Khajuraho Group of Monuments
Khajuraho Temples are the most graphic, erotic and sensuous sculptures of India, located in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. The Khajuraho group of monuments has been listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s true that Khajuraho has not received the attention it deserves for its significant contribution to the religious art of India. There are literally hundreds of exquisite images on the interior and exterior walls of the shrines.
The temples at Khajuraho were built during the Chandella dynasty, which reached its apogee between 950 and 1050. There were originally over 80 Hindu temples, of which only about 20 temples remain; they fall into three distinct groups and belong to two different religions – Hinduism and Jainism. They strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. The Temple of Kandariya is decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art.
Architecturally these temples are unique and have sculptures that look very realistic. While each temple in Khajuraho has a distinct plan and design, several features are common to all. They are all built on high platforms, several metres off the ground, either in granite or a combination of light sandstone and granite. Each of these temples has an entrance hall or mandapa, and a sanctum sanctorum or garbha griha. The roofs of these various sections have a distinct form. The porch and hall have pyramidal roofs made of several horizontal layers. The inner sanctum's roof is a conical tower - a colossal pile of stone (often 30m high) made of an arrangement of miniature towers called shikharas.
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