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The mighty Chandela dynasty, a robust clan of the warrior Rajputs, ruled Central India between A.D. 900 and 1100. The Chandela kings made their religious capital at remote Khajuraho, where they built 85 temples, almost all of them featuring exquisite sculptures of life depicted in all its forms, including the erotics.
The Chandelas held sway here until the start of the 13th century, when the
Sultans of Delhi increased their hold over vast swaths of central North India.
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By the end of the 15th century, the temples were abandoned, hidden deep within thick jungle, until their accidental discovery by a British military adventurer in 1838. By this time, 7 centuries after the political decline of their Chandela creators, only 22 of the original 85 temples remained.
Today these UNESCO World Heritage Site monuments are famous for their transgressive, taboo-breaking erotic sculptures, images that are almost as intimately associated with India as the Taj. But the temples also represent an outstanding synthesis of advanced architecture and refined sculpture.
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Western Group of temples
Kandariya Mahadeo - The 31m high temple is the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple with exquisite carvings and intricate and detailed craftsmanship in stone depicting divine deities, celestial maidens, eternal lovers, gods and goddesses. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and enshrines the 'linga'.
Chaunsath Yogini - The temple is the earliest temple of the group that has survived. It belongs to 900 AD and is dedicated Goddess Kali. It has the distinction of being the only granite temple here.
Chitragupta Temple - This temple is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev). It faces towards east or the rising sun and the imposing image of the image of the deity in the inner sanctum is as high as five feet and is shown driving a horse-drawn chariot. It is in front of this temple and the Vishwanatha temple that most of the dance performances take place during the Khajuraho Dance Festival.
Vishwanatha Temple - This temple has impressive entrances with magnificent stone guarding its northern steps and royal masonry elephants taking care of the southern steps. The three-headed image of Lord Brahma in the temple is no less captivating.
Lakshmana Temple - A pretty Vaishnava temple flaunts a lintel over its entrance depicting the divine trinity of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva along with Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu.
Matangeshwara Temple - Situated outside the premises of Western group of temples, this Lord Shiva's temple is known for the daunting eight-feet high lingam (male organ representing the natural process of reproduction and the continuity of human life form) that it enshrines.
A SON-ET-LUMIERE show is presented everyday at the Western Group of
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Southern Group of temples
Duladeo Temple - This Shiva temple is known for flaunting the striking images of the celestial maidens or apsaras and richly ornamented figures.
Chaturbhuja Temple - It is the huge imposing intricately carved image of Lord Vishnu in the temple's sanctum, which is the chief attraction of this temple.
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Eastern Group of temples
Parsvanatha Temple - The largest Jain temple of the Eastern group, Parsvanath temple has intricate stone carvings, especially, the sculptures on the northern outer wall of the temple are certainly praiseworthy. It enshrines a throne facing the bull emblem that represents the first tirthankara, Adinatha.
Chantai Temple - This Jain temple has remarkable frescos depicting the 16 dreams of the mother of Lord Mahavira at the time of his birth and a Jain goddess mounted on a winged Garuda.
Adinatha Temple - This temple is richly ornamented with delicate and pretty sculptures including those of yakshis. It is dedicated to the first Jain tirthankara (saint), Adinath.
The three Hindu temples of the group are the BRAHMA TEMPLE enshrining a four-faced linga; the
VAMANA TEMPLE with divine carvings of sensuous celestial maidens in various poses adorning its outer walls and the
JAVARI TEMPLE with a opulently carved doorway and ostentatious sculptures on its exteriors.
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