"The Famed "Erotic" Temples of Khajuraho" Khajuraho by Paul2001

Khajuraho Travel Guide: 262 reviews and 801 photos

The temple complexes of Khajuraho in Madya Pradesh, is one of the most noteworthy of all India's great Hindu monuments. The temples are particularly famous for the erotic sculpture that adorn the perimeters walls of the temples themselves. Many of the figures represented here are engaged in the about the most wild sexual positions and acts that you can think of. This is particularly the case with the famed Lakshmana Temple which is the first temple that you approach when you enter the complex.
Overall the temple complexes of Khajuraho are spread out in three seperate compounds in proximity to villiage itself. They are the Western Group, where the most famous temples are located, the Eastern Group and the Southern Group. These latter two groups are smaller and less distinguished but are worth visiting just the same.
The temples where the work of the Chandelas Rajputs who constructed the temples in the 10th and 11th centuries. There were at one time 85 temples scattered throughout the area. The reason that they chose Khajuraho for these elaborate temples in this otherwise out of the way setting is something of a mystery. For what the reason it is fortunate that they decided upon such a remote location in India or they quite probably would have been sacked by the Mughals who found such temples to be offensive.
Today Khajuraho is India's second most touristed destination. This is inspite of the fact that other than by plane, it is hard to reach. I arrived in Khajuraho from Orchha by minivan that I rented but flew out on one of the daily flights to Agra and Delhi.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Amazing temples. Good tourist structure
Cons:Can be crowded. Hard to get to.
In a nutshell:One of India's Most Glorious Attractions

Last visit to Khajuraho: Dec 1998
Intro Updated Mar 11, 2006
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Reviews (5)

Jagadambi Temple Things to Do (3)

Jagadambi Temple is located just north of Kandariya Mahadeva and stands on the same platform. It is not as large as... more travel advice

The Varaha Temple Off The Beaten Path (1)

If you tour the Western Group of Temples clockwise like me, then the first "temple" that you will come across will be... more travel advice

The pool in the Holiday Inn, Khajuraho - Khajuraho

Expensive Hotel in Khajuraho Hotels (1)

I do not usually intend upon staying in luxury chain class hotels while I am traveling but I was doing such a good job... more travel advice

Kandariya Mahadev Temple in Khajuraho Things to Do (3)

Kandariya Mahadev Temple is the tallest of the temples of Khajuraho. It stands a soaring 30m high. Like all the other... more travel advice

Comments (7)

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albaaust Nov 15, 2009 at 1:05 AM

Great photos Paul...travelling in your footsteps again...:)
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Prinsalsita Mar 18, 2007 at 10:01 PM

great pics Paul! did you drive the minivan or hired a driver? more or less how expensive was the rental?
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Jim_Eliason Feb 25, 2007 at 12:22 PM

another nice page!
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traveldave Jun 20, 2006 at 7:54 AM

Looks like a fascinating place. Hard to imagine the work that went into sculpting all those figures.
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globetrott May 26, 2006 at 2:45 PM

these sculptures are really amazing !
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Bwana_Brown Mar 25, 2006 at 12:22 AM

Quite an amazing spot Paul ! The work that went into amazing old temples like these is really astonishing. Great photos!
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deecat Mar 15, 2006 at 5:12 PM

What an astounding place...such beauty. Your tips are always a pleasure to read.