by admin | July 26th, 2008
My first encounter with Kajuraho India was in 1974. While participating in an summer educational tour sponsored by Grambling College of Lousiana, one of the first few stops on our trip took us to Khajuraho. We had already had a meeting with Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India; visited the famous Taj Majal in Agra, India; and visited the “pink city” of Jaipur.
Yet, the beauty of these 10th to 12th century AD temples in the Indian State of Madhya Pradesh left us in awe. Intricately carved statues completely covered the exterior walls of these temples with scenes of everyday life from that historical period.
But, it was not the everyday life scenes that had made Khajuraho famous. It was the detailed erotica in the form of detailed sexual positions, many reminiscent of the drawings of sexual details in the kama sutra literature. Scenes of multiple individuals participating in sexual acts together and even with animals made of these temples an unforgettable, memorable experience. During this period of India’s history, it was believed that sexual acts were not something to be hidden but were natural, and should be seen as acts of harmony and joy.
The multiple temple groups belonged to two religious groups, Hinduism and Jainism. Of the original 80+ temples, only about 20 survive today. They were situated in open fields with some strategically placed landscaping. Since that time the temples have been more elaborately landscaped, much like in formal English gardens.
In 1986 these groups of temples were excepted into the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. More about this can be learned at the UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho page.
I recently published a site on Khajuraho, India on Squidoo.Com. It has more details on Khajuraho, pictures of some of the temples, and links to videos with views of the erotica on the temples.
Khajuraho is a site you will never forget one you have visited it. But, while you are waiting for that once in a lifetime trip, take the time to read more about it at the two links given above.
Happy traveling.
