KHAJURAHO
GROUP OF MONUMENTS - ART & CULTURE
News:
Dekho Apna Desh in
Khajuraho
What's
in the news?
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The Ministry of Tourism had recently
organised a webinar on “Khajuraho – Temples of Architectural Splendour” under
Dekho Apna Desh.
Key
takeaways:
●
Dekho Apna Desh Webinar Series is an
effort to showcase India’s rich diversity under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
Khajuraho
Group of Monuments:
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Khajuraho Temples (in Madhya Pradesh) are among the most beautiful medieval
monuments in the country.
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Built between 950-1050 AD by the Chandela Dynasty.
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The monuments include Hindu and Jain temples.
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The temple site is situated within Vindhya Mountain range.
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These Temples got the status of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in 1986.
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The temples are famous for their Nagara-style architectural symbolism.
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Reported for the first time by Abu Rihan
al Biruni in AD 1022 and Ibn Battuta in AD 1335.
Architecture:
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The Temples of Khajuraho are a magnificent
example of the Nagara style of temples, as the temples consist of
○
a sanctum,
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a narrow ante-chamber (antarala),
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a transept (mahamandapa),
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additional halls (ardha mandapa),
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a mandapa or nave and
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an ambulatory passage (Pradakshina-path)
which is lighted by large windows.
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Erotic
imagery is very common in the Temples of Khajuraho.
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Sculptures of celestial nymphs with broad
hips, heavy breasts and languishing eyes are commonly found in the Kandariya
Mahadeva and Vishwanath Temple.
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These sculptures are believed to reflect
the idea of female beauty and fertility.