Travel to Khajuraho

Khajuraho, the temple city of central India, is famous throughout the world for its exquisitely carved temples in stones. Thousands of visitors and tourists from all over the world flock together to envisage this immortal saga of Hindu art and culture engraved in stone by shilpies (stone craftsmen) a millenia ago.

Today, apart from the temples, Khajuraho is a small village but a thousand years ago it was a large city of the Chandelas, medieval Rajput kings who ruled over Central India. Khajuraho is 595 km (370 miles) south-east of Delhi and can be visited by air, rail or road. An overnight train journey from Delhi takes the visitor to Jhansi, from where another morning train takes him to Harpalpur 85 km (53 miles) to the east.

According to the account of the medieval court poet, Chandbardai, in the Mahoba-khand of his Prithviraj Raso, Hemvati was the beautiful daughter of Hemraj, the royal priest of Kashi (Varanasi). One summer night, while she was bathing in the sparkling waters of a lotus-filled pond, the Moon god was so awestruck by her beauty that he descended to earth in human form and ravished her. The distressed Hemvati, who was unfortunately a child widow, threatened to curse the god for ruining her life and reputation. To make amends for his folly the Moon god promised that she would become the mother of a valiant son.

'Take him to Khajjurpura', he is believed to have said. 'He will be a great king and build numerous temples surrounded by lakes and gardens. He will also perform a yagya (religious ceremony) through which your sin will be washed away.' Following his instructions, Hemvati left her home to give birth to her son in a tiny village. The child, Chandravarman, was as lustrous as his father, brave and strong. By the time he was 16 years old he could kill tigers or lions with his bare hands. Delighted by his feats, Hemvati invoked the Moon god, who presented their son with a touchstone which could turn iron into gold, and installed him as king at Khajuraho.
 

How to Reach Khajuraho

Varanasi is easily accessible from all parts of the country. Very well connected by road, rail and air, the City of. offers convenient and comfortable travelling options to and from other cities of India.

Travel to Khajuraho by Air

Khajuraho Air service is driect link with Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Kathmandu.

Travel to Khajuraho by Rail

The nearest railheads are Mahoba and Harpalpur. Jhansi is a convenient railhead for those travelling from Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai and Varanasi the railhead is Satna, on the Mumbai-Allahabad section of the Central Railway is ideal. Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Agra by train to the railheads.
 

Travel to Khajuraho by Road

Khajuraho is connected by regular and direct bus services with Chhatarpur, Mahoba, Harpalpur, Satna, panna, Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra, Sagar, Jabalpur, Indore, Bhopal, Varanasi and Allahabad.
 

Places of Interest in Khajuraho

State Museum of Tribal & Folk Arts
A fine collection of masterpieces of tribal and folk art and artifacts from all over Madhya Pradesh is on display at the Chandela Cultural Complex. The tradition of tribal and folk arts and crafts has evolved over centuries. It represents the best of Indian culture and tradition and its synthesis with foreign cultures that came through trade and invasions.

The State Museum has more than 500 representative items of terracotta, metal craft, woodcraft, tribal and folk paintings, tattoos, jewellery and masks.

Timings:
The Museum is open on all days except Mondays and Government Holidays. From 12 Noon to 8 P.M.


Khajuraho Temples
The architectural style of the Khajuraho temples is very different from the temple prototype of that period. Each stands, instead of within the customary enclosure, on a high masonry platform. Combined with the upward direction of the structure, which is further accentuated by vertical projections, the total effect is one of grace and lightness, reminiscent of the Himalayan peaks. Each of the chief compartments has its own roof, grouped in such a way that the highest is in the centre, the lowest over the portico, a triumph of skill and imagination in recreating the rising peaks of a range.

Excursions in Khajuraho

Orcha
165 kms. Eight km off the Khajuraho- Jhansi highway (19 km from Jhansi), this is a medieval city flanked by the Betwa River. The 16th & 17th century palaces and temples here have withstood the ravages of time. Paintings and mirrorwork, intricate stairways and delicate trellis work in Jehangir Mahal, Raj Mahal and Rai Praveen Mahal are enchanting.

Panna National Park
Complementing the man made perfection of the Khajuraho temples, is the dramatic scenic splendour of Panna National Park, 32 km away.

Ken Nature Trail
Ken Nature Trail ( 22 km ), within a walking distance from Raneh falls, is a jungle track exhibiting natural beauty and imparts a knowledge of the surroundings.

Ken Gharial Sanctuary
(24 kms), is at the confluence of the Ken and Khudar rivers further down Raneh Falls and Nature Trail. This is a natural of the long snouted variety of crocodiles.

Banisagar Lake
Banisagar lake is situated 11 kms away from Khajuraho. It is a picnic spot and a dam on Khudar river with a waterspread of 7.7 sq. km. Suitable for Boating & Angling.

Ranguan Lake
Ranguan lake is 25 kms from Khajuraho. It is an ideal picnic spot suitable for boating and angling.

Gangau Dam
Gangau dam is at a distance of 34 kms from Khajuraho, a natural dam at the confluence of the Ken and Simri rivers, ideal for nature-lovers, anglers and the adventure minded. The dam is surrounded by the Panna National Park & Gangau Sanctuary.

Pandav Falls
It is at 34 kms from Khajuraho, a picturesque waterfall in a bowl shaped valley on the ken river. The Pandavas are said to have spent a part of their exile here.

Majhganwa Diamond Mines, Panna
56 kms from Khajuraho, are the only diamond mines of Asia. Open from 9 am to 1 pm. Sunday Closed.

Panna
48 kms from Khajuraho. Historic town and capital of Chhatrasal, a national warrior and founder of Bundella Kingdom, Panna is also known for the temples of Baldevji, Kishorji, Govindji, Prannathji, Jagannath Swami and Ram.

Dhubela Museum
57 km. Located on the bank of a lake, the museum houses a wide variety of Shakti Cult sculptures. There are different sections on garments, weapons and paintings.

Ajaygarh Fort
80 kms from Khajuraho, is at a height of 688 meters above sea level and was capital of the Chandelas during their decline.

Nachna
40 km from Panna, Nachna was a famous city of the Nagvakataka and Gupta empire. It is known for the Chaturmukha Mahadev temple named after the colossal four faced lingam which is still enshrined inside.

Kalinjar Fort
Kalinjar (Kalanjar), a historical fort situated in Banda district (Uttar Pradesh) , is one of the most precious gift of India to the World hertige.