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A Rendezvous With
Khajuraho and Orcha |
Khajuraho,
renowned for its stone carved temples, is located in the beautiful forested
plains of Madhya Pradesh in the central Indian state. The exquisite and the
medieval art of Khajuraho attracts innumerable visitors to it every year.
The highlight of the Khajuraho temples is that they depict the erotic
feelings and the Kama (pleasure) mudras (positions)thus demonstrating a
powerful amalgam of the visual and sensual pleasures. It was built by the
Chandela rulers of that time. 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 of Khajuraho represent the expression of a highly matured
civilization and today are the most important tourist destinations in the
art and culture tour of India. One can visit Orcha from here which lies at a
distance of 170 kms from Khajuraho and is famous for magnificent temples and
monuments which are delight to see!
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Things You Can Do
in Khajuraho and Orcha |
» Sightseeing : The majestic sights of
Khajuraho certainly cannot be missed. The ancient and unique architecture,
the exotic stone sculptures in the temples of Khajuraho are just
spellbinding. On the other hand the medieval structures of Orcha will leave
you awestruck.
» Shopping : You can buy some souvenirs from the
local market.
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Sightseeing in
Khajuraho and Orcha |
»
Lakshmana temple : This temple is one of the oldest temples of
Khajuraho. The big temple has four shrines attached to it. The themes
depicted in the temple walls are battles, hunting, and women in different
postures.
» Devi Jagdamba temple : Jagdamba is considered as
one of the most erotic temples of Khajuraho. The temple houses Khajuraho's
best known image of mithuna. The temple also has many sensuously carved
figures.
» Vishvanath and Nandi temple : This temple
celebrates the marriage of Lord Shiva with Parvati. The main attraction of
this temple are wall carvings depicting women in various postures. From
traditional images of women fondling babies to writing letters, the images
are very erotic in nature.
» Chaunsat Yogini temple : This temple is the oldest
of the surviving temples of Khajuraho. The deity worshipped is goddess Kali.
This is the only temple of Khajuraho built in granite.
» Parsvanath temple : This is the largest of the
Jain temples in Khajuraho and also one of the finest. The temple was
originally dedicated to Adinath and latter to Parsvanath. The art forms of
the temple are sensitive but without any sexual motifs.
» Orcha Fort Complex : Located in an island on river
Betwa, there are a number of palaces to visit within the fort complex. A
four-arched bridge leads to the fort complex on the island. The architecture
of the fort is impressive. Jahangir Mahal is the most important monument of
the fort built by Bir Singh Deo.
» Shahid Smarak : Shahid Smarak commemorates the
martyrdom of Chandrashekhar Azad, the great freedom fighter of India. The
place is very neatly kept and attracts tourists in large numbers.
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Excursion from
Khajuraho and Orcha |
If
one has extra time on hand and wishes to extend the Khajuraho tour then
there are beautiful places around Khajuraho that can be visited like Panna
National Park (32 km away), Raneh Falls ( 19 kms ) , Ken Nature Trail ( 22
km ), Ken Gharial Sanctuary(24 kms), Banisagar lake(11 kms) and Ranguan
lake(25 kms).
Orcha is also surrounded by picturesque spots that can be added to the
visit to increase the excitement. Jhansi, Chitrakoot and Barua Sagar are
some of these places.
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Most Ideal Time to
Visit |
Both Khajuraho and Orcha experience an extreme type of climate with
hot summers and chilly winters. The temperature rises up to 47°C during
summers and becomes as low as 4°C during winters. The monsoon heralds
in the month of July and lasts until September. The annual average rainfall
has been recorded as 114 cm approx. Looking at the climatic condition here
the best time to travel to these places is October to March.
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Getting There |
» By Air : Indian airlines flies to
Khajuraho thrice a week from Delhi via Agra and Varanasi. Jet airways
connect Khajuraho to Mumbai via Delhi and Varanasi. To travel to Orcha also,
a flight to Khajuraho would be the best option. One can take a bus or taxi
to Orcha from the Khajuraho airport.
» By Trains : The nearest rail heads from Khajuraho
are Harpalpur (94 km) and Mahoba (63 km). As regards Orcha, the nearest
railhead is Jhansi at a distance of 18 kms. Jhansi is located on the main
Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai railway route.One can easily reach Orcha from
Jhansi by bus or taxi.
» By Road : There are bus services to Khajuraho from
Panna, Satna, Chattarpur, Jabalpur, Mahoba, Bhopal, Gwalior and Indore.
Buses also operate between Orcha and few other destinations of Madhya
Pradesh. From Jhansi, there are regular buses to the place.
» Private Vehicles : You can contact us for this, as
we are well established with an extensive number of cars and coaches
(ranging from luxury to budget and between) for the tourists from all over.
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Anchoring in
Khajuraho and Orcha |
Khajuraho
is an ancient town famous for the stone carved temples depicting various
human moods and feelings. These temples are visited by tourists from all
over the world for their overwhelming charm and beauty. Khajuraho is a
delightful destination.Once you reach the city, the local public transport
will enable you to move around in the city. There are cycle rickshaws, auto
rickshaws and tour taxis available for the comfortable journey of the
tourists.
For the luxury of being escorted in the city comfortably and at reasonable
rates, then, contact us at the time of planning your visit. We with are wide
range of cars and coaches will be at your service and make your visit
memorable.
Orcha is a remote destination that lies at a distance of 170 kms from
Khajuraho. It is accessible from various parts of the country and is visited
for its magnificent monuments and temples. If one comes by air then
Khajuraho is the nearest airport from where taxis and buses can be hired and
if one reaches by rail then Jhansi is the nearest railway station from where
buses and taxis can be hired. The local transport system is also well
developed. The utmost convenience and comfort at your service is also
brought to you by our fleet of cars and coaches and ensure that your tour in
and around the place is cherishable. To avail our services you can book with
us at the time of planning tour to Orcha.
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Accommodations |
The accommodation available in Khajuraho and Orcha range from five
star to economy class depending upon the travelers' needs and budget. The
hotels provide the best staying facilities apart from rendering efficient
personalised services and hospitality. Hotel Sheesh Mahal is a prominent
hotel in Orcha. Orcha Resort is the only five-star hotel of the town.
khajuraho
and orchha temples
