Explore Hidden Treasures of Khajuraho.
Let us come with us for Khajuraho Trip. Journey begins now.......
On 23rd Dec, 2006, Saturday, Delhi, we were just sitting at our office, doing daily routine work and thinking for Christmas holiday. And instantly a tour came out from our mind for Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. Then, we (Amit, Pawan and Puran) have all decided for Khajuraho tour in occasion of Christmas.
The only thing left is preparation for this tour. We have just winded up from our office early for making it. All goes to our livelihoods, packed our bags with journey clothes and all needed things for a tour. We have already decided to meet at Nizamuddin Railway Station, Delhi at 9:00 pm for enquiring and collecting tickets for our destination to Khajuraho. We needed to do it without reservations as this is so instant program. At last, we have got second class tickets (you can say it general) of Dhakshin Express for Jhansi because Jhansi is only the nearest station to reach Khajuraho.
After getting tickets, we were just waiting our train - Dhakshin Express, coming at 10:50 pm. Train arrived at time, and we got sites after some struggle, as you know about general class conditions in trains. But we remain seated for 1 more hour in train only. The train starts at 11:50 pm and our journey starts from Delhi to Khajuraho.
It is 7 hour journey by train from Delhi to Jhansi in which we have got some nice passengers along with us those are very cooperative and of jolly nature. With some nice cool jokes and refreshments, we have completed our journey to Jhansi. Our train arrived at 7 o’clock in the morning at Jhansi Station. Our only main concern is now to have a comfort stay. So, we are trying for that now. We came out from stations and got gathered with local peoples of Jhansi. And then, we hire a Rickshaw from Jhansi to Orchha which is a nearest and popular resort situated at Betwa river.
Orchha is just 20 minutes away from Jhansi. Orchha was founded in 16th century by Rudra Pratap, Bundela Rajput chieftain, who chooses this land for his capital along with Betwa river fascinated with Chaturbhuj and Ram Raja Temples. As its morning, so its time to take bath, and we also got tired from train travel. Betwa is a fast running beautiful river. And, one of my friend (Pawan) took daring to have bath in it. After having bath and got clean up. We visited Ram Raja Mandir, where we have blessed with the morning Arti. Here, leather belts, cameras and bags are not allowed in Ram Raja Mandir with you.
Then we went down for next temple seeing which is Chaturbhuj. Two minars named Sawan and Bhadon situated near Phool Bagh are also one of the main attractions in capital. Orchha is also popular for more attractions like Laxminarayan Temple, Dinman Hardaul’s Palace, Phool Bagh, Rai Parveen Mahal and Jehangir Mahal which has been converted into a Hotel by MP Tourism. We are so hungry now and tired also, so we decided to have breakfast but we also don’t have so much time to relax. So, we got milk in breakfast with Prashad (temple offerings).
After Orchha sight seeing, we decided to take our journey to main spot which is Khajuraho. But we have stunned when we heard that it’s around 180 Km destination from Orchha Resort. We haven’t got any direct vehicle from Orchha to Khajuraho. So, we made it into parts. First, we have take bus to mau, after there, we got bus fro Khajuraho. After 5 hours long run from buses, we have visited Khajuraho bus stand.
When we just taken step out from our bus. So many Auto Rickshawalas (Auto Driver) affiliated with Incredible India covered us with all their deals. We are new to that place; we have decided to hire Auto Ricksha for exploring Khajuraho Ancient Temples which are spread in 20 km area told by Auto Driver and difficult to explore with footsteps. You can also hire bicycles from bicycle stands for sightseeing which is economical and affordable to anyone. But we are tired and hungry and want to take rest and complete our journey with comforts. So, we have taken Rickshaw for hire for Rs.350 for complete Khajuraho sightseeing. Hotel was arranged by Auto Driver for us which are Rs.350 for one night. We also needed one night stay. So, we had it.
After taking bath and refreshments, we were ready for sightseeing of two temples which are best to see at sunsets only because the faces of only these two temples are west sided guided by Auto Driver. We are back to our hotel stay then, have taken vegetarian dinner. We are tired and it’s too cold there, so what bad in that if we had a Rum bottle.
Khajuraho is a forest area of having population about just 6-7 thousand people with awesome architecture at temples.
After a nice and comfort sleep, we woke up in morning at 8 o’clock and ready for exploring Khajuraho temples. Our auto driver was at time and we just need to sit in auto now.
After having breakfast, we went to well known Khajuraho 3 Jain temples - Ghantai, Adinath and Parsvanath which is an eastern group. The Parshwanatha is the largest and the most beautiful Jain temple at Khajuraho. Then, we move for all other temples in southern part of Khajuraho which has two temples - Duladeo and Chaturbhuja Temples.
Now, its turn for western part which main centre of sightseeing at Khajuraho. Consisting many spiritual temples. The notable monuments in this group are the Lakshmana Temple, Matangeswara Temple, Varaha Temple and the nearby Visvanatha and Nandi Temples.
Khajuraho temples indicate about traditional way of life during medieval period. These all temples are dedicated to our Hindu deities and lords – Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu, and various Devi forms, such as Devi Jagadambi temple and their avtars. These temples tell about man life of those days. The erotic sculptures that we have found are just of 10% made outside the temples and there is no sexual theme inside any temple, they portray that for seeing the deity, one must leave his sexual desires outside the temple.
Now what we feel after seeing all these sculptures including deities, farmers, kings, queens etc. we have found that there are two worlds, one which we can see outside the temple and second can be seen inside the temple. Outside the temples, the sculptures indicate the common men personal and social life including desires, karmas, life, pleasures etc. But if we go inside the temple, we will see that we don’t have to forget our deities and lords who are there to protect us and guiding us towards enlightenment with all our human desires.
This was the most fascinating and pleasure sightseeing for all of us. We have captured all our nice moments in our cameras and mobiles. Khajuraho has also nice shopping shops for handcrafted items and books gallery mentioning about Khajuraho and Kamasutra. We also purchase some of nice handcrafted products and home decorative.
And now its time to move back to our home.
We got bus for Jhansi Station from Khajuraho. After 5 hours run, we reach to Jhansi Bus Stand. But with god bless, we were safely comes out from a long distance with Christmas wishes. Nice Journey.
Contributed by Amit Verma