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INDIA: KHAJURAHO
KHAJURAHO
THE CITY:
Khajuraho was founded in the 9th and 10th century by the rulers of the Chandela
Dynasty, and influenced by Tantrism. Eroticism becomes a theme of philosophical
interest and the aim is sublimation of sexual relationship in the Sexual act or
"Maithun", women being regarded as the incarnation of the divine energy or
"Shakit". It is also possible that the carvings of Khajuraho were influenced by "Kama
Sutra", the famous treatise on erotic arts written by Vatsyayana in the time of the
Guptas. The erotic love making images of celestial nymphs, gods and goddesses
sculpted in delicate detail have caught the imagination of people from all over the
world.
In 1838 Captain T.S. Burt, an officer in the Bengal Engineers, followed up local
rumours and 'discovered' the great temple complex rising above the jungle in
Khajuraho in 1838. He wrote of his 'discovery' for the Asiatic Society. Khajuraho was
one of the capitals of the Chandela Rajput kings. Out of the original 84 temples only
22 survive today. If it were not for Khajuraho's remoteness, there would probably be
fewer temples surviving.
