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A tall sandstone temple with clustered spires on a high platform, framed by lawns, trees and white clouds
Heritage · Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Khajuraho Group of Monuments

UNESCO-listed Hindu and Jain temples of the Chandella dynasty, famed for their sculpture

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Discover Khajuraho Group of Monuments

In the quiet countryside of northern Madhya Pradesh, a cluster of tall sandstone temples rises from lawns and gardens. Seen from a distance, their spires climb like mountain peaks; up close, every surface is alive with carved gods and goddesses, dancers, musicians, warriors, animals and couples.

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is one of India's great artistic achievements. The Western Group, centred on the Kandariya Mahadeva, Lakshmana and Vishvanatha temples, is the most visited, while the Eastern Group includes Jain temples still in worship. The famous sensuous carvings make up only a small part of the sculpture, which also celebrates devotion, everyday life and the cosmos. Khajuraho rewards a slow visit, ideally at the soft light of early morning or late afternoon when the sandstone glows.

Don’t miss

  1. 01Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, the largest temple at Khajuraho, with dozens of miniature spires around its main tower
  2. 02Lakshmana Temple, one of the best preserved temples of the Western Group
  3. 03The Eastern Group of Jain temples, including the Parshvanatha temple
  4. 04Richly carved exterior friezes showing deities, celestial maidens, musicians and daily life
  5. 05The annual Khajuraho Dance Festival, staged against the temples in February

History & culture

The story of Khajuraho Group of Monuments

The temples were built by the Chandella dynasty, which reached its height between about 950 and 1050 CE. UNESCO, which inscribed the site in 1986, notes that around 20 to 25 temples survive from a much larger original group, in western, eastern and southern clusters, and that they belong to both Hinduism and Jainism.

The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, dedicated to Shiva, was built around 1025 to 1050 CE and is the largest temple in the group. After the decline of the Chandellas the temples were largely forgotten by the outside world, until a British officer, T. S. Burt, reported on them in 1838.

Local life & traditions

Khajuraho is a small town that lives largely from tourism and farming. The Matangeshwar Temple remains a working Shiva temple, crowded during Maha Shivaratri, and the Jain temples of the Eastern Group are active places of worship. Visitors should remove shoes where asked and dress modestly in working temples.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Start with the Western Group, walking clockwise around each temple to follow the sculpted friezes, and step inside to see the dim sanctums and pillared halls. A knowledgeable licensed guide makes a big difference in interpreting the iconography. Then cycle or take an auto-rickshaw to the Eastern Group's Jain temples and the Southern Group's Duladeo and Chaturbhuj temples.

In the evening, a sound-and-light show is held at the Western Group. If you visit in February, the Khajuraho Dance Festival brings performances of India's classical dance forms against the illuminated temples. The Matangeshwar Temple, beside the Western Group, is still in active worship.

When to go

October to March is the best period, with pleasant days; February brings the dance festival and comfortable weather. April to June is very hot, often well above 40 degrees Celsius, so sightseeing is best kept to early morning and late afternoon. The monsoon from July to September turns the countryside green but can be humid.

Plan your visit

Verified information

UNESCO World Heritage
Inscribed in 1986 under criteria (i) and (iii); Hindu and Jain temples of the Chandella dynasty. Source: whc.unesco.org ↗
Opening hours
Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is open from sunrise to sunset. Source: mptourism.com ↗
Khajuraho Dance Festival
Held annually, from the last week of February. Source: mptourism.com ↗
Getting there
Khajuraho has its own airport with flights to New Delhi and Bhopal, and a railway station. Source: incredibleindia.gov.in ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

  • Buy tickets for the Western Group at the official counter or through the ASI e-ticketing service; ticket prices differ for Indian, SAARC/BIMSTEC and other foreign visitors.
  • Visit early in the morning or late afternoon for softer light and cooler temperatures.
  • Hire only licensed guides, who carry official identification.
  • Carry water and a hat; there is little shade between temples.
  • Remove shoes before entering temple interiors and dress modestly in temples still in worship.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Khajuraho Group of Monuments: food, markets & places to stay

The Western Group sits opposite the small town centre, where there are restaurants, cafes and handicraft shops. Hotels are spread along the roads between the town and the airport. Panna National Park, a tiger reserve, and the Raneh Falls canyon are within driving distance, and Orchha, with its riverside palaces and cenotaphs, is a few hours away by road. Khajuraho railway station is about 6 km from the monuments.

Where Khajuraho Group of Monuments is

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Sources & verification

This guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 27 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image. The ambient recording’s author and licence are shown in the sound player.

  1. Khajuraho Group of Monuments — UNESCO World Heritage Centre
  2. Kandariya Mahadeva Temple in Khajuraho — Madhya Pradesh Tourism
  3. Kandariya Mahadev Temple — Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
  4. Khajuraho Group of Monuments — Wikipedia

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