Ladakh is a land like no other. Bounded by two of
the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the
Karakoram, it lies athwart two other, the Ladakh range and the Zanskar
range. Ladakh lies at altitudes ranging from about 9,000 feet (2750m)
at Kargil to 25,170 feet (7,672m) at Saser Kangri in the Karakoram.
The temples of Khajuraho are India's unique gift to the world, representing,
as they do, a paean to life, to love, to joy; perfect in execution and sublime
in expression. Life, in every form and mood, has been capured in stone, testifying
not only to the craftsman's artistry but also to the extraordinary breadth of
vision of the Chandela Rajputs under whose rule the temples were conceived and
constructed.
The world renowned temple town of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh designated by
UNESCO as a world heritage site for its archaeological and historical monuments.
The Khajuraho temples were built in the short span of a hundred years, from
950-1050AD in a truly inspired burst of creativity. Of the 85 original temples,
22 have survived till today to constitute one of the world's great artistic
wonders.
The Creators of Khajuraho claimed descent from the moon and the legend behind
the founding of this great dynasty and the temples is a fascinating one. Hemwati,
the lovely young daughter of a Brahmin priest, was seduced by the moon-god while
bathing in a forest pool. The child born of this union was Chandravarman, founder
of the Chandela dynasty. Brought up in the forests by his mother who sought
refuge from a sensorious society, Chandravarman, when established as a ruler,
had a dream-visitation from his mother. It is said that she implored him to
build temples that would reveal human passions, and in doing so, bring about
a realization of the emptiness of human desire. It is also possible that the
Chandelas were followers of the Tantric cult, which believes that gratification
of earthly desires is a step towards attaining the infinite liberation of nirvana.
Why they chose Khajuraho, even then a small village, as the site for their great
complex is also open to of their faith and the many beliefs represented in the
temples, the Chandelas conceived Khajuraho as a seat of religion and learning,
to bring together many sects.
With their decline, the temples lay forgotten for many centuries, covered by
the encroaching forests, victim to the ravages of the elements. Re-discovered
only in this century, restored and claned, the temples of Khajuraho once again
testify to a past glory.
Architecturally too, they are unique, being very different from the temple prototype
of their period. Each stands on a high masonry platform with a marked upward
direction in the structure, further enhanced by vertical projections to create
the effect of grace and lightness. Each of the chief compartments is mounted
by its own roof, grouped so that the highest is in the centre, the lowest over
the portico; a highly imaginative recreation of the rising peaks of the Himalayas,
abode of the gods.
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