Tucked away in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho isn’t your typical tourist stop — it’s a town that’s home to temples that seem to have been carved out of magic and history. Known for its jaw-dropping Hindu and Jain temples, Khajuraho is a UNESCO World Heritage Site , making it the perfect blend of art, spirituality, and history. Whether you’re an architecture aficionado, a history geek, or just someone looking for a quirky, awe-inspiring adventure, Khajuraho will sweep you off your feet and take you on a journey through India’s golden era.
A glimpse into the past
Constructed between 950 and 1050 AD by the Chandela dynasty , the temples of Khajuraho were once a staggering 85 in number. Fast forward to today, about 20 temples still stand tall, each one a dazzling masterpiece of stonework. These temples are famous for their detailed sculptures that cover everything — from mythology to spirituality, and from love and life to the daily life of medieval India.
And contrary to popular belief, not all the carvings are steamy! Yes, a few embrace sensuality, but most of them celebrate life — think warriors, dancers, musicians, and gods carved with such finesse that they look like they could step off the stone at any moment.
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The must-see templesKandariya Mahadev Temple: The big daddy of them all! With over 800 sculptures, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a feast for the eyes.
Lakshmana Temple: With jaw-dropping detail, this one’s dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It’s a prime example of Nagara-style architecture.
Chitragupta Temple: Dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, this temple showcases a stunning idol of Surya riding a chariot pulled by seven horses. Talk about a sunny disposition!
Parsvanath Temple: This Jain beauty shines with non-religious carvings and graceful figures that’ll have you mesmerized.
Why is Khajuraho famous?
Khajuraho is most famous for its erotic and symbolic temple carvings, particularly the life and love descriptions of the Kama Sutra. The carvings are part of a larger work that contains aspects of daily life, mythology, dance, music, and religion. Three temple groups: Western, Eastern, and Southern. Western Group is the most well-preserved and visited.
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Best time to visitWhile Khajuraho is magical all year round, the ideal time to visit is between October and March. If you time it right, February’s Khajuraho Dance Festival will take your experience to a whole new level. Picture classical Indian dance performances against the glowing backdrop of the temples — it’s like stepping into a fairytale, but with more rhythm.
How to Reach Khajuraho?
By Air: There exists a domestic airport at Khajuraho that has regular services to Delhi and Varanasi.
By Train: Khajuraho railway station connects the town to nearby big cities like Jhansi, Delhi, and Bhopal.
By Road: It is well linked by national highways to nearby towns and cities through regular buses and private taxis.
Khajuraho is a witness to India's liberal-minded spiritual heritage. This World Heritage site of UNESCO is a perfect fusion of sacred and sensual, the divine and the earthly.
A glimpse into the past
Constructed between 950 and 1050 AD by the Chandela dynasty , the temples of Khajuraho were once a staggering 85 in number. Fast forward to today, about 20 temples still stand tall, each one a dazzling masterpiece of stonework. These temples are famous for their detailed sculptures that cover everything — from mythology to spirituality, and from love and life to the daily life of medieval India.
And contrary to popular belief, not all the carvings are steamy! Yes, a few embrace sensuality, but most of them celebrate life — think warriors, dancers, musicians, and gods carved with such finesse that they look like they could step off the stone at any moment.
Read more: 8 hidden beaches around Mumbai worth the escape
The must-see templesKandariya Mahadev Temple: The big daddy of them all! With over 800 sculptures, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a feast for the eyes.
Lakshmana Temple: With jaw-dropping detail, this one’s dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It’s a prime example of Nagara-style architecture.
Chitragupta Temple: Dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, this temple showcases a stunning idol of Surya riding a chariot pulled by seven horses. Talk about a sunny disposition!
Parsvanath Temple: This Jain beauty shines with non-religious carvings and graceful figures that’ll have you mesmerized.
Why is Khajuraho famous?
Khajuraho is most famous for its erotic and symbolic temple carvings, particularly the life and love descriptions of the Kama Sutra. The carvings are part of a larger work that contains aspects of daily life, mythology, dance, music, and religion. Three temple groups: Western, Eastern, and Southern. Western Group is the most well-preserved and visited.
Read more: World's 10 most dangerous destination for women travelling alone
Best time to visitWhile Khajuraho is magical all year round, the ideal time to visit is between October and March. If you time it right, February’s Khajuraho Dance Festival will take your experience to a whole new level. Picture classical Indian dance performances against the glowing backdrop of the temples — it’s like stepping into a fairytale, but with more rhythm.
How to Reach Khajuraho?
By Air: There exists a domestic airport at Khajuraho that has regular services to Delhi and Varanasi.
By Train: Khajuraho railway station connects the town to nearby big cities like Jhansi, Delhi, and Bhopal.
By Road: It is well linked by national highways to nearby towns and cities through regular buses and private taxis.
Khajuraho is a witness to India's liberal-minded spiritual heritage. This World Heritage site of UNESCO is a perfect fusion of sacred and sensual, the divine and the earthly.
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