Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh

Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Khajuraho

Kandariya Mahadev Temple : This is without any doubt the largest and most magnificent temple in Khajuraho. The elegant proportions of this building and its sculptural detailing are the most refined examples of this artistice heritage of central India. 

Kandariya Mahadev shares its high platform with the small Mahadev shrine and the medium - sized Devi jagdambi Temple, thereby accentuating its height and grandeur. As far as we know, after the Kandariya Mahaddev temple, the artist of khajuraho never again attempted to build a strcuture so high or ornate. The temple measures about 30 metres in lenght and 20 m width. The temple shikhara rises 35.3 metres in length.
The temple shikhara rises 35.3 Detres above the ground. from the east side it looks like a huge mountain of stone with a dark cave-like opening set high above the ground. The temple measures about 30 metres in length and cave-like opening Set high above the ground. The name Kandaya Mahadev refers also to Shiva, the ascetic who dwells in a mountain cave, lost in meditation. In profile the pyramidal porch, mandap roofs and conical shikhara looks like a range of mountain staraining upwards till it meets the sky, or shiva. The shikhara of the kandariya Mahadev Temples is borad at the base and in graceful curve grow narrower as it reaches the pinnacle. It is built up of over righty replica shikharas that appear to be clambering up the central tower, giving it bothe force and momnetum on its skyward journey towards divinity. 

History of Khajuraho Temples

Khajuraho Temples History : Madhya Pradesh is land of great antiquity. Madhya Pradesh is the home of monuments representative of various periods of history. Among most popular world heritage sites of Central India like Rock paintings, Buddhist Stupas and Temples, Khajuraho is known for its ornate temples that are spectacular piece of human imagination, artistic creativity, magnificent architectural work and deriving spiritual peace through eroticism. 

Khajuraho Temples are among the most beautiful medieval monuments in the country. These temples were built by the Chandella ruler between AD 900 and 1130. It was the golden period of Chandella rulers. It is presumed that it was every Chandella ruler has built atleast one temple in his lifetime. So all Khajuraho Temples are not constructed by any single Chandella ruler but Temple building was a tradition of Chandella rulers and followed by almost all rulers of Chandella dynasty. 
The first recorded mention of the Khajuraho temples is in the accounts of Abu Rihan al Biruni in AD 1022 and the Arab traveler Ibn Battuta in AD 1335. Local tradition lists 85 temples in Khajuraho out of which only 25 temples are surviving after various stages of preservation and care. All these temples are scattered over an area of about 9 square miles. 

Khajuraho is believed to be the religious capital of Chandellas. Chandella rulers had tried to discriminate politics from religious & cultural activities, so they established their political capital in Mahoba which is about 60km. away from Khajuraho and religious/cultural capital in Khajuraho. Whole Khajuraho was enclosed by a wall with about 8 gates used for entry/exit. It is believed that each gate is flanked by two date/palm trees. Due to these date trees present Khajuraho get its name Khajura-vahika. In hindi language, “Khajura” means ‘Date’ and “Vahika” means ‘Bearing’. In history Khajuraho is also described with the name of Jejakbhukti.
After fall of Chandella dynasty (after AD 1150), Khajuraho Temples suffered destruction & disfigurement by muslim invaders in this area which forced local people to leave Khajuraho. As muslim invaders had a ruling policy of intolerance for worship places of other religions so all the citizens of Khajuraho left the town with a hope that its solitude will not attract attention of muslim invaders into the temple area and in this way both temple and they themselves will remain unhurt. So from about 13th century to 18th century, Khajuraho temples remain in forest cover, away from popularity till it was re-discovered by British engineer T. S. Burt

Khajuraho Dance Festival in Madhya Pradesh

When : 1st - 7th February 2012

Where : Khajuraho, India

Organized by : Madhya Pradesh Kala Parishad.

Venue : Chitragupta Temple and Vishwanatha Temple, Khajuraho.

Location : Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Khajuraho Dance Festival is organised every year in the last week of of February till march , the dates of khajuraho dance festival for the year 2014 is from 21st February 2012 till 26th of February 2014. The best classical dancers from all across india give their performances in the open air corridors of the Khajuraho group of temples. Here you can enjoy the popular dances of India such as Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri and many more. The Tourism board of Madhya Pradesh is organising and promoting the Indian Heritage Khajuraho as well as the dances of India , and provides platform to the young dancers to show their talent infront of the visitors from all around the globe. It is important cultural event that fascinates aficionados of traditional asian performing art. The dance festival is being orgainised infront of chitragupt and vishwanath temples, located in the western group of temple complex. 

Dancers from abroad give their performance during this week long dance festival. The Khajuraho dance festival is internationally recognized by International dancers and acedemies. A large number of visitors come to see the popular dances of India in this festival. Khajuraho dance festival in Madhya Pradesh celebrates the beauty of human emotions and religious philosphy of hindu religon. 

Along with this dance festival, art & craft work is also displayed by the local villages. The western group of temples act as the equisite backdrop for the khajuraho dance festival performers. 

How to reach Khajuraho

By Car : Khajuraho city is very well connected by Jhansi, Orchha, Satna, Katni, Bandhavgarh, Chattarpur etc. Usually tourists arrive at Jhansi Railway Station by train and take taxi car to travel to Khajuraho, via Orchha or directly. From Jhansi, Khajuraho is just 200kms.04:00hrs. Similarly those who are arriving at Satna railway station can hire taxi from here to reach Khajuraho by road. Similarly those who want to reach Khajuraho from Bandhavgarh, they can travel by road via Katni-Pawai-Amanganj-Panna of 240km/05:00hrs. 

By Train : Most important railway station for Khajuraho is Khajuraho Railway Station which is just 5km from Khajuraho Town. Their is direct train for Khajuraho Railway Station (UP Sampark Kranti Express) for Khajuraho. It is the only train, at present from New Delhi to Khajuraho. 
Similarly those who wish to travel Khajuraho from Varanasi can now travel by Bundelkhand Link Express Train (1108A) which connects Khajuraho - Varanasi. Both are very much proposed in most of the proposed tour itineraries so with the introduction of this train, one can now travel more comfortably at low fare. 
Those who are coming from Mumbai/Kolkata can reach Satna Railway Station to travel Khajuraho at a distance of 130kms/02:30hrs. 
If you visit Khajuraho from Jaipur than DAYODAYA EXPRESS (2182) will be the most suitable train to reach Katni and then by taxi reach Khajuraho. Distance from Katni to Khajuraho is 180kms/04:00hrs. 
Those who wish to travel Khajuraho from Agra, can take any train for Jhansi Railway Station and then drive through Taxi via-Orchha/directly to Khajuraho. 

By Air : Khajuraho is having a domestic airport known as City Airport Khajuraho. It is located at 2 Km south of Khajuraho town. At present (as on 05/05/2010) flights from Delhi & Varanasi are operating for Khajuraho. Arrival/Departure are usually take place in afternoon for these two destinations. Work is going on to enhance the capabilities of Khajuraho Airport. 

Khajuraho Location

Khajuraho Village Location : Khajuraho is a small village known for its world famous erotic sculpture temples in all over the world. It is being located in the Indian state of madhya pradesh in central India, it comes under the chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. 

The beautiful little village of Khajuraho lies in the central state of Madhya Pradesh in chattarpur district. Madhya Pradesh is the largest Indian state. the vindhyan range runs through Madhya Pradesh. The rock bed of chattarpur where khajuraho is located, is of fine bundelkhand gneiss, and believed to be the oldest rock in India. 

Best Time To Visit Khajuraho

When to Go : Khajuraho is a small village in central India. From the village one can see the outcrops of the vindhyan range. The best time to visit khajuraho is during the months of October to march when the average temperature is between 90° and 40° Fahrenheit. 

How to Plan Khajuraho Sightseeing : 
In Khajuraho

Western Group of Temples	Atleast Two Hours
Eastern Group of Temples	Atleast an Hour
Chaturbhuj Temples	Half an hour (During the sunset )
Site Museum	Half an Hour