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| Khajuraho Group of Monuments - India |
Khajuraho (Kama Sutra Temples),
Orchha, & Train Ride, India (2/18-19/2013) – The famous Kama Sutra temples in Khajuraho
have much more meaning than just erotic sexual positions – although those are
interesting.
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| Khajuraho Group of Monuments - India |
About 1,000
years ago before printed books, the Chandela kings developed 28 fascinating
temples in Khajuraho where the detailed hand-carved sculptures depict a way of
life where people could come to learn. With distinctive artistic expression,
the sculptures express everyday life of the common Indian including women
putting on makeup, musicians, potters, farmers, war scenes, and or course the
many exotic sexual positions that the Khajuraho Temples have become famous for.
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| Horsing Around - Khajuraho (Kama Sutra Temples), India |
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| Famous Exotic Handstand Position - Khajuraho (Kama Sutra Temples), India |
Located about
385 miles southeast of New Delhi, the Khajuraho Group of Monuments
is the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples and is a popular tourist
destination. Although only about 10% of the sculptures depict the highly erotic sex
themes, the Khajuaho Temples have become known as the Kama Sutra temples. The erotic sculptures are interesting
because of what is now considered shocking group orgies and expletive sex even
with animals (see photos). Check out the handstand position.
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| Exotic Sculputures - Khajuraho (Kama Sutra Temples |
Several
observations became apparent to us as we viewed these interesting depictions of
everyday life. The obvious is that 1,000 years ago Hindu Indians enjoyed a
freer expression of life where they enjoyed life, including sexual pleasure. A
few centuries later, when Islamic rulers took over, things changed. Another
observation that Pat picked up from the non-sexual sculptures was that women
were respected and treated well.
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| Holy Man - Orchha, India |
Having much
more meaning than the heavily marketed erotic sex sculptures, many of the Khajuraho
Temples are very sacred to the Hindus and visited by many people from India. In
the mist of all this, the colors of India are marvelous – the women in their
colorful clothing, flowers, and richly painted buildings. Color is everywhere in
India and the food is wonderful.
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| Khajuaho Old Village - India |
After a
walk through Khajuaho’s old village, we had a wonderful time with our new
Canadian friends sharing a few beers in a one-table tree house at the Blue Sky Restaurant enjoying an amazing
view of the western Khajuraho Temples (see photo).
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| Cow in Railway Station - India |
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| Indian Family |
We also took a ride on an Indian train. Interesting, the Indian Railways
is the largest employer in India serving about 3 million passengers every day plus a huge amount of freight. We took the Shatabdi Express train from Agra to Jhansi. Although a
bit run down by European or North American standards with obvious delayed
maintenance issues and often late, the Shatabdi Express trains (see photo) are considered
the best in India. They are a series of fast (called superfast in India) passenger
trains operating around major cities.
The
Shatabdi Express train we took was confortable and relatively inexpensive (2 ½
hour ride for about $15/person) and ours ran only 15 minutes late. A small meal
was served (“Meals on Wheels”). It was pretty nice although we passed on using
the provided metal knife because of the fingerprints on it.
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| Jehangir Mahal - Orchha, India |
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| Langur Monkey Mom & Baby at Jehangir Majal - Orchha, India |
On the way to visit the temples in Khajuaho, we stopped in Orchha (or Urchha). Built on
the bank of the Betwa River is the huge palace fort of Jehangir Mahal with its steep stairways and beautiful temple spires
(see photo). Built in the 16th century, Jehangir Mahal represents
the pinnacle of medieval Islamic architecture. Langur monkeys play along the
rooftops.
The sights
and smells of India hit you as soon as you arrive. The interesting smells
engulf you initiating you to your new world like making a new friend. Obviously
apparent, India is a young country with a large amount of its population below
the age of 30.
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| Khajuraho (Kama Sutra Temples) - India |
Travel tips... India has three main seasons - hot
and humid Summer (March to May), Monsoon (June to September), and Winter
(milder summer). The best time to visit is during the winter between November
and February – the weather is the best in February. Locals can manage to speak
in broken English and those working in hotels, many restaurants, businesses, and
belonging to middle, upper middle and high class can speak fluent English.
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| Indian Family |
Staying healthy in India... Most visitors choose bottled water that can be
purchased reasonably cheaply. When buying water from street vendors, make sure
the lid is sealed and not refilled with tap water. Make sure you rinse your
toothbrush with bottled water and keep your mouth closed when showering. It is
also wise to be careful what you eat. Outside of major tourist hotels and
restaurants, particularly risky things to stay away from are raw leafy
vegetables and egg-based dressings like mayonnaise, and minced meat. To be safe,
you should stick to boiled, baked, fried, or peeled goods.
Please see our other 6 travel blog posts about incredible India:
Taj Mahal, India
Mumbai (Bombay), India
Goa Beaches, India
Cremations on Ganges River - Varanasi, India
Jaipur (The Pink City) & Amber Fort, India
New Delhi, India (Capital)
Please see our other 6 travel blog posts about incredible India:
Taj Mahal, India
Mumbai (Bombay), India
Goa Beaches, India
Cremations on Ganges River - Varanasi, India
Jaipur (The Pink City) & Amber Fort, India
New Delhi, India (Capital)
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