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Khajuraho

Khajuraho

heritage site · Madhya Pradesh

Khajuraho is famed for its UNESCO World Heritage group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, known for their intricate and sensuous stone carvings.

State
Madhya Pradesh
Type
Heritage Site
Best season
Winter
Things to do
5+

Khajuraho is famed for its UNESCO World Heritage group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, known for their intricate and sensuous stone carvings. Built by the Chandela dynasty between 950 and 1050 CE, they are masterpieces of Indian temple art.

When to go

Best visited October to March when the weather is pleasant; summers can be hot and the monsoon wet.

Why visit

A UNESCO group of 10th-century temples world-famous for their exquisite, sensuous stone sculpture — the peak of Chandela art.

Cultural notes

The carving here has all the confidence of the Chandela era: gods, dancers, ordinary daily life, and the famous mithuna sculptures, all of it part of one medieval way of seeing the world.

How to reach

Khajuraho has its own airport with flights from Delhi and Varanasi, and a railway station; also reachable by road from Jhansi (~175 km).

Khajuraho in 2 days

See the full itinerary

2 days in Khajuraho

Take the whole plan, or add any single stop.

Western Group of TemplesDay 1

Day 1

Western Group of Temples

The finest cluster including the soaring Kandariya Mahadev temple.

Kandariya Mahadev Temple

Day 1

Kandariya Mahadev Temple

The largest temple at Khajuraho, built around 1030 and thirty-one metres high, with close to nine hundred carvings on it. Only a small fraction are erotic, which surprises most first-time visitors.

Day 1

Archaeological Museum

Archaeological Museum

Day 1

Sound & Light show

Sound & Light show

Day 2

Day 2

Eastern & Southern temple groups

Eastern & Southern temple groups

Day 2

Raneh Falls canyon

Raneh Falls canyon

Day 2

Panna National Park safari (optional)

Panna National Park safari (optional)

Khajuraho guide & itineraries

Khajuraho is perfect for

heritagecouplesculture

What & where to eat

Poha-Jalebi

Poha-Jalebi

The classic MP breakfast

Samosa

Samosa

Fried snacks

Kachori

Kachori

Fried snacks

Bundelkhandi Thali

Bundelkhandi Thali

Local MP vegetarian meals

Dal Bafla

Dal Bafla

Wheat balls with dal and ghee

Mawa sweets

Mawa sweets

Milk-based desserts

Nearby getaways

Panna National Park

~1 hr

Raneh Falls

~30 min

Orchha

Orchha

~4 hrs

Things to do

How to spend your time in Khajuraho.

Eastern & Southern groups

Eastern & Southern groups

Jain temples and quieter clusters

Hidden gems

Raneh Falls & Panna day trip

Raneh Falls & Panna day trip

Canyon falls and Panna tiger reserve

Popular attractions

The places in Khajuraho most people come for.

Kandariya Mahadev Temple

Kandariya Mahadev Temple

Attraction

Lakshmana Temple

Lakshmana Temple

Attraction

Light & Sound Show

Light & Sound Show

Experience

Parshvanatha Temple

Parshvanatha Temple

Attraction

See all attractions

Frequently asked questions

Why is Khajuraho famous?

A UNESCO group of 10th-12th century temples renowned for their intricate and sensuous sculpture.

How many days for Khajuraho?

1-2 days for the temples; add Panna tiger reserve or Raneh Falls to extend.

Been to Khajuraho?

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