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Introduction |
 In 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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