Khajuraho Temples
The Chandela rulers constructed the temples over a 100-year period, each one commissioned by a king. Dhangadeva and Yashovarman erected the majority of the temples. The temples were constructed near Mahoba, the former capital of the Chandela dynasty. The temples were named for the date palm trees that once stood at the entrance to the property. The Khajuraho Temples are famous for their sensual sculptures and carvings, while the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha has similar works.
Khajuraho Temple Architecture
The temples are composed of sandstone and granite and follow the design sensibility of Nagara-style building. Except for the temple of Chaturbhuja, all of the temples face the sun, which is a frequent aesthetic in Hindu temples. Male and female deities display male and female power co-dependency. The temples are based on the mandala design, which consists of a square and circles. A pentagon is formed by dividing the entire precinct into three zones. The following temples are located in the three zones:
Kandariya Mahadeo temple, Lakshmana temple, Chausat Yogini temple, Jagadambi temple, Chitragupta temple, Matangeshwara temple, Vishwanath temple, and Varaha temple are part of the Western Group of Temples.
Ghantai temple, Parasvanath temple, Adinath temple, Brahma temple, Hanumna temple, Javari and Vamana temple are part of the Eastern Group of Temples.
Beejamandal, Dulhadev, Jatkari, and Chaturbhuj temples are part of the Southern Group of Temples.
Khajuraho Temple Timings
The visiting hours for Khajuraho Temple are from 8 am to 6 pm.
9. Western Group of Temples
The Western Group of temples has an entry fee of Rs. 10/- (for Indians) and USD $ 5 (for visitors). (If you have a Taj Mahal ticket, you can use it here as well.) From sunrise to sunset, all of the temples are open. These are the wealthiest and most populous of all the temple groups.
1 Chaunsat Yogini. The only granite temple in the Khajuraho group.
2 Chitragupta Temple. It is dedicated to Lord Chitragupta, the book keeper of the good and bad deeds.
3. Devi Jagdamba Temple. This temple, dedicated to the Goddess (devi), is smaller and more delicately designed, and it has some of Khajuraho’s best sculptures. Though it appears to have started as a Vishnu temple, the garbha griha features a large figure of the Devi of the Universe (Jagdambi). The traditional three bands of sculptures are present, but the third and highest of these houses some of the most sexual works.
4 Kandariya Mahadev Temple. This temple is decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art.
5 Lakhmana Temple. The oldest and most beautiful of the western temples, named after the monarch who erected it. The trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva with Lakshmi, Vishnu’s wife, is depicted on a horizontal beam over the entrance of this exquisite Vaishnavite temple.
6. Matanageswara Temple. A temple dedicated to Shiva, a huge 8ft Lingam adorns the temple.
Eastern Group of Temples
7 Adinath Temple. Dedicated to Jain Tirthankar(God), Adinath, the temple is lavishly embellished with sculpted figures, including yakshis.
8 Brahma Temple. Considered to be one of the oldest temples of Khajuraho made entirely in granite and sandstone, is dedicated to Vishnu.
9 Ghantai Temple. This Jain temple has a frieze which depicts the 16 dreams of Mahavira’s mother, and a Jain goddess on a winged Garuda.
10 Hanuman Temple.
10 Javari Temple.
11 Parsvanath Temple. Largest among the group, with exquisite carvings in detail. The sculptures on the northern outer wall are the highlights of this temple. The image was installed in 1860.
12 Vamana Temple. It is the dwarf form of Lord Vishnu, located in a secluded place and is known for its simple architecture.
Southern Group of Temples
1 Beejamandal Temple. It is a ruined temple, and is near the Chattarbhuj Temple.
2 Chattarbhuj Temple (This is the Jatkari Temple.) Built in 1100 A.D., it is noted for its architecture and for being the only temple in the world without any erotic sculpture. The Eastern Group is 3 kilometres away. To go to the sanctum, face west and take 10 steps. Chaturbhuja’s enormous 9-foot beautifully carved Vishnu idol (four-armed).
3 Dulhadev Temple. To the south of Ghantai temple is Khajuraho’s final temple. A Shivalingam is enshrined in the temple. The temple’s most prominent elements are the apsara and gilded statues..
The Khajuraho Temple Light & Sound Show Timings
The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department is in charge of the light and sound performance at the Khajuraho Temple. There are two shows offered, one in English and the other in Hindi. The timings of these displays in the Khajuraho Temple are vary in the winter and summer. Winter hours are 6.30 p.m. to 7.25 p.m. and run from October to February. Summer hours are from 7.30 and 8.25 p.m. from March to September. For Indian visitors, the entry charge is Rs 250, while overseas visitors pay Rs 700. Children under the age of five do not require a ticket. The light and sound show’s gate and ticket booth are separate from the temple complex’s main entrance. The entry tickets to the Khajuraho Temple light and sound show can’t be booked in advance.
Khajuraho Museum Timings
The museum is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on Fridays. The cost of a ticket for Indians, SAARC, and BIMSTEC visitors is Rs 10, while foreign visitors must pay Rs 250. Around the Western collection of temples, the museum is near the Matageshwar temple.
How to Reach Khajuraho Temple
Khajuraho, in northern Madhya Pradesh, is known as the home of the Khajuraho temple. Every year, a large number of travellers visit just for this significant tourist destination. Because of this, Khajuraho is easily accessible and has its own airport, which is rather close to the site. The quickest method to go to Khajuraho is via plane; the airport is approximately 2 minutes away. If you don’t want to drive, you can take a bus from Chhatarpur. Khajuraho is 44 kilometres from Chattarpur district, 281 kilometres from Gwalior, 375 kilometres from Bhopal, 565 kilometres from Indore, and 355 kilometres from Ranchi. Harpalpur (94 km), Satna (117 km), Jhansi (175 km), and Jabalpur (258 km) are the closest cities to Khajuraho.
Nearest Airport Khajuraho Airport
Nearest Metro Station NA
Nearest Railway Station Khajuraho Railway Station
Nearest Bus Stand Khajuraho Bus Stand
Nearest Bus Stand to Khajuraho Temple
Khajuraho Bus Stand is 1 km from the Khajuraho temple. The bus service is available from Delhi to Khajuraho, Agra to Khajuraho, Indore to Khajuraho, Bhopal to Khajuraho and other cities.
Nearest Railway Station to Khajuraho Temple
Situated in Chhatarpur district, Khajuraho Railway Station is 5 km from the Khajuraho temple. There are trains from Delhi to Khajuraho, Agra to Khajuraho, Varanasi to Khajuraho and more. Choose from Khajuraho-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express, UP Sampark Kranti Express, Bundelkhand Link Express to reach the town.
Nearest Airport to Khajuraho Temple
Khajuraho Airport is a stone’s throw away from the Khajuraho Temple Complex, a mere kilometre run. It operates flights from Delhi and Varanasi.
Nearest Metro Station to Khajuraho Temple
There is no metro station in Khajuraho although both Indore and Bhopal have their own metro rail networks.
Khajuraho Temple Online Ticket
Entry Fee (Indian) INR 40
Entry Fee (SAARC and BIMSTEC) INR 40
Entry Fee (Foreigner ) INR 600
Entry Below (Children Below Age 15) Free
The price for Khajuraho Temple entry ticket for the Western temples is Rs 40 for Indian nationals. The Khajuraho Temple entry ticket for foreigners is priced at 600 and for SAARC and BIMSTEC tourists the entry fee is the same as Indian citizens that is Rs 40 each. The children below 15 years can visit the temples free of charge.
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