Western Group of temples, Khajuraho

Khajuraho temples

Khajuraho Group of Monuments · Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

Foto: Jainarchit.17 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Earthly joys in stone, the pinnacle of Chandela religious art.

Antes de ir · Know before you go

  • Some carvings are bold, part of a religious art tradition
  • view them respectfully, without frivolous remarks or posing to imitate them.

Este artículo está «Sin verificar». Consulte los avisos oficiales sobre precios, horarios y fechas.

Culture

Cultura y costumbres

Contexto cultural

Between the 9th and 12th centuries the Chandela dynasty built about 85 Hindu and Jain temples here, of which about 25 survive; they became a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temple walls are covered in exquisite carvings bringing myth, war, music, dance and daily life to life; some bold erotic sculptures belong to a tradition in Indian religious art of celebrating the joy of life, and are not meant as titillation.

Costumbres locales

Every February–March the Khajuraho Dance Festival stages classical dance in front of the temples, a rare chance to see Indian classical arts.

Religión y creencias

  • The temples are divided into the Western Group (mainly Hindu), the Eastern Group (Jain) and others
  • some are still used for worship, so respect worshippers when visiting.

Etiquette

Normas y tabúes

Normas que se aplican aquí

Línea rojaModales cotidianosIndia

India: some states ban alcohol completely

  • Before visiting Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram, Nagaland or Lakshadweep, learn the alcohol rules
  • Drinking or carrying alcohol in a dry area
  • Drinking in parks and other public places

Drinking or possessing alcohol in a dry state can lead to arrest without bail and 5 to 10 years in prison.

Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: India travel advice

Línea rojaEntrada al paísIndia

India: e-cigarettes are banned

  • Leave your e-cigarette at home
  • Bringing an e-cigarette into India or buying one there

E-cigarettes and related products are banned in India.

Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: India travel advice

Línea rojaEntrada al paísIndia

India: no satellite phones or GPS devices without a permit

  • Before you leave, check whether your equipment needs a permit
  • Carrying a satellite phone or satellite navigation device without a permit (even in transit)

Illegal; you can be fined or arrested and the device confiscated. British tourists have been arrested for this.

Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: India travel advice

No lo haga DON'T

  • Some carvings are bold, part of a religious art tradition
  • view them respectfully, without frivolous remarks or posing to imitate them.

Lo que aprecian los locales DO

Local guides are happy to explain the myths behind each carving.

Plan your visit

Información práctica

Consejos de viaje

  • The Western Group has the most temples
  • hire an official guide (about 2 hours)
  • the soft light of early morning and evening brings out the carvings best
  • the town is small, and a night's stay lets you see both groups at leisure.

Eat nearby

Qué comer cerca

Imprescindible

  • Central Indian thali
  • Tandoori meat / chicken
  • Bundelkhandi regional food

Indian and Chinese thalis, tandoori kebabs / chicken, Bundelkhandi regional food (coarse-grain breads with lentil curry), masala dosa (South Indian crêpe, common at tourist restaurants), lassi / lemon tea

Dónde comerThe street of restaurants in the village opposite the Western Group of temples, vegetarian restaurants in the Jain temple area
Normas en la mesaThe Jain area has a strong vegetarian tradition — don't bring meat or alcohol into the temple area; behave appropriately among the temple carvings
Precio orientativo por personaINR 350–700 ≈ CNY 29–59
ConsejosChoice is limited in the small town, so book dinner early; in the winter tourist season all restaurants are open, while many close in summer.

Los precios son orientativos a octubre de 2026, no presupuestos exactos; en zonas con tipos de cambio muy variables solo se da un intervalo aproximado en yuanes.

Central Indian baked dough with dal
Central Indian baked dough with dal
Drhimanshuaneejwal · CC BY-SA 4.0

Photos

Fotos

Fuentes y notas de verificación

Wikipedia:Khajuraho Group of Monuments