                      evening visiting hours: 3 pm- 9pm

Closing : 1 July to 15 October.