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Khajuraho-Introduction
I n
the temple architecture of India, the Khajuraho complex remains
unique. One thousand years ago, under the generous and artistic
patronage of the Chandela Rajput kings of Central India, 85 temples,
magnificent in form and richly carved, came up on one site, near the
village of Khajuraho. The amazingly short span of 100 years, from
950 AD - 1050 AD, saw the completion of all the temples, in an
inspired burst of creativity. Today, of the original 85, only 22
have survived the ravages of time; these remain as a collective
paean to life, to joy and to creativity; to the ultimate fusion of
man with his creator.
Why did
the Chandelas choose Khajuraho or Khajirvahila - garden of dates, as
it was known then - as the site for their stupendous creations ?
Even in those days it was no more than a small village. It is
possible given the eclectic patronage of the Chandelas and the wide
variety of beliefs represented in the temples, that they had the
concept of forming a seat of religion and learning at Khajuraho. It
is possible that the Chandelas were also believers in the powers of
Tantrism; the cult which believes that the gratification of earthly
desires is a step closer to the attainment of the infinite. It is
certain however, that the temples represent the expression of a
highly matured civilization.
Yet
another theory is that the erotica of Khajuraho, and indeed of other
temples, had a specific purpose. In those days when boys lived in
hermitages, following the Hindu law of being "brahmacharis" until
they attained manhood, the only way they could prepare themselves
for the worldly role of 'householder' was through the study of these
sculptures and the earthly passions they depicted.
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