February
4-6, 2014
Khajuraho,
India
Another
flight this morning and we arrived in Khajuraho, a small village in
Madhya Pradesh in the heart of central India. The temple complex we
explored here is, after the Taj Mahal, the most frequently visited
monument in India; its Indo-Aryan architecture and very detailed,
exquisite sculpture are known all over the world. The temples, built
between the 9th and 11th centuries by warrior
kings of the Chandela dynasty, were originally 85 in number, but,
today, sadly, only 25 remain and these are in varying stages of
decay/preservation.
The
Khajuraho temples reflect both religious belief and raw sensuality as
described in the Kamasutra; a “juxtaposition” of religion and
sex. The reason why erotic and somewhat obscene figures were carved
in a place of worship has been a source of interest as well as
controversy. Were they carved to test the dedication and
concentration of the devotees who came to worship or were they simply
reflective of the ecstasy, beauty, and truth of life? Whatever the
reasons, the temples and the sculptures decorating them are remarkable
for their detail, beauty, quantity, and the sheer grandeur of the
site.
A Bride and Groom come to pray
A Group of Visitors
The Sweetest Visitor of All
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