Khajuraho

Khajuraho is a small town located in the Bundelkhand region (Chhatarpur District) of Madhya Pradesh and is famous for groups of Hindu and Jain temples. These temples are a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their beautiful and erotic rock carvings.

Khajuraho has the Vindhya range of mountains as its beautiful backdrop. This makes Khajuraho a more fascinating destination to visit. The erotic sculptures of Khajuraho depicting Kama Sutra are unique in the world. These sculptures representing the Indo-Aryan architecture, congeal in stone a lyrical paean to love and passion and reflect the Chandela dynasty's passion and immense appreciation for the forbidden art, paradoxically, in the land of Kama Sutra. They cannot be passed off as just erotic sculptures, the temples have some of the most revered Gods of Hinduism.

How to go to Khajuraho? Transportation to Khajuraho.

By plane
Khajuraho Airport (IATA: HJR) Tel:+91 7686 740-415 is located 5 km from the city, and is served by Air India (fomerly Indian Airlines) [2] offering flights from Delhi, Varanasi and Mumbai, Jet Airways [3] offering flights from Delhi and Varanasi and Kingfisher offering flights from Varanasi. If one is not prepared for a 5-6 hours bumpy ride from Jhansi to Khajuraho, then the plane is the best mode.

By train
A train station was finally opened in Khajuraho in 2008, linking it to Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh) (175km) on the Delhi-Chennai/Bangalore/ Trivandrum mainline. NOTE: You can not buy train tickets at the Khajuraho train station! You must go to the BUS station, about 1km walk out of town, to buy train tickets (much cheaper than buying tickets through your hotel). UP Sampark Kranti Express (Train number 2448) runs from Delhi H. Nizamuddin to Khajuraho 6 days a week except thursday. If you have to go back towards delhi from khajuraho then try to book this train's tickets as its very convinient to go from khajuraho by train than by bus. It departs from khajuraho at 6.15 pm and reaches delhi at 5.30 in the morning. For coming to khajuraho the train departs from H. Nizamuddin at 21.35 hrs and reaches Khajuraho next day morning at 07.50 hrs.

The other options to reach Khajuraho is through Jhansi. It takes around 6 hours to reach Jhansi from Delhi by train, and another 3-4 hours (plus connecting time) to go to Khajuraho. Get the Dakshin Express from Delhi (22:50 hrs) and reach Jhansi by 05:00 hrs, connecting to the Jhansi-Khajuraho Link Passenger(Train No:229A) which now runs along with Jhansi-Allahabad Passenger(Train No:229) starts from Jhansi at 7:20AM and reaches Khajuraho at 12:10PM. Another option is the Bhopal Shatabdi train from delhi (6.00) to Jhansi.Train from Khajuraho to Jhansi departs from Khajuraho at 12:25PM and will reach Jansi by 5.30PM. Both the trains have stoppage at Orcha.

An alternative station is Satna (Madhya Pradesh) (117km) on the Allahabad-Mumbai main line. Another option is Mahoba station on the Varanasi- Jhansi Route.Alight at Mahoba and catch the 11:00AM Passenger(Train No:229A) to Khajuraho.

By taxi/bus
Satna and Jhansi both are connected to Khajuraho by regular bus service. It takes around 3 hours to reach Khajuraho from Satna or Jhansi by taxi, and 5-6 hours by bus. There are daily bus services with Satna, Jhansi, Harpalpur, Chhatarpur, Mahoba, Sagar,Jabalpur, Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Panna, Agra, Allahabad and Varanasi. From Jhansi railway station catch a rickshaw to Jhansi bus station which is 5Kms away. It is very difficult to get a bus to Khajuraho from Jhansi after 5PM. So try to reach Jhansi by afternoon if you want to catch a bus to Khajuraho from Jhansi.
Khajuraho to Bandhavgarh (225km, 5hrs), Satna (117km, 4hrs), Harpalpur (94km), Jhansi (172km)and Mahoba (61km). Khajuraho is located 600km (11hrs journey) south-east of Delhi. There are bus services from Agra (12 hrs), Gwalior (9hrs) and Jhansi.

Place to see, Place to visit / Sightseeing places in Khajuraho City.

Lakhmana Temple - The oldest and finest of the western group of temples, named after the ruler that built the temple. The A horizontal beam over the entrance of this beautiful Vaishnavite temple shows the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva with Lakshmi, Vishnus consort.
Kandariya Mahadeo Temple - This temple is decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art.

Devi Jagdamba Temple - Dedicated to the Goddess(devi), this is smaller and much more delicately proportioned temple and is home to some of the finest sculptures of Khajuraho.The garbha griha has a huge image of the Devi of the Universe (Jagdambi), though it appears to have started as a Vishnu temple. It has the usual three bands of sculptures, but the third and most uppermost of these houses some of the most erotic sculptures.

Chaunsat Yogini - The only granite temple in the Khajuraho group
Chitragupta Temple - is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya), it faces eastward to the rising sun
Matanageswara Temple - A temple dedicated to Shiva, a huge 8ft Lingam adorns the temple.
[edit] Eastern Group of Temples

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.

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.

Adinath Temple - Dedicated to Jain Tirthankar(God), adinath, the temple is lavishly embellished with sculpted figures, including yakshis.

Hanuman Temple

Brahma Temple - considered to be one of the oldest temples of Khajuraho made entirely in granite and sandstone, is dedicated to Vishnu.

Vamana Temple - is the dwarf form of Lord Vishnu, located in a secluded place and is known for its simple architecture.

Javari Temple

Dulhadev Temple - The last temple of Khajuraho, lies to the south of Ghantai temple. The temple enshrines a Shivalingam. The apsara and ornamented figures are the temple's most striking features.

Beejamandal Temple - It is a ruined temple, and is near the Chattarbhuj Temple
Chattarbhuj Temple Or The Jatkari Temple - Built in 1100 A.D., is well-known for its architecture, and is also the only temple to be devoid of any erotic sculpture. 3 km away from the Eastern Group. Facing West, have to take 10 steps to reach the sanctum. The massive 9 feet intricately carved Vishnu idol in Chaturbhuja (four-armed).

Light and Sound Show at Western group of temples - After visiting the temple complex is over, the sound and light show, narrated by the Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachhan, is held every evening. Entry ticket Rs. 90/- for Indians and Rs. 300/- for foreigners.

Khajuraho Dance Festival
 

Hotels and place to stay near Khajuraho Temple.

 

Hotel Jhankar  : Ph: (+91)-(07686) 274 063, 274 194  Price Range: Rs.1190 Hotel Payal : Ph: (+91)-(07686) 274 064, 274 076  Price Range: Rs.690-1190 Hotel Rahil : Ph: (07686) 274 062  Dormitory Beds Rs.90, Single Room Rs.490 Hotel Lakeside - A budget hotel and pretty clean. Breakfast is not that good, even thn its expensive. Location is suitable and near to the western group of temples. A/C rooms are facing to the lake but the lake is filled wth dirty water Address: opposite:-Shivsagar lake,Khajuraho - 471606(M.P.)INDIA Tel. No.0091-7686-274120 Tel/Fax No.0091-7686-272370 Mob. No.0091-9425143675;0091-7869176133  Rates: From Rs.500 to Rs.1400, check in from 12 noon and check out 12 noon.

Hotel Greenwood : Opposite Airport Tel: (+91)-(07686)-274 505
Hotel Surya : Jain Temple road, ( 91)-(07686) 274 145 , 274 572 fax ( 91)-(07686)-274 538 . Cheap, friendly and clean room, good value for the price (200 to 500 as april 2011) at least out of peak season. Nice garden but expensive (dishes around 150) restaurant. 200-500rs. (24.8423210,79.9246300)
Hotel Zen Jain Temples Road, Tel: (+91)-(07686)-274 228
Hotel Bharat Lodge - owned by the popular Paradise Restaurant management.
Hotel Yogi Lodge - The cheapest and best, very clean, Good breakfast, everything made-to-order, Address: opposite to the Western group of Temples Tel: (+91)- (07686)-274 158, 244 158
 Price Rs.80-250
Hotel Gem Palace Jain Temple Road Tel: (+91)-(07686)-274100  Price Rs.200-475
Hotel Surya Jain Temple Road Tel: (+91)-(07686) 244 145
Hotel Jain Jain Temples Road Tel: (+91)-(07686) 242 352
Hotel Sunset View Tel: (+91)-(07686) 244 077
Hotel Casa Di William Tel: (+91)-(07686) 244244
Golbro Tiger View Resort Near Petrol Pump Tel: (+91)-(07627) 265 314
Hotel Marble Palace - A Temple Side Hotel Oppsite gole market. Telephone - (+91)- (07686)274353
Hotel Harmony khajuraho (91)7686-274135 very near to the temples, 40 rooms with air condition and non aircondition. roof top resturant serving chinese,indian and continental dishes.
Hotel Khajuraho Ashok Ph: (+91)-(07686)-274 024
Kairali Ayurvedic Health Spa Opposite Khajuraho Airport, Tel: (+91)-(07686)-272 219 / 274 757
Ken River Lodge Village: Madla, Near Panna National Park Tel: (+91)-(07732) 275 200 Price: Around $165 The Ken River Lodge remains closed from May to Oct. May be a good information.
Holiday Inn Khajuraho Tel: (+91)-(07686)-272 301, Price: Around $75
Hotel Jass Oberoi Pass Road, Tel: (+91)-(07686)-2723 44, 2Km from airport, Price: Around $95'
The Grand Temple View [12],opp. Circuit House, Khajuraho - 471606. Tel: (+91) (07686)- 272 111, (+91) -(07686) 272 333 Fax:(+91)- (07686) 272 123  Price: Around $160
Hotel Taj Chandela Chhatarpur, Khajuraho 471 606 Tel: (+91)-(07686) 272 355-64 Fax: (+91)-(07686) 272 365-66  Price: Around $100
Hotel Clarks Khajuraho Tel: (+91)-(07686)-274 038, fax (+91)-(07686)- 274 257 1 Km from airport, Price: Around $100
Hotel Radisson  By Pass Road, Khajuraho, Tel: (+91)-(07686)-272 777  Price: Around $70
Usha Bundela Usha Bundela Temple Road Tel: (07686) 272 386/87, Fax: (+91)+(07686) 272 385  Price: Around $90
Lalit Temple View Khajuraho, (+91)-(07686) 272 111, 272 333. 48 rooms, spa, pool, large landscape gardens. Member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Khajuraho can go by Plane, Train and Taxi/Buses

Khajuraho Airport is located 5 km from the city, and is served by Air India (fomerly Indian Airlines) offering flights from Delhi, Varanasi and Mumbai, Jet Airways offering flights from Delhi and Varanasi and Kingfisher offering flights from Varanasi. If one is not prepared for a 5-6 hours bumpy ride from Jhansi to Khajuraho, then the plane is the best mode. To search online flight ticket go Flight ticket India.