Khajuraho occupies a genuinely unusual position among the temples documented in this project: it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as much for its sculpture as for its status as an …
Khajuraho occupies a genuinely unusual position among the temples documented in this project: it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as much for its sculpture as for its status as an active or historical place of worship, internationally known — sometimes to the point of overshadowing everything else about the site — for its intricate and famously explicit erotic carvings, which represent only a fraction of the temple group's overall artistic and iconographic programme. Built by the Chandela dynasty between roughly 950 and 1050 CE, the original complex comprised around 85 temples, of which about 25 survive today, spread across a site dedicated to both Hindu deities (predominantly Shiva and Vishnu) and Jain tirthankaras — a rare instance in this project of a single monumental site spanning two distinct religious traditions side by side. The famous carvings, far from being incidental or purely decorative, are understood by most scholars as part of a deliberate and sophisticated artistic and symbolic programme addressing the full range of human life and experience, from the everyday to the divine, rather than existing purely for shock value or titillation — a nuance frequently lost in the site's popular reputation.
Constructed under the Chandela dynasty across roughly a century (c. 950-1050 CE), Khajuraho represents one of the peaks of medieval North Indian temple architecture and sculpture, with the surviving ~25 of an original ~85 temples now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Built in a distinctive Nagara architectural style with elaborately carved shikharas (towers), the temples are renowned for their extensive sculptural programme covering deities, celestial figures, everyday life, and famously, explicit erotic imagery, all integrated into a coherent artistic and architectural whole.
While predominantly Shaiva and Vaishnava in dedication, the wider Khajuraho group also includes significant Jain temples, reflecting the site's historical role as a shared centre of religious and artistic patronage under Chandela rule, with the famous erotic sculptures understood by most scholars as part of a deliberate, comprehensive artistic programme rather than isolated or incidental imagery.
Visit | Start | End | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Monument Opening | 6:00 AM | — | Open | Open every day |
Morning Visit | 6:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Open | Pleasant time for sightseeing and photography |
Afternoon Visit | 12:00 PM | 4:00 PM | Open | Moderate visitor crowd |
Evening Visit | 4:00 PM | 6:00 PM | Open | Ideal for sunset views |
Monument Closing | — | 6:00 PM | Closed | Timings may vary slightly with seasons |
Aarti | Time | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Mangala Aarti | 5:30 AM | Free | Opening worship of Lord Shiva |
Morning Pooja | 8:00 AM | Free | Daily devotional worship |
Madhyana Aarti | 12:00 PM | Free | Midday offering |
Sandhya Aarti | 6:00 PM | Free | Evening lamp offering |
Shayan Aarti | 8:00 PM | Free | Final ritual before temple closes |
Entry | Price | Waiting Time | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
Indian Citizens | ₹40 | 5–20 min | Ticket Counter / Online |
SAARC & BIMSTEC Visitors | ₹40 | 5–20 min | Ticket Counter / Online |
Foreign Nationals | ₹600 | 5–20 min | Ticket Counter / Online |
Children (Below 15 Years) | Free | Immediate | Walk-in |
Seva | Time | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Archana | Throughout the day | As per temple | Personal prayer offered to Lord Shiva |
Rudrabhishekam | Morning | As per temple | Sacred Abhishekam of the Shiva Lingam |
Milk Abhishekam | Morning | As per temple | Ritual bathing of the Shiva Lingam |
Bilva Archana | Morning & Evening | As per temple | Worship using sacred Bilva leaves |
Maha Shivaratri Special Pooja | Festival Day | As per temple | Grand annual Shiva worship |
Festival | Month | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
Khajuraho Dance Festival | February–March | Internationally acclaimed classical dance festival held against the backdrop of the illuminated Western Group of Temples. |
Maha Shivaratri | February–March | Grand celebrations at Matangeshwar Temple with night-long worship and thousands of devotees. |
Navratri | March–April & September–October | Special prayers and cultural programs at the active temples. |
Kartik Purnima | October–November | Devotional celebrations and increased pilgrim visits. |
Diwali | October–November | Temples and surrounding areas are beautifully illuminated. |
Shravana Month | July–August | Special Shiva Abhishekams at Matangeshwar Temple every Monday. |
World Heritage Day | April | Cultural programs and heritage awareness events organized around the temple complex. |
Prasadam | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
Vibhuti | Free | Sacred ash distributed after worship |
Panchamrit | As per counter | Holy offering prepared during rituals |
Laddu | As per counter | Temple sweet prasadam |
Coconut | As per offering | Blessed coconut returned to devotees |
Bilva Leaves | Free | Blessed leaves offered after worship |
Nearest airport: Khajuraho Airport, with direct connections to Delhi, Varanasi and other major cities. Khajuraho also has its own railway station.
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📍 Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Khajuraho, Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh 471606
Planning to stay overnight? Find places to stay near Khajuraho.
Search Hotels on Booking.comKhajuraho offers tourist accommodation across a wide range of budgets, given its status as a major heritage destination.
The Western, Eastern and Southern temple groups are all within the same general area, along with the Khajuraho Archaeological Museum.
