Khajuraho Travel Guide: Khajuraho is one of the most touristic places in India, as much as the Taj Mahal in Agra or the Kerala Backwaters in the south of India, so in this Khajuraho Travel Guide we explain what to see and what to do in Khajuraho to make the most of your visit.
Why is it so popular? Why does the famous & every guide book recommend it?
The main reason is to see for yourself the famous Kamasutra temples that were built in Khajuraho and that have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.
But before telling you everything you have to see in Khajuraho, let’s go step by step.
Let’s see how to get to Khajuraho, by Khajuraho Travel Guide, a city in India with about 40,000 inhabitants, but which has become very famous thanks to its erotic temples.
It is located in the north of Madhya Pradesh and is a bit isolated from the big cities of India. Although it is not as crowded as other cities, it receives a large flow of tourists willing to see the erotic temples, although it is not massive either.
Let’s see the alternatives we have to get to Khajuraho from other major cities in India:
Plane: It is, without a doubt, the most comfortable and fastest method, but also the most expensive. There are several companies that offer the Delhi-Khajuraho-Agra-Benares or Bombay-Delhi-Benares-Khajuraho route.
They are probably full of organized tours, so it is best to book in advance. Indian Airlines, SpiceJet & Indigo are two good options.
Bus: It is the best mode of transport in India for long distances. It’s best to go slowly. It’s quite cheap and picturesque.
It takes about 7 hours from Jhansi. There is also a night bus to Varanasi, which takes a whopping 10 hours.
Train: There are quite a few train connections to Khajuraho. You can take the train connection to the Jhansi-Vanaras line.
Taxi: This is also an expensive option, although in India there is the alternative of taking a shared taxi. In theory, prices to other cities are fixed, although in India it is always advisable to negotiate. Satna, Varanasi, Agra, Orcha or Jhansi are the closest cities.
We already know how to get to Khajuraho, it’s worth taking a short detour to visit this town in the north of Madhya Pradesh in India.
When is the best time to visit Khajuraho Travel Guide?
Khajuraho has a very hot climate in summer and very cold winters at night and early morning, although during the day it can be very pleasant.
The best time to visit Khajuraho is from September to March.
Where to stay in Khajuraho info by Khajuraho Travel Guide?
Being one of the most touristic cities in India, the accommodation offer is abundant and at all prices, we can even say that it is one of the cheapest we have seen in all of India.
Here all kinds of hotels, resort & homestay, all these depend on your budget.
- Homestay in Khajuraho: Moustache Khajuraho
- Budget Hotel: Hotel Haromony Khajuraho
- Luxury Hotel: The LaLit Temple View Khajuraho.
What to see in Khajuraho?
Khajuraho is a small town in Madhya Pradesh in central India and has a population of about 40,000 inhabitants. It is known for its Hindu and Jain temples, which were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986. Several of these temples in Khajuraho contain erotic sculptures that were built between 950 and 1050 by the Chandela dynasty. Apart from erotic figures, we can find representations of royalty, armies, wrestling, war, dance, spiritual teachings, gods, plants or animals.
In the temples of Khajuraho all the Kama Sutra positions were sculpted in more than 85 temples, of which only 22 are preserved today. The temples are divided into three zones: west, east and south. If you are wondering what to see in Khajuraho, keep in mind that a visit to its temples is absolutely essential.
So, let’s get down to business! We explain what to visit in Khajuraho to see the most famous temples in each zone.
Temples in the Western Zone
The entrance to the compound is walled and has 8 access gates. Within the compound you can find the following temples of Khajuraho:
- Varaha Temple: it represents the god Varaha in the form of an animal. There you can see a statue of a boar in the centre with the Sheshnag lying underneath.
- Lakhmana Temple: a temple dedicated to Vishnu, the god of goodness. It is one of the best and oldest temples in the western zone. It is named after the ruler who ordered its construction.
- Matangesvara Temple: a temple dedicated to Shiva, with a huge lingam – a representation of Shiva often present in Hindu temples – of eight metres adorning the temple. This temple is still a place of worship.
- Nandi Temple: a temple dedicated to Shiva’s bull. In the temple you will see a sculpture of Shiva riding the bull, using it as a means of transport.
- Visvanatha Temple: a temple also dedicated to Shiva. It is decorated with flowers and within the enclosure there are several sculptures in very good condition of preservation.
- Chitragupta Temple: temple dedicated to Surya, god of the sun. On the walls there are hunting scenes, love scenes and other scenes of the daily life of the Chandela.
- Devi Jagadambi Temple: temple dedicated to the goddess Kali. On the walls there are scenes of the daily life of women. This is a small temple where you can see some of the most erotic sculptures in the area.
- Kandariya Mahadev Temple: this temple is one of the greatest masterpieces of Indian art. It is the largest temple and is decorated in depth, as it has more than 872 different statues.
- Chaunsat Yogini: The only granite temple in the Khajuraho group.
Practical information:
Price: there is an entrance fee of approximately €3 for Indians and approximately €8 for foreigners to see the temples in the western area.
Hours: open from dawn and closes at dusk.
Temples in the Eastern Zone
- Parsvanatha Temple: It has various sculptures and is the largest of the group. The sculptures on the northern outer wall and the roofs are impressive, representing a mixture of Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim influences.
- Adinath Temple: Temple dedicated to the Jain god Tirthankar, adorned with sculptures.
- Ghantai Temple: This ruined temple represents 16 dreams of Mahavira’s mother. It is dedicated to Rishabhanatha, who is considered the first spiritual leader of dharma.
- Brahma Temple: Temple dedicated to Vishnu. It is one of the oldest and is built in granite and sandstone.
- Vamana Temple: Temple dedicated to Vishnu. Located in a secluded place and known for its simple architecture.
Temples in the Southern Zone
- Dulhadev Temple: Dedicated to a Shivalingam. It has very striking figures and sculptures.
- Beejamandal Temple: It is in ruins, near the Chattarbhuj Temple.
- Chattarbhuj or Jatkari Temple: Built in 1100 AD, known for its architecture and for not having erotic sculptures.
Practical information:
Transportation is required to reach the southern and eastern temples, as they are scattered around the city.
Price: the visit to these temples is free
Audio Khajuraho Travel Guide rental is available. Rental price: approximately €1.5.
*The prices indicated are to be paid in local currency.
**Prices updated as of June 2023.
What to do in Khajuraho
Beyond the atraction of its temples and everything there is to see in Khajuraho, if you are wondering what to do in Khajuraho and its surroundings, we suggest some activities to complete your visit. These are some of the experiences and other places of interest in Khajuraho that we recommend you experience first-hand.
Visit the Khajuraho Archaeological Museum
A visit to the Khajuraho Archaeological Museum will give you an overview of the temples and their history. This way you can delve deeper into the architectural and cultural wealth of the city. The museum is near the Matageshwar temple and is open from 8am to 5pm.
Yoga Practice
In the city of Khajuraho itself you can practice Hatha Yoga classes. The practice of yoga is very common there, so practicing it will allow you to delve into this discipline and feel like a local. In Khajuraho you will find several centers that offer classes.
Visit the Annual Khajuraho Dance Festival
This festival is held from February to March and is an important cultural event in the area. Apart from the recreational aspect, this festival also serves to promote the traditions of the area.
Disconnect at the Raneh Falls
After a visit to the many temples of Khajuraho, you may want to visit something different to disconnect from the world and lose yourself in nature. We recommend a visit to the Raneh Falls (Raneh Falls Canyon). They are located a few kilometers from Khajuraho, within a national park. It is an area of ​​volcanic rock and you can see different levels of rock with waterfalls. During the rainy season the water level is high and that is when you see it best. Normally you go by jeep and along the way you pass through small villages and see a little more of the rural life of the area. As it is a national park, you can also see different types of animals along the way (water buffalo, monkeys…). It is an excursion especially recommended for nature lovers.
Volunteering
You can visit the Vidyamandir school, help and advise on changes to improve the future of the children or help take care of the environment and sculptures in the city of Khajuraho.
Would you like to travel to India and visit Khajuraho? Don’t miss our itineraries, some of which pass through Khajuraho, in India. And if you have any further questions about what to see or what to do in Khajuraho, don’t hesitate to ask us!
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