Travel the world: The Khajuraho Temples

Khajuraho, situated in the Chattarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, is renowned for its splendid temples and intricate sculptures. This ancient city is steeped in captivating historical narratives and architectural splendors. Khajuraho, also known as Kharjuravāhaka in ancient Sanskrit, derives its name from the combination of two words: “kharjura,” meaning date palm, and “vāhaka,” meaning “one who carries” or bearer.  According to local legends, the temples were said to have been adorned with two golden date palm trees serving as their gates, which were unfortunately missing when the temples were rediscovered. It is a representation of experience, space, and time.

Constructed during the golden era of the Chandela dynasty between AD 900 and 1130, the UNESCO-designated ‘Khajuraho Group of Monuments’ is renowned for its Nagara-style architecture and elegant sculptures portraying nayikas (Hindu mythological female protagonists) and deities. The Khajuraho Temples stand as a testament to the artistic legacy of the Chandella rulers.

It is presumed that each Chandella ruler contributed to this architectural marvel, with Maharaja Rao Vidyadhara being a notable figure. Situated at the heart of Central India in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is regarded as the religious capital of the Chandellas. Initially comprising 85 temples, they stand as the most extensive assembly of Hindu and Jain temples globally, though only around 25 endure to this day. Acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these temples have consistently mesmerized generations with their architectural excellence, elaborate carvings, and notably, their renowned erotic sculptures.

Undoubtedly, the temples of Khajuraho leave an indelible mark with their erotic art, yet it is surprising to note that these sculptures constitute only 10% of the entire artwork adorning the temple walls. Depicting sexual pleasure as an art form, the erotic sculptures intricately explore various themes and human expressions, portraying men and women in intimate lovemaking and diverse sexual positions. What stands out most is the acceptance of sexual desire as an integral aspect of human life within the Hindu tradition.

The temple walls are adorned with images of Goddesses and Gods, representing the diverse manifestations of the divine Shakti and Shiva—the embodiment of female and male principles. While these temples are often recognized for their erotic art, particularly the western Devi Jagdambi Temple situated adjacent to the Kandariya Mahadeva temple, it is important to note that the Devi Jagdambi temple is erroneously associated with Devi Jagdambi and is, in fact, a Vishnu temple. The temple features rows of sculptures depicting devanganas, mithunas, deities, and explicit erotic scenes, especially those portraying mithunas in various sexual positions. It is due to these erotic sculptures that these temples are also commonly referred to as the Kama Sutra temples.

Secular Sculptures Depicting Ancient Human Life on Khajuraho Temples Beyond the erotic art, the temples of Khajuraho portray various facets of human existence from birth to death. The diverse sculptures on the temple walls encompass daily life activities of women, scenes of economic life depicting hunting and construction, social and cultural life with depictions of dancers and musicians, and religious life through representations of gods and goddesses. Nature is also embraced through carvings of floral prints, statues of animals, and mythical creatures.

The carvings adorning the temples primarily depict Hindu deities and mythology, aligning with the architectural style that follows Hindu traditions. This alignment can be affirmed through several factors. Notably, a key aspect of Hindu temple construction is ensuring that the temple’s face is oriented towards the direction of sunrise. In adherence to this principle, all the temples in Khajuraho have been meticulously. The artwork on the Khajuraho temples symbolically underscores the four goals and essential pursuits of human life according to Hinduism:

1. Dharma (righteousness) – represented by the duties of humans in their daily life.
2. Kama (desire) – portrayed through erotic sculptures and the pursuit of sensual fulfillment in human life.
3. Artha (purpose) – depicted by economic activities aimed at making a living.
4. Moksha (liberation) – symbolized by the deity within the temple. Only after progressing through the stages of dharma, kama, and artha, and leaving them behind, is a human eligible for attaining self-realization or moksha. The temple, symbolically representing dharma, kama, and artha on the outer walls, allows entry into the inner sanctum for worship only after a circular walk around the temple.

The prevalence of the erotic theme in the temple carvings surpasses even the imperial motifs. The intricacy of the carvings, where solitary Image s outnumber couples and females outnumber males, coupled with the sensuousness of certain postures, irresistibly captures the viewer’s attention. The consensus attributes the sexually explicit sculptures to forms of Tantrism prevalent among the Chandellas, a viewpoint with which I concur.

At a minimum, it immerses visitors in a realm of delight characterized by fullness, physicality, and procreation, reminiscent of experiences often confined to fantasies or dreams. Certainly, one must exercise caution in interpreting these symbolic meanings. The challenge, as always, lies in discerning how far one can delve into these interpretations. Do the sculpted Image s convey consent, or do they ever suggest the notion of refusal?

Khajuraho’s temples, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are a captivating blend of divine symbolism and sensual artistry. Beyond the renowned erotic sculptures, these ancient monuments unfold a comprehensive narrative of human life—from daily activities to religious pursuits.The temples, constructed during the Chandella dynasty’s golden era, embody Hindu traditions through their architecture and align with the principles of Dharma, Kama, Artha, and Moksha. The prevalent erotic themes, often associated with Tantrism, invite visitors into a realm that explores the delicate balance between delight, physicality, and procreation—raising questions about the nuanced interpretations of consent and desire.

Khajuraho’s legacy endures, inviting contemplation on the intricate dance between the sacred and the profane. As one explores the stone narratives, Khajuraho emerges not just as a historical site but as a profound reflection on the timeless interplay of spirituality and human experience.

References :

Alles, G.D. (1993) ‘A fitting approach to god: On entering the western temples at Khajurāho’, History of Religions, 33(2), pp. 161–186. doi:10.1086/463362.

Centre, U.W.H. (no date) Khajuraho Group of Monuments, UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/240/ (Accessed: 09 December 2023).

Davda, M. (no date) Khajuraho temples: Sacred Union of the divine, RavenousLegs. Available at: https://www.ravenouslegs.com/blog/khajuraho-temples-symbolism-of-sacred-union-of-the-divine-feminine-energy-masculine-consciousness (Accessed: 09 December 2023).

Graceful Khajuraho (no date) Khajuraho Group of Monuments | UNESCO World Heritage Site | MP Tourism. Available at: https://www.mptourism.com/destination-khajuraho.php (Accessed: 09 December 2023).

Khajuraho (no date) Khajuraho | District Chhatarpur, Government of Madhya Pradesh | India. Available at: https://chhatarpur.nic.in/en/tourist-place/khajuraho/ (Accessed: 09 December 2023).

Openspaceartforumindia and Openspaceartforumindia (2014) A catalogue of desire: The Erotic sculptures of the khajuraho temples by Eleanor Cunningham, open space art forum india. Available at: https://openspaceartforumindia.wordpress.com/2014/07/01/a-catalogue-of-desire-the-erotic-sculptures-of-the-khajuraho-temples-by-eleanor-cunningham/ (Accessed: 09 December 2023).

Temples of khajuraho (no date) INDIAN CULTURE. Available at: https://indianculture.gov.in/stories/temples-khajuraho (Accessed: 09 December 2023).