Things To Do In Khajuraho

Khajuraho in MP in the Chhatarpur region is today a UNESCO recognised town because of its temples which have been declared a World Heritage Site. Located about 175 km from Jhansi the temples in Khajuraho were built in 950-1050 AD by the Chandela dynasty. Though a total of 85 temples were built by the Chandela kings, today only around 25 temples have survived, that too thanks to the efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India. There are several places to visit and many things to do in Khajuraho as described below.

The Light and Sound Show in Khajuraho is a very well done event that is organized by the management team set up for the tourists. Your evening activity has been designed in such a way that you will be able to understand the history of the region, the facts as well as the myths behind Khajuraho temples. You will have to pay a small fee to attend this show which is performed in artificial light after dusk. When you view the temples in the backdrop in artificial light your experience will surely be memorable. The voice in the show is that of Amitabh Bachhan who will deliver the audio guide of the experts and explain valuable information about the temples and the kings who built them. The show is conducted in English and Hindi in different timings.

The Archaelogical Museum in Khajuraho is popular among tourists because of its exhibits that are very informative. Of course there are a total of three museums in the area of the Khajuraho temples and this is one of them. The other two are the Adivart Tribal and Folk Art Museum and the Dhubela Museum which exhibits artefacts that are related to the Bundela Dynasty. The Archaelogical Museum under the ASI maintains a good collection of sculptures from in and around Khajuraho near the Matangeshwar Temple of the Western Group of temples. This museum that was established in 1967 consists of 5 galleries which exhibit sculptures that are symbolic of diverse faiths such as Brahmanical, Jain and Buddhist. There are more than 3000 sculptures and the antiquities range from 9^th till the 12^th century AD.

Vishwanath Temple of Khajuraho is located among the Khajuraho monuments in the western group and is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built during the reign of Dhanga from the Chandela Dynasty in 999AD, the temple is dedicated to Shiva or the Lord of the Universe. The images that are in the basement showcase carvings of a mythical being called Virabhadra besides Ganesha and a group of seven Hindu goddesses.

Visitors to Khajuraho must visit the Sahu Shantiprasad Jain Kala Sangrhalaya, also known as Jain Museum, which is located in the Eastern Group of temples of Khajuraho. It has more than 100 Jain sculptures of the past. There are very artistic toranas and several sculptures of yakshis besides the statures of the twenty four spiritual leaders also known as Tirthankaras. There is an entry fee of Rs. 5/ and the museum is open on all days other than Sundays.

The Adinath Temple, a Jain temple, is located in Khajuraho. Dedicated to Adinath, a Jain Tirthankara, the temple has Hindu deities on its exterior walls. The temple along with all the other temples in Khajuraho, is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage. This temple is dedicated to the 11^th Century AD and most probably was constructed a little later than the Vamana Temple. This temple is classified by the ASI as a monument of national importance.

Maharaja Chhatrasal Museum, also known as Dhubela Museum, is located in the Maharaja Chhatrasal’s palace that was built by the Maharaja who lived between 1649 and 1731. Dhubela Museum was inaugurated by PM Nehru on 12 Sep 1955. Located 65 km to the north west of Khajuraho, tourists take the tour of Dhubela Museum generally while either going to Orchha or to Jhansi.

It is well known for being the largest museum in MP. The museum stores a large quantity of artefacts and antiques. The courtyard palace is close to a beautiful lake that is surrounded by hills and two large mausoleums besides other ruins. There are eight galleries, of which two are dedicated to inscriptions of the Gupta and Kalchuri period besides copper plates and Sati Pillars. There is a wide collection in the museum that includes weapons and garments as well as paintings of the kings of Bundela Dynasty.

The Beni Sagar Dam is a scenic picnic spot that is located on the border of Khajuraho. The dam is built on the Khuddar River and it is a very large structure which stretches over an area of around 7.7 sq. km. The dam is well known to be a great place for angling and boating besides of course its natural beauty and birds. It is therefore popular among both lovers of the outdoor life and nature photography.