The Khajuraho Temples are among India’s most famous pieces of architecture, and visitors will like them for their unique carvings and historical background. Located in the center of Madhya Pradesh, these temples are listed as a World Heritage Site and must be attractive for history lovers, art and culture, and travelers. This comprehensive guide will take you through the best spots and attractions in Khajuraho, unraveling its history, architecture, and unique charm.
List of The Top Places To Visit In Khajuraho
The following are some of the best places to visit in Khajuraho that are worth to be visited. You will not have any issue visiting such places as they are found side by side. Visit these locales to understand Khajuraho’s arts, richness, history, and old customs from the prehistoric period. Be it the temples or the museums, there is a lot to see in this ancient city.
1. Kandariya Mahadeva Temple – For A Spiritual Retreat
Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is one of the most famous temples in Khajuraho worldwide because of the aesthetic and artistic design of the temple walls. This temple was constructed between the years 1025 to 1050 entirely for Lord Shiva. You will see the sensual sculptures of women around the entire temple compound. All walls have images and sculptures of women; some photos are higher than sculpture 3 feet.
- Location: Sevagram, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh PIN- 471606
- Timings: You can visit the temple at any time between 6 AM to 6 PM.
- Entry Fee: Tourists from India are expected to accustom INR 10 to enter the temple.
- Places To Stay: Lalit Traveller Khajuraho, Sun house homestead accommodation, The Lalit, Bhutan Hotel Buddha Palace Khajuraho, Headquarter Khajuraho
2. Lakshmana Temple – Marvel At The Architecture
Lakshmana temple is one of the major attractions of Khajuraho and one of the oldest and most significant temples the Chandela rulers constructed. The temple was built to mark the trinity of Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar, and one will find statues of these Hindu pantheon gods at the temple’s entrance. However, the idol of Lord Vishnu is preferred or placed in Garbagriha, the temple’s inner sanctum.
- Location: Rajnagar Rd, Sevagram, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh – 471606
- Timings: It is open daily from 8 in the morning until 6 in the evening, and you can visit the temple any time you want.
- Entry Fee: The local Indians are charged INR 10.
- Places To Stay: Lalit Traveller Khajuraho, Sunhouse homestay, The Lalit, Buddha Palace Khajuraho, Headquarters Khajuraho
3. Manjeshwar Temple – Witness The Morning Aarti
The Manjeshwar Temple came into existence in the 9th century, and the rulers of the Chandela dynasty were the people who constructed this temple. It is the temple of Lord Shiva, which is one of the nearest places to visit in Khajuraho. There is an eight-foot-tall Lingam of Lord Shiva in the interior part of the temple in Perambur. The temple’s exterior may not depict erotic scenes like most other temples of Khajuraho. On the sides, they are quite plain, but the temple’s ceiling is amazing.
- Timings: You will be allowed to visit the temple at any time of the day from as early as 6 AM up to 6 PM in the evening.
- Location: Khajuraho temple is at a distance of 900 meters from the bus stand of the same city.
- Entry Fee: NA
4. Javari Temple – Amidst Lush Greenery
One of the exquisite Khajuraho tourist places, Javari Temple, is in the eastern region of the famous Khajuraho monuments. Without any doubt, it is one of the most beautiful temples, perhaps, in the world. Set at the backdrop of the sprawling gardens, this temple rises high and is really very pretty to behold. The Javari Temple is designed in the shape of a temple with a consort to Lord Vishnu, and erotic postures of many positions of different men and women are carved on the pillars and the walls of the temple. If someone goes to Khajuraho, then this temple is a must-see place in Khajuraho, and one can feel that the trip would be incomplete without it.
- Location: Sevagram, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh 471606: Eastern Group of Temples
- Timings: If you plan to enter the temple, you can visit between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM any day of the week.
- Entry Fee: The entrance to the temple is free of charge.
- Places To Stay: Magi Homestay Khajuraho, Beni Home Stay Khajuraho, Namaste Homestay, Chelsea Palace, Freedom Guest House.
5. Chaturbhuj Temple – The Hidden Gem
The Chaturbhuja Temple is located amongst the group of temples in Khajuraho, and this temple was constructed during the Chandela dynasty in the 12th century . What’s more, apart from being devoted to Lord Vishnu, it houses a 2.7 meters tall statue of the same deity with four hands, which is why the place has been called Chaturbhuja. It makes up one of the best Khajuraho destinations to visit since the walls of the temple feature carvings of both male and female figures.
- Timings: The temple will be open all days a week from 5.30 AM in the morning to 6.30 PM in the evening.
- Entry Fee: For Indian tourists, the local rate is INR 10.
- Location: Khajuraho Bus Stand is 2 km from the temple.
- Places To Stay: Friends in Khajuraho, Krishna Home Stay, Greetoe Resort Khajuraho, Clarks Khajuraho, MPT Jhankar
6. Vishvanatha Temple – A Sight To Withhold
Vishvanatha temple is one of the best and even the most attractive places to visit in Khajuraho. It is not only the beautiful construction of the temple but also the scenery surrounding it, which has green trees and a clear sky. The temple is of Shiva and falls under the later or western group of temples at Khajuraho. The temple’s inner sanctum has a Shiva lingam enclosed by 101 such lingam. And it is rather remarkable to watch it, so, by all means, you should not miss the temple.
- Location: Rajnagar Road, Sevagram, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh – 471606
- Timings: You can visit the temple during the daytime every day from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Entry Fee: This will cost INR 10 to allow you in the temple.
- Places To Stay: Buddha Khajuraho Hostel, Casa De Mono, Yogi Lodge, Casa di William, Khajuraho homestay
7. Jagadambi Temple – Adorned By Sculptures & Carvings
The Jagadambiam Temple was constructed between 1000-1025 AD, and the temple worshiped Lord Vishnu, but some source says that it was built in the name of Goddess Parvati or ‘Maa Kali.’ Not only is the temple home to magical sculptures and carvings, but it is also very aesthetically pleasing to the eye, which makes it one of the best places to visit in Khajuraho. It is suggested that when visiting Khajuraho, you visit the temple to see the area on the spot.
- Timings: The temple is open daily to visitors from 7 AM to 6 PM.
- Entry Fee: No entrance fees will be charged for any visitor to the temple.
- Location: This temple is 1.6 km away from the Khajuraho bus stand.
- Places To Stay: Casa De Mono, Hostel Buddha Khajuraho, Hazel Patel House, Fusion Khajuraho
8. Shantinatha Temple – Sacred Jain Site
Shantinatha Temple, also a part of the Khajuraho group of temples, is one of the top tourist spots in Khajuraho. This is a Jain temple that is religious to the people of the Jain community, and one should plan to visit the temple as it’s one of the exciting activities to undertake in Khajuraho. There are marvelous carvings and sculptures on the temple’s outer walls, and the inside also contains a giant statue of Lord Shantinatha, which is at least twelve feet high. Temptations of the gods of Kshetrapala and Yaksha on the interiors of the temples are also remarkable.
- Timings: The temple will open to tourists throughout the day, from 6 in the morning to 8 in the evening.
- Entry Fee: The temple can be visited at no additional cost.
- Location: The temple is 1.3 km away from the bus stand of Khajuraho.
The Bottom Line
Today’s Khajuraho Temples are great examples of India’s cultural and architectural wonders. These temples have a rich history in addition to marvelous architecture and unique carvings, making them very popular destinations for people who want to see the arts and history of Indonesia. Khajuraho has always been an excellent site, whether you admire the great architecture of Kandariya Mahadev Temple or it is as simple as walking through the silent Southern Group.
Thus, carry your luggage and decide your dates. It is time to set yourself up for the journey to Khajuraho.
If you arrive by train, you can rent a car in Satna or Jhansi and drive to Khajuraho. Alternatively, you can fly there and then take a taxi from Khajuraho Airport.
Khajuraho has several temples, most of which are devoted to Lord Shiva.
The Chandela rulers built the tock-cut temple at Khajuraho in 900 A.D.
T.S. Burt, a British surveyor, discovered Khajuraho in the nineteenth century.
You can explore Khajuraho comfortably if you visit between October and February.
