Temples, Forts & Museums Worth Visiting in Khajuraho (2024)
Listed under UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khajuraho is one of the most beautiful temples in the world. This architectural masterpiece was built between 950 to 1050 AD in Madhya Pradesh. Located near the small town of Bundelkhand in Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is pretty well-known throughout the world for the carvings present on the walls of the temples. As there are many temples located inside Khajuraho’s premises, you will be able to witness the stunning work of architecture in every one of them. Most of the carvings are erotic and celebrates human intimacy. It is pretty astonishing to see such a progressive depiction of sex or the human body at an ancient time. By exploring the temple, you will feel whether or not India is progressing or regressing.
Initially, the entire temple complex had around 85 temples, but after the invasion of different rulers, a considerable part of the complex was destroyed. Now, you will be able to see 25 temples scattered throughout the complex. The beauty of Khajuraho lies in the eroticism of the carvings and the artistic brilliance of artisans who created this masterpiece by using only the necessary equipment. Every part of the sculptors or sculptures is breathtakingly beautiful. In this blog, you will get to know about the temples, forts and museums to visit in Khajuraho, as it is pretty easy to get confused. Reaching Khajuraho is not that difficult as it is connected to India’s major cities via flight, rail and road.
Temples, Forts & Museums Worth Visiting in Khajuraho
The following part of the blog will let you know about some of the top attractions to visit in Khajuraho. While planning a trip over there, remember to visit the following sites.
1. Lakshman Temple
Built by Chandela Kings, Lakshman Temple is one of the most ancient temples located inside the premise of the temple complex of Khajuraho. Even though the temple is technically dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar, yet it is primarily dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The most exciting thing about the temple is the carving, which can be seen on the temple walls.
You will be able to see the carvings of more than 600 Gods and Goddesses both inside and outside the temple. It is one of the most photogenic places on earth, and people from all around the world visit there to see the beauty.
Timings: 8 am to 6 pm.
2. Adinath Temple
As you might know already that the Khajuraho group of temples are primarily Jain temples. Among all the Jain temples, the Adinath Temple is the most beautiful one. It was constructed to pay tribute to the famous Jain saint Adinath. You will be able to see the influence of Indo-Aryan architecture pretty vividly while exploring the temple. Most of the sculptures and carvings on the temple are of Yakshi.
Even though the temple is full of glory, people cannot take their eyes off from its gorgeous architecture. The temple is a part of the Eastern Group of Temples cluster inside the Khajuraho temple complex.
Timings: 8 am to 6 pm.
3. Kandariya Mahadeva Temple
Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is a Hindu temple that is presumably built in 1050 BC. It is the most photogenic temple in Khajuraho, and you might have seen its picture many times on the internet. As the temple was dedicated to Lord Shiva, you will see the Linga of God inside the building. The idol is immensely beautiful as it is built of marble. Throughout the temple walls, you will be able to see the sculptures and carvings of Mount Kailash.
The temple is genuinely an architectural masterpiece. When you are visiting there, do not forget to take your camera with you.
Timings: 6 am to 6 pm.
4. Matangeshwar Temple
Matangeshwar Temple is another mesmerizingly beautiful temple located inside the Khajuraho temple complex. It was constructed during the time of Chandra Devi under Chandela’s rule in the 9th century. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple’s architectural aesthetic is the main reason people go there.
The roof of the temple is carved with different depictions of erotic postures and the human body. Inside the temple, you will witness an idol of Lord Shiva, which is around eight feet tall. It is one of the best places to visit in Khajuraho not only because of the temple’s spirituality but also because of its architectural integrity.
Timings: 6 am to 6 pm.
5. Javari Temple
Javari Temple is an integral part of the Eastern block temples inside the Khajuraho Temple complex. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and depicts some of the most erotic architectural carvings. When you visit there, you will find a large number of sculptures depicting different erotic positions between men and women throughout the walls of the temple.
Even though the carvings are erotic, you will genuinely admire the artists’ hard work to create such magnificent structures. The sheer accuracy of the figures on the walls will make you wonder how talented the artisans were when the temple was constructed?
Timings: 8 am to 6 pm.
6. Chitragupta Temple
Chitragupta Temple was constructed in the 11th century, and it is one of the most beautiful temples located inside the premises of the Khajuraho temple complex. You will be able to witness a 7-feet tall idol of God Surya inside the temple. As the Chitragupta temple is dedicated to Lord Surya, you will see God’s chariot driven by seven horses.
Apart from the idol, the entire temple walls are covered with erotic carvings of men and women. You will also get to witness the portrayal of the beheading of Lord Vishnu in the sculptures of the walls.
Timings: 5 am to 9 pm.
7. Vamana Temple
Vamana Temple is the only architectural structure in the world where you will see over 2000 carvings. The entire temple is like a mirage as you will witness more and more minute details when you will notice the carvings carefully. From the roofs to the walls, from the inner part to the outside of the temple, every part of the structure is covered with mesmerizingly beautiful sculptures.
This temple is also part of the eastern block temple cluster in the Khajuraho temple complex. Vamana Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. When you go there, do not forget to click a picture of you and your family at the temple entrance.
Timings: 5 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm.
8. Vishvanatha Temple
Vishvanatha Temple is a unique temple located in the western block of the Khajuraho temple complex. You will get to see around 101 small statues along with the massive Lingam of Lord Shiva. People make sure they visit this temple because it is one of the best places to visit in Khajuraho. The temple is dedicated to Lord Brahma. That is why his image is carved quite vividly inside the building.
Your trip to Khajuraho will not be complete if you do not explore this mesmerizingly beautiful temple.
Timings: 7 am to 6 pm.
9. Duladeo Temple
Built between 1000 AD to 1150 AD, Duladeo Temple is the latest temple among the other temples located in Khajuraho. As this temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva, you will find his Lingam constructed inside its premises. The Chandela Rulers built this temple, and it is comparatively lesser popular among tourists than the other architectural structures located in Khajuraho.
As many tourists do not visit this area, you will be able to explore it and even rest by the stairs of the temple at peace.
Timings: 6 am to 6 pm.
10. Ghantai Temple
Ghantai temple is not technically a part of the Khajuraho group of temples, but it is located quite close to the complex. It was built in 995 BC and was dedicated to Tirthankar Rishabanatha, a famous Jain saint. Even though the temple is now in ruins, it is crucial to India’s archaeological history.
The temple is located quite close to the eastern blocks of the Khajuraho group of temples.
Timings: 6 am to 6 pm.
11. Ajaygarh Fort
It would take around 2 hours for you to reach the Ajaygarh fort from Khajuraho. When you reach the premises of the fort, you will be spellbound as the fort is magnificently beautiful. The architecture of the building is mesmerizingly beautiful, but it is also the scenery surrounding the fort. The height of the fort is around 688 meters, and the Chandela dynasty constructed it.
You will be entirely bewildered by the view of Ajaygarh fort surrounded by the breathtakingly beautiful Vindhya ranges. It is one of the best places to visit in Khajuraho, and you must not miss visiting it at any cost.
Timings: 6 am to 6 pm.
Distance from the Khajuraho bus stands to Ajaygarh fort: 65 km.
12. Archaeological Museum
After visiting the temple complex in Khajuraho, you must visit the archaeological museum to know about the history of the temple in depth. In this museum, you will find not only the relics of the temples located in the 9th or 12th century but also the cultures of Hindu and Jain religions.
More than 2000 relics are preserved in the museum, which will allow you to know about the history of the temples.
The museum is located opposite to the Khajuraho Circuit house and is pretty easy to find.
Timings: 9 am to 5 pm.
All the temples and fort included in this list are an essential part of Khajuraho. The best part about all of the said places is that you will be able to visit them while exploring the temple complex in Khajuraho. Usually, people take the guided tour to explore the intricate details of the details in Khajuraho.
