Khajuraho Travel

The Khajuraho temples were built during the reign of the Chandelas. While some show marks of a Shaivite sensibility, others clearly manifest the influence of Vaishnaism, Jainism, and tantrism. These temples have an architectural character distinct from that of any other group of temples elsewhere in the country. Instead of being contained within the customary enclosure wall, each temple stands on a high and solid masonry terrace. Though none of the temples are very large, they are still imposing structures because of their elegant proportions and rich surface sculpture.

Legend has it that one sultry summer night, Hemvati, the widowed daughter of a minister of the King of Benaras, was bathing in the lake when the Moon God Chandrama saw here and was entranced by her beauty. The son born out of their union was Chandravarman who grew up to found the Chandela dynasty.

In order to atone for his mother's lapse, he raised temples that celebrated the union of Purush and Prakriti, man and nature, as the source of all life and creation. Chandela Rajputs rose to power during the early 10th century AD in the land known as Jajhauti, now Bundelkhand. From being local feudatories of the Partiharas of Kannauj, they rose to become a major power in northern India. They were great patrons of the arts and equally great builders.

From 12th century onward, the other rival power of central India and Muslim invaders like Mahmud Ghazni whom the Chandelas had kept at bay, began reasserting themselves. Al-Biruni, the chronicler of Mahmud Ghazni, mentions Jajhauti with 'Kajuraha' as its capital.