Khajuraho
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The temples were built in a span of 100 years, from 950 AD - 1050 AD. Today, of the original 85, only 22 are remaining; these remain as a collective to joy, creativity and ultimate fusion of man with his creator. The temple architecture of Khajuraho remains unique
Another speculation is that the erotica of Khajuraho had a specific purpose. In those days when boys lived in hermitages till they attained manhood, following the law of being "brahmacharis", this temple would help prepare them for the worldly role of 'householder' by studying these sculptures and the earthly passions depicted in them.
This fascinating piece of art reminds us about the life and times of the great Chandela Kings and traces the story of these unique temples from the 10th Century to the present day.
The Khajraho temple complex offers a 50-minute show in Hindi and in English every evening. Amitabh Bachchan, the Indian super star, narrates the story of Khajuraho in his mesmerizing voice
Places to See:
The temples are grouped into three geographical divisions: eastern, southern and western.
Eastern Group
Parsavanatha Temple: The largest in the group of three Jain temples, the Parsavanatha image in this temple, was installed in 1860. The sculptures on the northern wall depict everyday activity, in awesome detail. Within the temple, a throne faces the bull emblem of first tirthankara, Adinath.
Ghantai Temple: This Jain temple depicts the 16 dreams of Mahavira's mother.
Adinatha Temple: The last of the Jain temples, is dedicated to the Jain saint, Adinatha, and is gorgeously adorned with sculptures of yakshis among others.
The three Hindu temples in this group are the Brahma temple, which has a four-faced lingam, The Vamana temple with images of ravishing apsaras the Javari temple, with its ornate gateway and carvings.
Southern Group
Duladeo Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the highlights of this temple are the sensuous images of the apsaras, and other exquisite sculptures.
Chaturbhuj Temple: This temple sports a huge, elaborately carved image of Vishnu.
Western Group
The Western group is certainly the best known, because it is to this group that the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple belongs: the Kandariya Mahadev. Perfectly symmetrical, it soars to a height of 31 km.
Kandariya Mahadev: is the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple with about 900 statues devoted to Lord Shiva. The chamber preserves a lingam, while the main shrine is ornately carved and depicts various gods, goddesses, apsaras (fairies) in detail.
The entrance arch, the massive pillars and ceilings are adorned with exquisite carvings, which leave the visitor enthralled. Beyond the archway lie the six interior compartments; the portico, main hall, transept, vestibule, sanctum and ambulatory. The ceilings are particularly noteworthy and the pillars supporting them have intricately carved sculptures. The outer walls are covered with sculptures of gods and groups of lovers.
Chaunsat Yogini: The oldest temple in the group (900 A.D.), this is a solitary granite temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. Only 35 of the original 65 cells are remaining and no sculptures of Kali are remaining.
Chitragupta Temple: devoted to the sun-god, Surya, this temple faces eastwards to the rising sun. The inner sanctum boasts of an impressive image of the presiding deity. The other groups of sculptures depict the magnificence of the Chandela court-life.
Vishwanath Temple: The temples preserve a three-headed image of Lord Brahma. Lions guard the northern entrance to the structure, while elephants flank the southern flight of steps that lead up to it. The exteriors are profusely carved, with a massive, 6 ft high Nandi bull.
Lakshamana Temple: This temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, shows the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva with Goddess Lakshmi.
Matangeshwara Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has an eight feet high lingam. It is still a place of worship. An r Archaeological Museum on the south of this temple has a beautiful collection of statues and artifacts collected from the area.
Festivals of Khajraho
Khajuraho Dance Festival -To mark the true spirit of Khajuraho, a dance festival is held here in March, every year, wherein, ace artistes of various dance forms participate.
Mahashivaratri (Feb/Mar) - Devotees come in huge numbers to the Matangeshwar temple.
Places to see around Khajraho
Ranch Waterfalls - Waterfalls on the Ken River, famous for rock formations.
Ranguan Lake - the flowing together of the Ken and Simri rivers.
Panna Diamond Mines - India's only diamond mines, located at Majhgawan.
Panna National Park- It is spread over 546 sq. km along the east bank of the river Ken. Dense forest cover, rocky gorges and waterfalls make for ideal wildlife watching.
Panna - A historic town and capital of the Bundela kingdom.
Pandav Waterfall - A waterfall on river Ken.
Benisagar Lake - A dam of the Khudar River.
Rajgarh Palace - This 150 years old palace nestles at the foot of the Manjyagarh hills.
Dhubela Museum - The museum is located in an old fort.
Ajaygarh Fort - An old fort, built at a height of 688 metres.
Kalinjar Fort - The fort is located on the Vindhya range.
Panna Tiger Reserve:
Panna Tiger Reserve is located in the Vindhyas Range of Panna and Chhatarpur districts in the northern part of the Madhya Pradesh.
Panna is the twenty second Tiger Reserve of India and fifth in Madhya Pradesh. Panna National Park was created in 1981. It was declared a Project Tiger Reserve by Government of India in 1994. The National Park consists of areas from the former Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary created in 1975. This sanctuary encompasses territorial forests of the present North and South Panna Forest Division.
Bhedaghat: The glittering, soaring marble rocks on the either side of the Narmada river are reminiscent of the times gone by. The serene loveliness of sun sparkling on the marble rocks almost hundred feet high is a sight to see. Watch the magic of these rock creations.
Famous rock formations: Hanthi ka Paon (Elephant's Foot), Horns of a Cow, Deer (Miran Kunch), Monkey's Leap.
Amarkantak:
Amarkantak is an authentic off track destination, with a healthy climate and most scenic environs. It’s the grassy hills, woody backgrounds and the bewitching cascades make it a popular destination. Amarkantak narrates the tales of various dynasties, right from the Pandavas to the foreign rulers.
Internationally acclaimed as a natural heritage zone, the dense forests of Amarkantak depict a unique ecosystem with islands and far-off valleys which displays an exceedingly diverse flora and fauna.
At Amarkantak one can feel the untouched nature .The place charms its visitors with its superior hillocks, glittering brooks, sacred ponds and the dense woods.
Omkareswar:
Omkareshwar is a small island, located in Madhya Pradesh. It is a very sacred pilgrimage destination. The place has a natural formation of the religious the symbol “Om”. This island compasses two hills and is divided in such a manner that it appears like an Om. It is situated on the confluence of river Narmada and Kaveri,
Legend has it that, Lord Vindhayas had prayed to Lord Shiva, and they got the town of Omkareshwar as a present.
Ujjain:
Ujjain is situated in the central part of India. This cultural city of Madhya Pradesh is a great pilgrimage destination that draws thousands of people every year.
The picturesque city of Ujjain is considered the Greenwich of India due to the fact that the first meridian of longitude passes through it.
As legends has it, the river Shipra which flows across Ujjain is regarded to have originated from the churning of the gods and goddess. It is believed that the ocean yielded to Goddess Lakshmi; after giving away 14 gems, the nectar which came out was spilled at four places on the earth mainly at Nasik, Ujjain, Haridwar and Allahabad. Thus this river acquired the impetus of a holy river and people began to worship it.
Kumbh Mela the holiest festival of Hindus is celebrated here once in twelve years.
Pench
Pench offers a wide-range of opportunities for outdoor adventure in the heart of India. The untamed woods with lush green deep forest is a pleasure for tourists. Along with its wild life sanctuaries of Kanha and Pench reserves, there is also a rich and wide range of flora and fauna. The jungle safari adventure never ceases to exist in this land of bewilderment.
Kanha National Park is a national park and a Tiger Reserve, which comes under the districts of Mandla and Balaghat of Madhya Pradesh, India. It stretches over an area of 940 km² in both the districts. Together with a surrounding buffer zone of 1009 km² and the neighboring 110 km² Phen Sanctuary it forms the Kanha Tiger Reserve. The park has a significant population of Royal Bengal Tiger, leopards, Barasingha Indian wild dog, heavy weighted bison and the sloth bear.