This is the 2nd part of the photologue of a visit to Khajuraho. (For the first part, see http://picasaweb.google.co.in/lazyTrekker/Khajuraho#). Here, I will display some of the photos I took of the western group of temples. These temples are recognised as one of the 15 'world heritage' sites of India. The Rs. 10 entrance slip (above scanned image) shows pictures from each of the sites. On the reverse of the entrance slip, is the list of the 15 sites. Khajuraho is the 7th in the list. Location map: http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=24.8530589&lon=79.9213099&z=18&l=0&m=b
Even though I visited the temples on the afternoon of 14th December, I attended a 'son et lumiere' (sound and light show) on the night of 13th. Amitabh Bacchan narrates the main story. The photos are not clear due to large distance; they are here anyway. The left most temple is the Vishwanath Temple, the middle is the parvati temple, and
Kandariya Mahadev Temple
Lakshmana temple
Jagadambi temple (on right)?
The MP tourism organises Bundelhi folk dance every night in the tourist facilitation centre (at a distance of about 200 metres from here. location map: http://www.wikimapia.org/9700215/Tourist-Interpretation-Center.
In front of the gate, there was an interesting cafe: 'Raja Cafe' (swiss restaurant).
The illuminated signboard was enticing.
I checked the timings of ticket counter to the heritage sites. Then, I noticed a man coming out of a compound on the left. He touched and saluted the metal, grilled door of the compound and walked away. I suspected that there is a temple inside. I walked inside and found a statue (of Hanuman? I don't remember now) and a priest. I saw people moving further along the dark enclosed pathway. I moved on and came across Matangeshwar temple. As usual, the photos are blurred due to poor light.
A huge (atleast 6 feet tall) Shivling is in the sanctum sanctorum. Even though this temple belongs to the western group of temples, it is not within the boundaries of ASI (and thus requires no entry fee) as the temple is in daily use.
The next day, I visited the western group of temples after lunch. The Matangeshwar temple (left) and Lakshmana temple (right) are visible.
Kandariya Mahadev temple at the top right corner. The complex and the lawns are maintained very well by ASI.
Info plaque of the Western group of temples of Khajuraho.
Let us start with the southern tip of the enclosure. The information plaque of the 'Varaha' shrine. Location map: http://www.wikimapia.org/14859479/Varaha-shrine
The 'Varaha' (Boar - an incarnation of Lord Vishnu).
Intricate carvings on Varaha statue.
A close up of the head.
Godess Saraswati (holding 'Veena') carved on the snout of Varaha.
The Lakshmi shrine in front of Lakshmana temple. Location map: http://www.wikimapia.org/14859499/Lakshmi-shrine
Godess Lakshmi
The southernmost of the big temples: completed by Raja Lakshmana(?) hence the name 'Lakshmana' temple. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is just in front of the Lakshmi (consort of Vishnu) shrine.
The Lakshmana temple as seen from the Lakshmi shrine. The left most 'gopura' (tower) is the Matangeshwara temple.
A closer look at the Matangeshwar Temple; a night view of the temple is at http://picasaweb.google.co.in/lh/photo/DUUBOyklhf6HCaSW0fEGbA?feat=directlink
Carving on the entrance of Lakshmana temple.
Lord Vishnu.
The entrance porch has some inscription in Devanagari-like script.
A Jet airways flight flew past the temple complex.
Sculptures on Lakshmana temple.
Erotic sculptures on the outer walls of Lakshmana temple, Khajuraho.
An sculpture on the sides of the lower platform of Lakshmana temple shows a woman feeling shy at the act of a man.
Information plaque of Kandariya Mahadeva Temple.
The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple (as seen from the garden on south).
A column of Erotic sculptures on the walls of Kandariya Mahadeva Temple (as seen from the garden on south).
A close up
Information plaque of Jagadambi Temple. Location map: http://www.wikimapia.org/14859042/Jagadambi-temple
Jagadambi temple.
A lion(?) being killed by a warrior near the door of Jagadambi temple.
Sculptures of goddesses and amorous couples near the roof of Jagadambi temple.
Erotic sculptures on the wall of Jagadamba temple.
Note the scorpion on lady's dress.
Information plaque of chitragupta temple, near the north west corner of the complex.
Lord Surya (Sun god) - Chitragupta temple.
Women removing thorn from her sole.
Parvati Temple.
Note the islamic style of the leftmost doom.
Information plaque of Vishwanatha Temple.
Viswanath Temple, Khajuraho.
sculptures on the outer wall of Viswanath Temple.
Statues of Gods and erotic couples.
A couple and shy consorts.
Information on Nandi Shrine (location map: http://www.wikimapia.org/14859028/Nandi-temple)
The Nandi facing the Lord.
A view, from Nandi Temple, of restaurants across the street.
Outlines of Matangeshwar temple with a tall flag (left) and Lakshmana Temple (right) with a setting sun peeping through an opening in the portico of the Lakshmana Temple.
The Shivsagar lake (location map: http://www.wikimapia.org/8341174/Shiv-Sagar-Lake). The tip of the Gopura of the Matangeshwar temple is visible on the right.
This canara bank ATM is located at the end of the commercial buildings in front of the Shivsagar lake. This ATM accepts ATM/debit cards of about 20 banks plus SBI and its associate banks. This is in contrast to the ATMs of two (SBI and PNB) other centrally located (in front of western group of temples) bank ATMs that do NOT accept ATM cards of other banks :-(
It was time for me to leave Khajuraho to catch the evening (6:30pm) train for Jhansi (onward destination: Gwalior) that reaches Delhi (Nizamuddin station) in the morning. I was waiting for a shared auto to go to the railway station. A cycle rikshaw guy told that he would drop me at the 'Raja Yashovarman' bus stand for Rs. 10 and I will definitely get a shared taxi to go to the station. He was right. There was a taxi with one passenger, and the driver was looking for other passengers :-( After 15 minutes, this bus arrived from another town; a few more joined and the auto was full. The auto dropped me at the station on time.
