The
Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a group of
Hindu and
Jain temples in
Madhya Pradesh, India, about 175 kilometres (109 mi) southeast of
Jhansi. They are one of the
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. The temples are famous for their
nagara-style architectural symbolism and their
erotic sculptures.
Most Khajuraho temples were built between 950 and 1050 by the
Chandeladynasty. Historical records note that the Khajuraho temple site had 85 temples by 12th century, spread over 20 square kilometers. Of these, only about 20 temples have survived, spread over 6 square kilometers. Of the various surviving temples, the
Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is decorated with a profusion of sculptures with intricate details, symbolism and expressiveness of ancient Indian art.
The Khajuraho group of temples were built together but were dedicated to two religions—namely
Hinduism and
Jainism—suggesting a tradition of acceptance and respect for diverse religious views among Hindus and Jains
The Khajuraho group of monuments was built during the rule of the
Rajput Chandela dynasty. The building activity started almost immediately after the rise of their power, throughout their kingdom to be later known as
Bundelkhand.
Most temples were built during the reigns of the Hindu kings
Yashovarman and
Dhanga. Yashovarman's legacy is best exhibited by Lakshmana temple. Vishvanatha temple best highlights King Dhanga's reign. The largest and currently most famous surviving temple is Kandariya Mahadeva built in the reign of King
Ganda from 1017-1029 CE. The temple inscriptions suggest many of the currently surviving temples were complete between 970 to 1030 CE, with further temples completed during the following decades.
The Khajuraho temples were built about 35 miles from the medieval city of Mahoba, the capital of the Chandela dynasty, in the Kalinjar region. In ancient and medieval literature, their kingdom has been referred to as Jijhoti, Jejahoti, Chih-chi-to and Jejakabhukti.
The name Khajuraho, or Kharjuravāhaka, is derived from ancient Sanskrit (kharjura, खर्जूर means date palm, and vāhaka, वाहक means "one who carries" or bearer). Local legends state that the temples had two golden date-palm trees as their gate (missing when they were rediscovered). Desai states that Kharjuravāhaka also means scorpion bearer, which is another symbolic name for deity Shiva (who wears snakes and scorpion garlands in his fierce form).
Cunningham’s nomenclature and systematic documentation work in 1850s and 1860s have been widely adopted and continue to be in use. He grouped the temples into the Western group around Lakshmana, Eastern group around Javeri, and Southern group around Duladeva.
Khajuraho is one of the four holy sites linked to deity Shiva (the other three are Kedarnath, Kashi and Gaya). Its origin and design is a subject of scholarly studies. Shobita Punja has proposed that the temple’s origin reflect the Hindu mythology in which Khajuraho is the place where Shiva got married; with Raghuvamsha verse 5.53, Matangeshvara honoring ‘’Matanga’’, or god of love.
Khajuraho - Temples of Love A typical Khajuraho temple sits upon a lofty stone terrace with a distinct upward direction to their build, further enhanced by several vertical projections to simulate the effect of an overall lightness. The three main compartments are the entrance, ardhamandapa, assembly hall or the mandapa, and the actual sanctum or the garbha griha. -
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| Medieval eroticism! |
It has largely been acknowledged that the temples have in their makeup, an overwhelming influence of the Tantrik cult. But how the Tantrik cult, and its approach came into being in these captivating sculptures in Khajuraho remains a mystery. It is also surprising, how the followers of the Tantrik cult became so predominant that they could build such majestic edifices for the propagation of their beliefs and their doctrines. -
KHAJURAHO STORIES & MYTHS
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| Sculpture symbolizes such strong passion of human lust |
There is no archaeological evidence of Khajuraho’s exact history and stories behind these incredible erotic arts. A famous theory is that in the medieval period, young boys were sent to hermitage to learn scriptures and practice celibacy. When they reached maturity, those sculptures were meant to teach them the family lives. Though, certain images like copulation with animals and orgy can’t justify the teaching part.
Some credible explanations of Khajuraho’s sculptures are:
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| Ascetic involves in carnal pleasure |
• Some experts believe that in medieval era, erotic sculptures were symbols of happiness, prosperity and auspiciousness. Renowned Indologist Udayan Indurkar explains the sculptures with divinity. He strongly condemned calling it obscene, and symbolizing those sculptures with cosmic explosion. He call it a cosmic explosion where there were no external supply of energy. All energy came from within. In case of sexual energy, the energy is created within and the person releases it. He argues, the sculptures were not meant to portray humans union, but cosmic truth through sexual act.
• Some people believe the theory of mocking the ascetics. The coital couples display both ascetics and royal class. The artists who carved the sculptures imagined ascetics in sensuous and passionate moods to mock the left-handed Tantric sect that rose to prominence at that era.
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| Khajuraho sculpture |
• Some other experts speculate the figures were some sort of code language to convey Tantric doctrine. For example, in a figure washerwoman clings to a celibate in the eyes of ordinary people look erotic. However, in Tantric language, the washerwoman represents Kundalalini energy that is ascended from the lower portion to upper breaking all chakras.
• According to the architectural book of Shilpa Prakasha, each temple has installed some sort of magical yantra to protect it from evil forces. From the eyes of layman, one cannot see those yantra. Those erotic postures were actually pointed a line symmetry and superimposed the yantra.
Although Khajuraho erotic sculptures are considered the pillar of human passion and carnal desire, still it is not the only temple where one can see those erotic sculptures. During the period between 900-1300 AD, many Hindu, Jain and even Buddhist temples in western and southern India displayed some erotic sculptures.
