Built by the Chandela Dynasty, the group of monuments at Khajuraho in northern India represent a masterpiece of Indian art and sculpture. Just 20 Khajuraho temples remain from an original 85. Built between 950 and 1050 the majestic temples belong to two religions; Hinduism and Jainism. Decorated with sublime sculptures and artwork the temples represent many facets of life.
Khajuraho … Who?
Khajuraho, interestingly, is the most visited tourist location in India after the Taj Mahal. However, I’m guessing that most of you who are reading this article have never heard of this cluster of temples which are dotted around the Khajuraho area. This obviously induces the question: why do they draw so many tourists? I have a one-word answer for you … sex!
Smut Porn or Homage to Love?
Yep, you read that correctly, the Khajuraho temples are tenderly known as the karma sutra temples. The erotic artwork that adorns the outer design of the temples accounts for around 10% of the overall craftwork depictions.
India is a conservative country where homosexuality was ruled illegal by the Supreme Court in 2013. Subsequently the government has routinely attempted – or indeed been successful – in censoring websites which feature ‘questionable’ content. The temples are thus an area of contention! Even Ghandi asked for the temples to be either censored, dismantled, or destroyed! In his words:
“These temples will show the whole world that we are not very moral people, that we are not puritans.”
One would perhaps therefore be forgiven if they were unaware that the Indian government has spent money restoring these monuments, with further contributions available to refurbish more dilapidated temples. But before the 13th Century India was different. She was a far more liberal territory and embraced the human emotions and values of sex and love.
What do the Khajuraho Temples Depict?
So what do the temples actually depict? The graphic carvings feature many conceivable sexual and erotic depictions, portrayals and representations. Virile men entangled with women, alone girls pleasuring themselves, couples copulating, threesomes conjugating, a melee of orgies, and soldiers fornicating with their horses. I’ve attached a few samples here for your viewing pleasure.
Considering the age of the monuments the carvings are in an impeccable condition for a structure whose age exceeds 1000 years. Nonetheless a few blemishes and imperfections exist although this should perhaps be expected.
Whatever the condition of the temples the blemishes cannot detract from the canopy of these magnificent structures for it is a potent message. It conveys love, devotion and sexual emancipation.
There are many people who consider the Khajuraho temples as more special than what is judged the world’s greatest monument to love, the Taj Mahal. I agree!
