Introduction
For the UNESCO World Heritage Site, see Khajuraho Group of Monuments. For the constituency, see Khajuraho (Lok Sabha constituency).
City in Madhya Pradesh, IndiaKhajurahoCityKhajuraho TemplesKhajurahoShow map of Madhya PradeshKhajurahoShow map of IndiaCoordinates: 24°51′00″N 79°55′30″E / 24.85000°N 79.92500°E / 24.85000; 79.92500Country IndiaStateMadhya PradeshDistrictChhatarpurElevation283 m (928 ft)Population (2011) • Total24,481Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)Vehicle registrationMP-16Sex ratio1.100 ♂/♀
Khajuraho (pronunciationⓘ) is a city, near Chhatarpur in Chhatarpur district of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, which was the early as well as religious capital of Chandel Empire of Jejakabhukti. Chandela emperors established this city and named it Kharjuravahaka, derived from the Sanskrit word kharjur, meaning "date palm". This city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India, Khajuraho has the country's largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for their erotic sculptures from the Chandela era as part of the . Khajuraho Group of Monuments has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986 and is considered one of the "seven wonders" of India.
History
[edit]
The region was historically part of many kingdoms and empires. The earliest known power to have had Khajuraho in its territory were the Vatsa. Their successors in the region included the Mauryans, Sungas, Kushans, Nagas of Padmavati, the Vakataka dynasty, the Guptas, the Pushyabhuti dynasty, and the Gurjara-Praithara dynasty. It was specifically during the Gupta period that architecture and art began to flourish in this region, although their successors continued the artistic tradition.
The Chandelas ruled the area from the ninth century, who were subject to the Gurjara-Praitharas. During the reign of Dhanga (c. 950–1002) the Chandelas became independent and many important temples were built during this time. The Chandelas were dealt with fatal blows first from the Chahamanas of Shakambhari in 1182 then from Qutb al-Din Aibak in 1202. Khajuraho declined to a small village as the Chandelas transferred their activities to the forts of Mahoba, Kalinjar, and Ajayagarh.
Ibn Battuta visited Khajuraho and described the presence of temples and a few ascetics. Some temples were damaged by Sikander Lodi in 1495. By the 16th century Khajuraho became an insignificant place and was only "rediscovered" by C. J. Franklin (a military surveyor) in 1819. However, the actual distinction of bringing Khajuraho back to the world's attention is given to T. S. Burt (a British army captain) who visited it in 1838. The next significant visitor was Alexander Cunningham between 1852 and 1855.
