India / Khajuraho / The Village

They are superb examples of Indo-Aryan architecture, but it's the decorations with which they are so liberally embellished, that have made Khajuraho famous. Around the temples are bands of exceedingly fine and artistically carved stonework. The sculptors have shown many aspects of Indian life, 1000 years ago - gods and goddesses warriors and musicians, real and mythological animals.

These temples were built by the Chandellas, a dynasty that survived for five centuries before falling to the onslaught of Islam. Almost all Khajuraho's temples record a century long burst of creative genius from 950-1050 AD

Basically all the temples follow a three-p layout you enter the temple through a porch, known as the Ardhamandapa. Behind this is the hail or Mahamandapa, supported with pillars and with a corridor around it. A vestibule then leads into the Garbhagriha, the inner sanctum, where the image of the - to which The temple is dedicated is displayed.

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