Located in the Chattarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is an iconic, ancient city that’s famous primarily for its temples. One step into the city, and you will see history narrating the tales of an era long gone. Be it the intricate sculptures of the town or its magnificent temples, Khajuraho attracts history buffs and culture enthusiasts alike.
The Khajuraho temple site, in particular, is what draws travellers the most to this city. If you’re on the hunt for religious places in Khajuraho, make sure to pay a visit to this temple complex.
In the 12th century, the Khajuraho temple site had a whopping 85 temples covering 20 square kilometres. Fast-forward to today, the site only has 25 temples spread over six square kilometres.
The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a group of Hindu and Jain temples. These monuments are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Now, the question is – What makes these temples so popular? Travellers visiting this temple site are particularly drawn towards its historical and religious importance. The temples are widely known for their erotic sculptures and nagara-style architectural symbolism as well.
In this post, we will discuss these temples’ historical and religious significance. Let’s dive in!
Historical Importance
Most of the temples of Khajuraho were constructed in the time frame between 885 AD to 1050 AD by the Chandela dynasty. People often visit the Khajuraho Group of Monuments to view its Nagara-Style architecture. They also flock to this site because of the magnificent statues.
The elegant statues of deities and nayikas (Hindu Mythological female protagonists) at the site are widely known for their splendour.
The temples also exhibit excellent craftsmanship in their sculptures and architecture, making it one of the top reasons you should visit them. Apart from this, one highlight feature of Khajuraho temples is that they represent various things through stimulating art. These include different forms of meditation, relationships, and spiritual teachings.
Tip: One of the surviving Khajuraho temples, the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, is a must-visit. Decorated with intricate sculptures, the temple hands you a mirror into the country’s ancient art.
Interesting fact
The boys lived in hermitages in the era in which these monuments were constructed. They remained “brahmacharis” until they reached manhood. Once they attained manhood, these sculptures helped them understand the role of a “householder.”
Religious Importance
The Khajuraho temples were dedicated to Jainism and Hinduism.
As we mentioned, 25 temples remain in the current day temple site, from the original 85 temples that were built. These temples highlight various deities of Jainism and Hinduism and represent different life concepts.
When you visit the temples, you will see that they are dedicated to the Sun God, Ganesha, Shiva, the avatars of Vishnu, and Jain Tirthankars. Upon exploring these temples, you will get to know fascinating religious stories, all through the help of sculptures.
Interesting fact
Check out the religious sculpture of Varaha Avatar of Lord Vishnu. The avatar is believed to have rescued Mother Earth and helped her restore her place in the universe.
Conclusion
That’s it! This was all about the religious and historical importance of the temples of Khajuraho. If you are planning to visit this ancient city and wish for a lavish stay, remember to check out the best 5-star hotels in Khajuraho!
