Khajuraho, the place of culmination of the Central Indian building style, is situated in the Bundelkand area, 44 km northwest of Panna in Madhya Pradesh. The temples of Khajuraho were mainly built between the 9th and 11th centuries under the active patronage of the powerful Chandela Kings, Khajuraho being one of the capitals of the Chandelas. The temples were the outcome of the religious feelings and aesthetic talent of those kings.There were 85 temples constructed between 950 and 1050 A.D., of which only 20 are now in a good state of preservation. The Khajuraho group of temples is the refined expression of the Indo-Aryan architectural genius. They stand on a lofty platform-terrace with a huge basement storey with beautifully ornamented mouldings.Over this stable base rests the Jangha or solid walls alternated with voids of the inner compartment-sanctum sanctorum, assembly hall and the entrance portico. The loftiness of the Khajuraho temples is enganced by smaller replica turrets grouped around the main tower. The exterior decoration of the temple with parallel friezes pulsates with waemth and vigour. The ceillings are supported by four heavily sculptured pillars. The temples have graceful proportion and unique surface decoration. The temples of Khajuraho belong to the Shiva, Vaishnava and Jain sects but in spite of divergent sectarian affiliation, the dominant architectural and sculptural schemes are homogeneouss.The sculptures include five types: (1) cult images (2) family deities, (3) divine nymphs, (4) erotic themes, and (5) animals. The erotic sculptures are symbolic of cosmic love. The philosophy behind it is that life's effoort is to fight decay and death, and this challenge is symbolised in the mystic union of Shiva proper initiation.

The temples of Khajuraho, are founded on granite, after removing 0.5 to 1m of overburden.The unevenness of the ground profile, characteristic of the granite terrain at Khajuraho, has been levelled by building raised platform-terraces of about 2.5 m height. by using assorted granite blocks. The Chausath-Yogini, Brahma and LalguanMahadeva temples are constructed of locally available granite which is coarse grained, hard and compact having a compressive strength of 1500kg/cm2. Weathering is confined in local pockets. Stones of large dimension up to a maximum of 90*60*30 cm have been used in the construcion. Most of the temples at Khajuraho are constructed of fine granite Vindhyan sandstone of varying shades of buff, pink and pale yellow , yellow from the quarries of Panna on the eastern bank of the Ken river. The sandstone blocks have been clamped at the exterior end. The top portion rests on columns and walls of the buildings. Excellent carvings in Vindhyan stone are still preserved.


How to Reach
Air : Khajuraho Air service is driect link with Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Kathmandu.

Train : The nearest railheads are Mahoba and Harpalpur. Jhansi is a convenient railhead for those travelling from Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai and Varanasi the railhead is Satna, on the Mumbai-Allahabad section of the Central Railway is ideal. Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Agra by train to the railheads.

Road : Khajuraho is connected by regular and direct bus services with Chhatarpur, Mahoba, Harpalpur, Satna, panna, Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra, Sagar, Jabalpur, Indore, Bhopal, Varanasi and Allahabad.