Read on Twitter
Note- This thread is only for sound people. Kids stay away.
"The Architectural Masterpiece" KHAJURAHO
@MPTourism
Khajuraho is one of the most popular tourist spots in Madhya Pradesh. It is famous for its ancient temples that depict some of the finest art in the world.
"The Architectural Masterpiece" KHAJURAHO
@MPTourism
Khajuraho is one of the most popular tourist spots in Madhya Pradesh. It is famous for its ancient temples that depict some of the finest art in the world.
Perhaps no other destination evokes so many different responses like Khajuraho does. The erotic sculptures of Khajuraho are the cynosure of all eyes and yet, you get varied reactions from people who visit the town.
And yet, there is an intrigue around the erotic sculptures of Khajuraho that adorn the walls of these temples. Chandelas, who ruled over 1000 years ago built these monuments which represent love and lust in various forms.
The moon always evokes romance and it is little wonder then that the descendants of the celestial moon god would build monuments that stand for love. The story goes that a beautiful woman called Hemavathy was bathing in the dark under moonlight, when she was seduced by the moon.
She ran into the forests for refuge and raised her son, Chandravarman alone .The moon however promised her that their son would one day rule over a kingdom. True to his word, Chandravarman grew up to establish the Chandela dynasty .
The men and women are in various stages of love making and the erotic sculptures fill the walls of the temples. The amorous couples are lost in each other’s arms and private moments are out here for public display, they are not attempt to hide their feelings for each other.
Built between 950-1050AD, these temples depict various forms like meditation,spirituality,kinship, wrestling,royalty and erotic art. The temples consist of stunning displays of fine sculptures and exceptional architectural skill, making them one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Based on their geographical location, the temples are categorised into three groups: Eastern, Western and Southern. Beautiful, intricate and expressive, the sculptures of the Khajuraho temples will leave you in awe and wonder
The architecture of these Hindu and Jain temples depict the innocent form of love. The sheer confrontational nature of these carvings show a stark paradox with the conventional Indian ideals about eroticism, leaving everybody spellbound.
Historical records note that the Khajuraho temple site had 85 temples by the 12th century, spread over 20 square kilometers. Of these, only about 25 temples have survived, spread over six square kilometers.
Most temples were built during the reigns of the Hindu kings Yashovarman and Dhanga. Yashovarman's legacy is best exhibited by the Lakshmana Temple
Khajuraho is one of the four holy sites (Kedarnath,Kashi & Gaya). Its origin and design is a subject of scholarly studies. Khajuraho is the place where Shiva got married; with Raghuvamsha verse 5.53, Matangeshvara honoring Matanga, or god of love
The Khajuraho temples feature a variety of artwork, of which 10% is sexual or erotic art outside and inside the temples. Some of the temples that have two layers of walls have small erotic carvings on the outside of the inner wall.
Scholars state that the erotic arts are part of the Hindu tradition of treating kama as an essential part of human life. James McConnachie, in his history of the Kamasutra, describes the sexual-themed Khajuraho sculptures as "the apogee of erotic art".
In the words of Stella Kramrisch,
This state which is “like a man and woman in close embrace” is a symbol of moksa, final release or reunion of two principles, the essence (Purusha) and nature (Prakriti).
— Stella Kramrisch, 1976
This state which is “like a man and woman in close embrace” is a symbol of moksa, final release or reunion of two principles, the essence (Purusha) and nature (Prakriti).
— Stella Kramrisch, 1976
There are several intepretations that speak of varying beliefs that seem to be in the fore. One of them- leaving your lust behind before entering the temple – which is probably why there are no carvings of sex inside the temples .
@threader_app compile
