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Khajuraho Temples, Madhya Pradesh |
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In an inspired burst of creativity during the early Tenth Century, a profusion of temples were erected under the generous patronage of the Chandella Rajput kings right in the heart of central India. Eventually passing through all the tear and wear of time only 22 of them have survived to present the most unique genre of 'temple architecture' in the form of 'the temples of Khajuraho'. Striking a perfect balance of art and architecture, these temples tend to evoke love in the most sublime and spontaneous way with a riot of exotic and erotic sculptures nowhere to be seen.
The exquisitely carved divine sculptures of these temples not only testify to the incredible skills of craftsmanship but also describe about a civilization more matured in mastering earthly desires with a belief that the gratification of which will apparently led them towards the infinite. Following the Hindu law of being 'Bramacharis', it is also said that the sheer eroticism trapped on the surface of these temples were intended to educate and prepare the young boys of those days, who lived in hermitages before attaining adulthood, for the worldly role of 'Householder'. Whatever may be the reason behind, but the presence of such reveling and passionate art around the sanctity of the divine only suggests a liberal and enlightened attitudes of the pre-modern Indian culture whose roots lies in the ancient Indian manual of love-making the Kama Sutra.
Such is the delight the temples of Khajuraho exude that it is impossible to decide which to approach first. Towards the western end of the region some of the largest and most typical Khajuraho temples are located. Some important attractions on this end include the Kandariya Mahadeo Temple, the Chaunsat Yogini dedicated to Goddess Kali (Goddess of Power), Chitragupta Temple and the Vishwanath Temple in dedication of the Lord Bramha.
Towards the eastern end the Parsavanatha Temple, the largest of the Jain Temples offers some stunning sculptural representations of everyday life in the most skillful detail. The other two Jain temples in this group are the Ghantai Temple and Adinatha Temple. To the Southern end the Duladeo Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with exquisite carvings of sensuous images and Chaturbhuj Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu with splendid images of Vishnu forms the major attractions.
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