KHAJURAHO

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Khajuraho, a town in the Indian state ofMadhya Pradesh, located in Chhatarpur District, about 620 kilometres (385 mi) southeast of New Delhi, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for their erotic sculptures. The name Khajuraho, ancient "Kharjuravhaka", is derived from the Sanskrit wordskharjura = date palm and vhaka = "one who carries". Locals living in th e Khajuraho village always knew about and kept up the temples as best as they could. They were pointed out to the English in the late 19th century when the jungles had taken a toll on the monuments. In the 19th century, British engineer T.S. Burt arrived in the area, followed by General Alexander Cunningham. Cunningham put Khajuraho on the world map when he explored the site on behalf of the Archaeological Survey of India and described what he found in glowing terms. The Khajuraho Group of Monuments has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is considered to be one of the "seven wonders" of India. Khajuraho is a town in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, located in Chhatarpur District, about 620 kilometres (385 mi) southeast of New Delhi, the capital city ofIndia. According to the 2001 India census,[1] Khajuraho has a
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population of 19,282. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. The town has an average literacy rate of 53%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 62%, and female literacy is 43%. In Khajuraho, 19% of the population is under 6 years of age. Khajuraho is located at 24.85N 79.93E[2] and has an average elevation of 283 metres (928 feet). Khajuraho is served by Khajuraho Airport and there is a railway station in the centre of the town.

HISTORY
Some Bargujar Rajputs moved eastward to central India; they ruled over the Northeastern region of Rajasthan, called Dhundhar, and were referred to as Dhundhel orDhundhela in ancient times, for the region they governed. Later on they called themselves Chandelas; those who were in the ruling class having gotra Kashyap were definitely all Bargujars; they were vassals of Gurjara Pratihara empire of North India, which lasted from 500 CE to 1300 CE and at its peak the major monuments were built. The Bargujars also built the Kalinjar fort and Neelkanth Mahadev temple, similar to one at Sariska National Park, and Baroli, being Shiva The city was the cultural capital of Chandel Rajputs, a Hindu dynasty that ruled this part of India from the 10 to 12th centuries. The political capital of the

Chandelas wasKalinjar. The Khajuraho temples were built over a span of 200 years, from 950 to 1150. The Chandela capital was moved to Mahoba after this time, but Khajuraho continued to flourish for some time. Khajuraho has no forts because the Chandel Kings never lived in their cultural capital. The whole area was enclosed by a wall with eight originates, each flanked by two golden palm trees. There were originally over 80 Hindu temples, of which only 25 now stand in a reasonable state of preservation, scattered over an area of about 20 square kilometres (8 sq mi). The erotic sculptures were crafted by Chandella artisans. The temples, maintained by the locals, were pointed out to the English in the late 19th century when the jungles had taken a toll on the monuments. Today, the temples serve as fine examples of Indian architectural styles that have gained popularity due to their explicit depiction of sexual life during medieval times.

STATUES AND CARVINGS

The Khajuraho temples contain some sexual or erotic art outside the temple or near the deities. Also, some of the temples that have two layers of walls have small erotic carvings on the outside of the inner wall. There are many interpretations of the erotic carvings. It has been suggested that these suggest tantric sexual practices. Meanwhile, the external curvature and carvings of the temples depict humans, human bodies, and the changes that occur in bodies, as
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well as facts of life. Some 10% of the carvings contain sexual themes; those reportedly do not show deities but rather sexual activities between people. The rest depict the everyday life of the common Indian when the carvings were made and activities of other beings. For example, those depictions show women putting on makeup, musicians, potters, farmers, and other folk. The mundane scenes are all at some distance from the temple deities. A common misconception is that, since the old structures with carvings in Khajuraho are temples, the carvings depict sex between deities.[5] Another perspective of these carvings is presented by James McConnachie. In his history of the Kamasutra, McConnachie describes the zesty 10% of the Khajuraho sculptures as "the apogee of erotic art": "Twisting, broad-hipped and high breasted nymphs display their generously contoured and bejewelled bodies on exquisitely worked exterior wall panels. These fleshy apsaras run riot across the surface of the stone, putting on makeup, washing their hair, playing games, dancing, and endlessly knotting and unknotting their girdles....Beside the heavenly nymphs are serried ranks of griffins, guardian deities and, most notoriously, extravagantly interlocked maithunas, or lovemaking couples." While the sexual nature of these carvings have caused the site to be referred to as the Kamasutra temple, they do not illustrate the meticulously described positions. Neither do they express the philosophy of Vatsyayana's famous sutra.
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As "a strange union of Tantrism and fertility motifs, with a heavy dose of magic" they belief a document which focuses on pleasure rather than procreation. That is, fertility is moot.[citation needed] The strategically placed sculptures are "symbolical-magical diagrams, or yantras" designed to appease malevolent spirits. Thisalamkara (ornamentation) expresses sophisticated artistic transcendence over the natural; sexual images imply a virile, thus powerful, ruler.[6] Between 950 and 1150, the Chandela monarchs built these temples when the Tantric tradition may have been accepted. In the days before the Mughal conquests, when boys lived in hermitages, following brahmacharya until they became men, they could learn about the world and prepare themselves to become householders through examining these sculptures and the worldly desires they depicted.[citation needed] While recording the television show Lost Worlds (History Channel) at Khajuraho, Alex Evans, a contemporary stonemason and sculptor gave his expert opinion and forensically examined the tool marks and construction techniques involved in creating the stunning stonework at the sites. He also recreated a stone sculpture under 4 feet that took about 60 days to carve in an attempt to develop a rough idea how much work must have been involved.[7] Roger Hopkins and Mark Lehner also conducted experiments to quarry limestone which took 12 quarrymen 22 days to quarry about 400 tons of
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stone.[8] These temples would have required hundreds of highly trained sculptors.

LANDSCAPE
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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 a public park, with mowed grass, rose beds and ornamental trees. This design is aimed for tourists comfort 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 earlier landscape 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 10th century predominantly had fragrant trees, shady gardens, pools, climbing vines, birds and animals and nikunj houses. They did not have lawns. Tourism and cultural events The Khajuraho temple complex offers a professional light and sound show every evening. The first show is in English language and the second one in Hindi. The show is about an hour long and covers the history, philosophy and the art of sculpting of these temples. It is held in the open lawns in the temple complex. The Khajuraho Dance Festival, held every year in the first week of February (1st to 7th), is an opportunity for visitors to experience various classical Indian dances set against the backdrop of the Chitragupta or Vishwanath Temples.

RECENT DISCOVERY
The Archaeological Survey of India has recently[when?] started digging on a mound where perhaps the largest underground temple in Khajuraho has been unearthed. The dig will take at least a couple of years to conclude.[9] The M P Tourism Development has set up kiosks at the Railway Station (which is 9 km away from the city), with helpful tourist officers to guide the travelers. The temples in Khajuraho are broadly divided into three parts : the Eastern group,
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the Southern Group and the Western group of temples of which the Western group alone has the facility of an Audio guided tour wherein the tourists are guided through the seven eight temples. There is also an audio guided tour developed by the Archaeological Survey of India which includes a narration of the historical data related to the temples.

KALINJAR FORT
Type Fort, Caves & Temples Coordinates Built Construction materials Current condition Open to the public Controlled by Garrison Commanders Rewa 24.9997N 80.4852E 10th century Granite Stones Ruined Citadel Yes Government of Uttar Pradesh British garrison 1947 Chandel dynasty of Rajputs & Solankisof

Battles/wars Mahmud of Ghazni 1023, Sher Shah Suri 1545, British 1812 & Revolt of 1857 Kalinjar is a fortress-city in the Bundelkhand region of centralIndia. Kalinjar is located in Banda District of Uttar Pradesh state, near the temple-city and World Heritage Site of Khajuraho. The fortress is strategically located on an isolated rocky hill at the end the Vindhya Range, at an elevation of 1203 feet overlooking the plains of Bundelkhand. It served several of Bundelkhand's ruling dynasties, including the Chandela dynasty of Rajputs in the 10th century, and the Solankis of Rewa. The fortress contains several temples, dating as far back as the Gupta dynasty of the 3rd-5th centuries.

HISTORY
(Kalinjar) is one of the most characteristic specimens of the hill-fortresses, originally hill-shrines, of central India. Its antiquity is proved by its mention in the Mahabharata. Kalinjar means The destroyer of time in Sanskrit. 'Kal' is time and 'jar' destruction. Legend says that after manthan Hindu God, Lord Shiva, drank the poison and his throat became blue (hence the name Neel (blue) Kantha (throat)) and he came to Kalinjar and overcome the 'Kal' i.e. he achieved victory over death. This is the reason the Shiva temple at Kalinjar is called Neelkanth. Since then, the hill has been considered a holy site, casting its shadow across the patches of grasslands as well as the densely forested valley.
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The natural splendor of the surroundings makes it an ideal place for penance and meditation and, surprisingly, a strange mystique still pervades all over the hill. The hilly peak has several legends attached to it. Its origin being shrouded in mystery, not much is known as to when and by whom the fort was built on this holy hill, though modern historians conjecture that Bargujar Kings built it from 150 to 250 CE. The fort contains Shiva temple of Neelkanth Mahadev. Similar to the one built by King Manthandev Bargujar,(a shilalekh/rock edict stands testimony to this fact,now inside Sariska Tiger Reserve ) confirmed by Col.James Tod in his classical, "Annals and Antiquties of Rajasthan" 18th century British historian,and at Baroli near Rana Sagar Dam. Later the Bargujars were part of a much bigger Gurjara - Pratihara Empire in North India which was at its peak from 500 to 1150 CE. The fort was a unique monument of its time and had no parallel in any other part of the country in terms of sheer grandeur and artistry. Its historical background is replete with numerous battles and invasions. The Hindu princes of different dynasties as well as the Muslim rulers fought hard to conquer it and the fort continued to pass from one ruler to another. But, except for the Chandelas, no other ruler could reign over it for long,Chandelas are also a branch of the Bargujars called Chandela Rajputs.

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It was besieged by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1023 without success, and later by the Mughal Babur who was the only commander in history to have captured the fort in 1526 when driving away Raja Hasan Khan Mewattpati. It was also the place where Sher Shah Suri met his death in 1545 when he was killed either in the fort or nearby on the grounds. Kalinjar played a prominent part in history down to the time of the Revolt of 1857, when it was held by a small British garrison. Both the fort and the town, which stands at the foot of the hill, are of interest to the antiquary on account of the remains of temples, sculptures, inscriptions and caves. In 1812, the British troops marched into Bundelkhand. After a long battle they were able to annex the fort. The British seizure of Kalinjar proved to be a great watershed, transferring the legacy of the old aristocracy into the hands of the new bureaucracy of officials who showed their loyalty to British imperialism by damaging the captured fort. The damages caused to the fort can still be seen on its walls and open spaces.

ATTRACTIONS
The majesty and grandeur witnessed within Kalinjar's precincts is due to the Bargujar rulers' creative imagination, their highly developed aesthetic sense and religious fervor. Though they were great devotees of Lord Shiva, they evinced a great interest in the construction of temples of other deities, too. The massive
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rock cut sculptures include figures of various gods and goddesses from ancient mythological themes. Wherever the Bargujar had established their reign they left their mark by enriching them with fine works of art, stone images, and sculpture. The western part of the fort rewards all who take the time to look inside the temple of Neelkanth Mahadev. Each time one peeps through a cave-like opening and glances at an imposing Shivlinga of around five feet, one is awestruck. The idea has been to use landscape and cave-isolation to set the solemnity of the mood for prayer. Its intrinsic feature is to reflect and refract light in the appropriate seasons, letting in light in winter and darkening to restrict its entry in summer. Just above the temple is a natural water source and water in this source never dries up. Water continually drips on Shivalinga. The priests, who are chandela rajputs since the time of the chandela kings, point out an interesting factoid: The neck of the sculpture of lord shiva on the shivalinga, though made of soid rock, is always moist to touch. In some sense reminding every visitor the "neelkantha" or drinking of poision story. Close to the Shivling cave, stand the idols of Bhairava and goddess Parvati, made of black stone. Images of numerous gods and goddesses are carved on both sides of the gateway. A number of broken pillars are seen at regular distances. On these pillars, it is said, six-storey constructions were raised, but they were demolished later. There are numerous rock-cut sculptures showing
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neglect and ravages of time. The vagaries of nature and of man have taken their toll but the remnants indicate a synthesis of several ancient cultures and faiths, the legacy of a glorious past. Another beautiful sight is the palace of prince Aman Singh. He was the descendant of King Chhatrasal. A number of legends are associated with this Mahal whose big lawns and walls unfold a long history of Chandela culture. Thousands of images made of granite and sandstone have been collected in a museum set up informally. Rich carvings on these images arrest the eye, even though they are broken and have been struck by the ravages of time. Trimurti images are also many, showing the faces of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh(Shiva). Some distance away is a massive figure of Vishnu lying in the ocean of milk, enclosed within the coils of the Sheshnag. It presents a unique artistic charm. The presence of images of Lord Shiva the god of love Kamadev, Indrani the wife of Indra etc. speaks of influence from diverse cultures and religions. It also leads us to believe that the creation of the Chandela culture was not the handiwork of artists from one region. The Bargujar princes who ruled before the Chandelas were influenced by the 'Shaiva' cult. Therefore, among the rock-cut and stone images are mostly those of Shiva, Parvati, Nandi and the Shivling. Shiva is seen at times in his dancing posture of tandava and at others in a close embrace with goddess Parvati.

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There are numerous other attractions. The Venkat Bihari temple presents a majestic look from the outside though its interiors are decayed now. Persons suffering from skin diseases can take a dip in the 'pond of million tirthas'. The Sita-kund, Pandu-kund, Patal-ganga etc. speak for the Chandelas' taste for the aquatic resorts. Cemented roads have been built all through the mountainous passage along which people can conveniently travel to reach the fort. But to discover the real charm and pleasure of adventure, one has to walk along the old beaten track, making way through the rough and rocky terrain of the seven magnificent gates falling in between. Seeing these gates, one truly appreciates the functional relevance of this invincible fort and its strategic defenses. A hub of classic monuments and sculptures, the Kalinjar Fort has a magnificient history. This colossal fortress contains numerous temples and structures within it, which replicate the creative expertise of the Chandela dynasty. Like all other forts, this massive fort also is built for the purpose of defending the kingdom. This magnificient fort situates on the top of a holy hill, which has found its mention in many Hindu scriptures. The forts strategic location on the rocky terrain, coupled with its strong battlements interspersed with highly fortified gates gave it an awesome look. The palaces, temples, chhatris and other structures of the fort are constructed in the Hindu style of architecture. A unique

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monument of its time, the fort presents an unparallel dignity, elegance and artistry.

Adinath Temple , Khajuraho

A sumptuously decorated temple with beautiful sculptures, Adinath Temple is dedicated to the Jain saint, Adinath. Believed to be built in the 11th century, this temple is an important constituent of the Jain group of temples. The walls are adorned with beautifully carved figures of court musicians. Though the temple had not been restored to its former shape, some sort of renovations helped to maintain its former glory. Only the sanctum and vestibule of the old shrine has been survived the beatings of time. A modern entrance chamber, made of lime-plastered masonry, showing arched doorways, replaces its mandapa and entrance porch. The temple is constructed in the form of 'sapta-ratha', and its single towered 'shikhara' gives the shrine a graceful look.

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CHITRAGUPTA TEMPLE
An ancient shrine, dedicated to Lord Surya, Chitragupta Temple faces eastwards to the rising sun. A 11th century old monument this temple enshrines an impressive 5 ft high image of Lord Surya in a standing posture driving a chariot of seven horses. Fabulously carved walls, which depicts voluptuous and full figured surasundaris, erotic couples, image of lord Vishnu in the 11 headed form, Chitragupta Temple really provides a rare feast to the viewer. The lintel of the intricate doorway portrays three similar but smaller figures of Lord Surya as depicted in the main sanctum. A temple with well ornate and developed features, the Chitragupta Temple houses an ancient three-storied stepped tank, known as Chopra, which is also a worth visiting spectacle.

DEVI JAGDAMBA TEMPLE

Devi Jagdambi Temple is famed for its erotic and intensely carved figures. A smaller and delicately balanced temple is bedecked with some of the premium figurines at Khajuraho. The Garbha Griha of this superb shrine houses a huge image of the goddess of the Universe.

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The temple also displays a dazzling image of Goddess Parvati, along with the most talked-about image, Mithuna. The intricately carved panels with the images of Lord Vishnu evidences the belief that this pretty shrine is initially started out as a Vishnu temple. Mesmerizing beauty of the three bands of sculptures around the temple, especially the uppermost band, makes this temple one of the finest shrines in Khajuraho.

DULHADEV TEMPLE
The last temple among the Southern Group of Temples of Khajuraho Dulhadev Temple lies to the south of Ghantai temple. Built in the year 1130 AD, the lovely shrine is a classic example of Chandela art and architecture. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this is a small five chambered shrine, with a closed hall. The ceiling are decorated with the apsaras and other ornamented sculptures. Images of Shiva and his wife, Parvati, richly decorated with intricately carved jewellery are very striking. Though this temple lacks the charm and magic of other western group temples, its location on the banks of the pretty Khudar stream makes it a lovely shrine.

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JAVARI TEMPLE
A notable Hindu Temple, Javari Temple is located at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. It comes under the eastern group of Khajuraho temples. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this is a comparatively smaller shrine, built between 1075 and 1100 AD. This fascinating holy spot displays typical splendor of the ancient Khajuraho architecture.

The exterior of the temple is decorated with complicated carvings, which depicts beautiful figures of native maidens. A well-proportioned shrine Javari temple is a jewel of architecture. Though the temple as such exhibits a magical charm, its elaborate entrance and the slender towering sketch of its spire are worth mentioning.

Kandariya Mahadev Temple

The most awesome and the largest temple in Khajuraho, Kandariya Mahadev Temple is built in around 10251050 AD. A typical sandstone structure, the temple is dedicated to Shiva with a linga at the center of the Garbha Griha. The elaborately engraved main shrine is bejeweled with more than 800 images, of which most of them are three feet high. The temple architecture consists of

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ardhamandapa, a mahamandapa supported with pillars, the garba griha and the pradakshina. The tower of the temple is about 100 ft high. The platform of the temple, which is decorated with sculptures of beautiful women in a variety of postures is really stunning. The southern and northern portions of this shrine depict the most erotic sculptures. The most elegant and famous temple also houses some of the fantastically ornate frescos on its wall, which speaks out the artistic grandeur of the bygone days.

LAKSHMANA TEMPLE
A well-Preserved Stone Temple of Khajuraho, the famous Lakshmana Temple is dedicated to lord Vishnu. The east-facing temple is carved with the images of more than 600 gods and goddesses of the Hindu mythology. The delicately carved outer wall is only a beginning, every nook and corner of this marvelous shrine is inscribed with splendid sculptures. The platform of the temple has an appealing sculptural fresco of elephants and horsemen in pageant. On the southern side are a few explicitly erotic panels. Each corner of this stone temple is having a border fence and an ancillary shrine.

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The most scrumptious part of this temple scheme is the bands of sculptural embellishment with delicate figures of apsaras, the guardians of the directions and other divine creatures. Erotic panels take a central position on the two balconies of the stone temple. On the western side are a few outstanding sculptures and the full figured, buxom, sybaritic forms of nude women with ornate jewellery.

LAKSHMI TEMPLE
Khajuraho, a small town in Madhya Pradesh is famed for its temples with wonderful sculptures. It is believed that there were 85 temples in the regions, out of which 25 exist at present. Lakhmi temple, dedicated to goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu deity of wealth, belongs to the Western Group of temples. A comparatively smaller shrine, this temple depicts moderate sculptures. The images of two guards supporting the pillar posts in front of the sanctum sanctorum are quite remarkable. A number of images of gods and goddesses enshrine the walls of this fascinating shrine. The temples of Kahjuraho have been included in the World Heritage List for their outstanding architecture and artistic value.

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HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport is at Khajuraho, which is 130 km away. BY RAIL - The nearest railway station is Atarra 36 km away, on the

Banda-Satna route, 57 km from the Banda railway station. BY ROAD - The Kalinjar fort is linked by road to all the important

centres in the region with regular bus services. Some of the major road distances are: Chitrakoot, 78 km; Banda, 62 km; Khajuraho, 130 km; and Allahabad, 205 km.

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