Khajuraho; a UNESCO World Heritage site, is dotted with a multitude of Hindu as well as Jain temples that pull tourists from every nook and corner of the country as well as the globe. The unique sandstone temple carvings, intricate details, and symbolism are some of the finest in the world and depict Hindu art and culture at their zenith. The temples have been built over a span of 200 years by the Chandela Rajputs who ruled this part of the country between the 10th and the 12th centuries. There were nearly 85 temples originally but now only 22 survive due to damages that were caused by weather over the years. The sculptures of Gods, Goddesses adorning the temple walls exhibit the many expressions of Lords Shiva and Shakti. Plan your Travel to Khajuraho, a one of a kind destination in the world, as you read along.

Location

Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh is a quaint little village holding much significance from the tourism viewpoint. The district where it is located is known as Chhatarpur which lies around 620 km southeastward of the country capital, New Delhi. The temples are located around 10 km of the east-west National Highway 75. The latitudinal and longitudinal extents of Khajuraho are 24.8318° N, 79.9199° E.

How to Reach

The best way to reach Khajuraho is by train. You can take the Khajuraho-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express from New Delhi, which has daily connectivity to Khajuraho and once there, you can hire a car or an auto from outside the railway station. Another railway station which is closest to Khajuraho (approximately 75 km away) and is well connected to several other Indian cities, is Mahoba Junction. Some regular trains that ply here are Bundelkhand Express, Mahakaushal Express, and Udaipur Khajuraho Express.

You can also travel to Khajuraho by road from most cities in Madhya Pradesh as good networks of well-maintained roads connect Khajuraho to the rest of Madhya Pradesh. It is also connected with a good bus network and many private as well as state-owned buses run from neighboring cities like Jhansi to Khajuraho.

Khajuraho also has its own domestic airport which has connectivity with many other Indian cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Varanasi, Allahabad, and Bhopal. Operators like Jet Airways, Spice Jet, Air India, etc fly regular flights to Khajuraho and once there, you can hail a cab to your hotel.

Weather

The weather of the region features sub-tropical weather that sees extremely hot summers and cool winters. Summers in the region are pretty hot, humid and sultry and temperatures can shoot up to even 47-degrees C, while winters are cool and pleasant where the mercury sometimes even drops to 4-degree C during the months of December-January. June to October, they also experience monsoon when the city receives more than 14 cm of rainfall. Humidity during this time is extremely high and the weather is steamy.

Best Time to Visit

Winter season spanning between October and February, is the best time to visit Khajuraho. The weather remains cool that is ideal for sightseeing. It is opportune to explore the temples and the intricate works on them. Summers and monsoons are not a very good time to visit as the heat are scorching during that time and sightseeing could be tiresome.

Popular Tourist Attractions

• Khajuraho Temples: This group of temples is famous for its nagara-style architecture, symbolism and distinct sculptures. The temple exhibits some of the most artistic sculptures that are famous in the whole world and are one of the most popular tourist spots in Madhya Pradesh.
• Kandariya Mahadev Temple: Built around the 11th century AD this is one of the most stunning tourist attractions here. The architecture exudes finesse and grandeur.
• Lakshmana Temple: This is one of the oldest temples here and also architecturally brilliant. It is named after the ruler at the time it was built. The main attraction here is the sculpture of the Holy Trinity-Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, on a beam over the entrance to the temple.
• Chaturbhuj Temple: This temple is in Madhya Pradesh’s Orchha. This unique temple is built on a raised platform and is visited by pilgrims all year round.
• Parsvanath Temple: This temple has very intricately carved details on the walls and is quite intriguing site architecture is a smooth blend of Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist styles.
• Devi Jagdamba Temple: The temple houses a stunning sculpture of the Goddess of the Universe in its Garba Griha, apart from a beautiful image of goddess Parvati. This temple too has beautifully carved figures adorning its walls.
• Varaha Temple: This temple enshrines a massive idol of Varaha-the divine boar that is actually Lord Vishnu’s incarnation. It is beautifully carved out in sandstone.
• Adinath Temple: The beauty and architectural finesse of the Adinath Temple are simply unparalleled. The temple is dedicated to the Jain God Tirthankar. It embodies some exquisitely sculpted figures including those of Yakshis.

Temple Timings

Visitors can enter the Khajuraho temples by paying an entry fee. Most temples are open from 8am to 6pm for “Darshan” except for the Matangeshwar Temple whose timings are 6am to 10pm. A fascinating Light and Sound Show arranged by Madhya Pradesh Government is a great crowd puller. The timings of the show vary from summer to winter.

Accommodation

There are a number of hotels, resorts and budget lodges in Khajuraho. You can choose from something as stylish and ostentatious as the Lalit property which is situated within half a kilometer of the temples or the cottages at Sarai At Toria which is a family-run resort close to nature. Hotels such as the Isabel Palace are less extravagant but give you great views, services, and deals. Most hotels give you package deals that include meals, drives, etc.

Food

Being in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho exudes much influence of the Bundelkhandi flavours on its cuisine. They hold dear a lot of their authentic dishes that have passed down to recent times over the years and keeps the culinary lineage of the city intact. You will find a Jain influence too on the local food and a regular meal would consist of a simple plate of Rice, Roti, Dal, and Vegetables.