Popular Temple
Khajuraho Group of Temples
Khajuraho, Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh
A UNESCO World Heritage cluster showcasing the Chandela dynasty's remarkable Nagara architecture
At a glance
- Location
- Khajuraho, Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh
- Presiding deity
- Lord Shiva, Vishnu, and Jain Tirthankaras (across different shrines)
- Temple type
- Popular Temple
- Tradition
- Shaiva
- Nearest railway station
- Khajuraho railway station (in the town itself, ~5-6 km from the temple complex)
- Nearest airport
- Khajuraho Airport (~5 km)
- Best time to visit
- October to March; the Khajuraho Dance Festival (February) is a notable cultural event.
History
The Khajuraho temples were built by the Chandela dynasty rulers roughly between 950 and 1050 CE. Originally numbering around 85 temples, about 25 survive today, divided into Western, Eastern, and Southern groups. The Western group, home to the Kandariya Mahadev temple, is the best preserved of the three and the one most visitors see.
Spiritual significance
Khajuraho is world-renowned for its intricate carvings and sculpture, depicting a rich cross-section of human life — spiritual, social, and artistic — and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.
Plan your visit
Darshan timings
6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with an evening sound-and-light show held at the Western group.
Timings change on festivals and special occasions. Confirm with the temple's official source before you travel.
Khajuraho railway station has limited but direct trains from Delhi and other cities; Jhansi (~175 km) is a larger junction alternative. Autos and taxis are available from the station to the temples.
Continue your Shiva bhakti
Devotional texts for this deity, already on the site.