BLOG 4: Khajuraho - City of the "Erotic Temples"

Khajuraho is one of the most visited tourist places in the state of Madhya Pradesh and is known for its temples built by the rulers of the Chandela dynasty in 885 and 1030. Only 25 of the original 80 Hindu temples remain today. The structures are arranged over an area of around 20 square kilometers and are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike other Hindu temples in India where religion is the focus, the Western group's Khajuraho temples are known for their erotic art in the form of reliefs on the temple surfaces. The group of monuments is representative of Indian architectural styles that gained popularity in the Middle Ages due to their explicit depiction of sexual life.

There are two groups of the main remaining temples:

The main temples of the western group:

• Lakshmana Temple

• Kandariya Mahadeva Temple

• Chitragupta Temple

• Vishvanatha Temple

Eastern group of temples – mainly dedicated to Jain teachers (Tirthankaras):

• Parsvanatha Temple

• Adinatha Temple

The outside of these temples is decorated with beautiful relief figures of Hindu gods and goddesses.

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One of the most frequented tourist spots in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India, Khajuraho is popular for its temples that were built by the Chandela dynasty rulers 885 and 1030. Built over a span of 200 years, only 25 of the original 80 Hindu temples remain today. The structures are scattered over an area of about 20 square kilometers and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike other Hindu temples in India that center on religion, Khajuraho temples of the western group are well known for their erotic art in the form of carvings on the temples' surfaces. The group of monuments is representative of Indian architectural styles that have gained popularity due to their explicit depiction of sexual life during medieval times.

There are two groups of the most important remaining temples:

The Western Group's main temples:

• Lakshmana Temple
• Kandariya Mahadeva Temple
• Chitragupta Temple
• Vishvanatha temple

Eastern Group of Temples – dedicated mainly to Jain teachers (Tirthankaras):

• Parsvanatha Temple
• Adinatha Temple

These temples are ornately carved on the outside, with beautiful figures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.