Khajuraho- The Temples Of Moksh And Kamasutra

The Khajuraho temples, popularly known as the Kamasutra temples of India, have aroused curiosity with their seemingly brazen depiction of eroticism. Khajuraho was an ancient city in the Madhya Pradesh region of northern India. From the 10th to 12th century CE it was the capital of the Chandella kings who ruled Bundelkhand. 

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The Khajuraho Group of Monuments, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

What led to the creation of Khajuraho temples?

As per the legends, there was a beautiful brahmin girl named Hemvati after whom the Khajuraho temples were built. One day, when she was bathing in a pond in Benaras, the Moon God was swooned by her beauty, and could not wait any longer to consume her as lust overpowered him, she was seduced by him and later she conceived a child. However, she feared that her child might have to face harassment as he was born out of wedlock. Her fear comes true when people from her village used to humiliate her saying her son is bastard or she was a characterless girl… She was so distressed that she cursed the Moon God, who later prophesied that the child will grow up to become a great king.

Timepass by and she moved out of her village and made her house beside the river karnavati( now river ken). Later she delivered a boy and named him after the moon, she named boy Chandravarman. By the time the boy was of 16 years old it is said that he could kill a Lion with just stone. It was also said that he could kill a big Lion just with a stick. Just like the prophecy, the child indeed grew to become a great king, who founded the Chandela dynasty. One day, after Hemvati passed away, her son saw her in his dreams, where she asked him to construct temples that would depict human passions and even He wants her mother to get justice so he decided to build temples and sculptures referring human nature … Chandelas always has respect for women they never disrespect any woman in there dynasty

Warning: If you’re easily offended by sexual images, you might want to stop scrolling right here.

According to the legends, Khajuraho was named as Khajuraho because the main gate of the city had two golden Date (Khajur) trees. Chandarbardai, the author of Prithviraj Raso has also mentioned Khajuraho as Khajur Pura

Khajuraho’s Temple Art- Khajuraho temples are famous for their erotic sculptures and how this form of unconventional art blends with religion and spirituality together. There are many theories that attempt to explain why erotic art is displayed on the walls of these temples. According to the Vedas, each human being has four goals in life (Purusharthas) dharma, artha, kama and moksha. The temples of Khajuraho display all four and therefore depict the wholeness of life.

Another theory suggests that the art and sculpture of Khajuraho represents the practices of ulterior Tantric sects. The erotica may also be understood on a metaphorical level. For example, the entwined couples represent the union of the individual human soul with the divine.

Quite interestingly, only 10 per cent of the carvings on the temple complex depict sexual themes. The rest of the carvings depict everyday life of the common man that existed during those times. While some sculptures display women applying makeup, there are others that showcase potters, shoulders, musicians, farmers, and other common folks going about their daily routines in medieval times. The most common belief, which has no basis, is that since the carvings are in Khajuraho temples, this means the carvings are depicting sex between deities. The Kandariya Mahadev Temple in the Khajuraho complex is the best example of this.

During the golden period of the Chandela dynasty. It is presumed that every Chandella ruler built at least one temple in his lifetime.

It is considered that these temples are a celebration of womanhood as they depict sculptures of heavily ornamented broad-hipped and busty but well-proportionate women (apsaras) adorning the temple walls. The well-contoured bodies of the nymphs grab attention and they can be seen engaging in activities like putting on make-up, washing their hair, playing games and knotting and unknotting their girdles.

It is believed that the erotic sculptures, amongst them nymphs, with their sensuous poses and pouting expressions are a way of giving importance to wellbeing and love of life. According to the Brihat Samhita, mithunas(Gemini), goblins, creepers and erotic sculptures were meant to be carved on the temple door to bring good luck. This was linked to the idea of young boys during the medieval era practising brahmacharya, in which they were required to live in hermitage until they matured and became adult men, thus these sculptures are said to have been made to prepare them for the worldly desires and learn about them. basically, these erotic sculptures are for to learn about sex education.

Coitis Mistry and Art-
Erotic sexual arts depict various sexual expressions of different human beings based on the core Hindu theme of Moksha. In many erotic sculptures, you can see people doing sex while being in meditation at the same time. A couple embracing each other depicts Purusha (Essence) and Prakriti (Nature) of life.

There are also other believe that it was thought that Moksha can only be attained by leaving behind the worldly things but in reality, the Moksha can still be obtained while living a normal life. Some stories go like to recreate fascination among the people because of Buddhism, the king made such temples.

Here is another belief that says the carvings of mithunas are symbols of good luck along with several sculptures that showcase mythical creatures. Another interpretation says they served as a form of sex education, by rekindling passions in the ascetic minds of people, who were probably influenced by Buddhism.

And there are several interpretations that speak of varying beliefs in Hinduism that seem to be in the fore. One of them speaks about leaving your lust and desires behind before entering the temple which is probably why there are no carvings of sex inside the temples. The Mithunas or the couples in love are only portrayed on the outside walls of the shrines. My guide, Gopalji tells me that it is a  depiction of the Hindu philosophy of Dharma, Artha, Kama , Moksha . Perhaps you can attain nirvana, once you are done with all your worldly pleasures.

However, another theory depiction of Tantric cult and beliefs. The Chausath Yogini temple, a Tantric temple dedicated to 64 goddesses is the oldest temple in Khajuraho. A mystical air hangs around it, although all the shrines are empty.  It is believed that Khajuraho is charged with energy and the 64 yoginis control the very essence of life, balancing both body and mind together. While reading upon various tantric beliefs, one of them even compared the Mithunas making love as a metaphor, representing the sexual imagery of the life force a union of Shiva and Shakthi. The philosophy even extends to the architecture. Some see even the design as a symbol of the union of Shiva and Shakti

Another interpretation even goes to say that the temples themselves are designed as a form of the seductress. And there is this belief centred around the tantric cult that explains that the sculptures are metaphors and are actually a form of language, a form of educating the various doctrines of the cult through symbols and imagery.

They are divided into three main groups Western, Eastern and Southern. Most of the erotic sculptures are seen in the Western Group of temples. A few temples in the Eastern Group are dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras.

The most captivating monument is the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Interestingly, not all the carvings on the outer and inner walls are erotic. Only ten per cent of the sculptures exhibit sensuality. These carvings depict the physical as well as the cosmic union of man and woman. To understand what it means, let us know the philosophy attached to it. Kama (desire) or sexual intimacy is believed to be an integral part of life. It results in reproduction, which in turn is responsible for the birth of a new life. Hence these idols that depict various sensual postures reflect the sexual practices between the two different genders. This physical intimacy portrays the relationship between a couple since time immemorial. And this is one of the fundamental aspects of life.

I sure no other destination evokes so many different responses like Khajuraho does. The erotic sculptures of Khajuraho are the cynosure of all eyes and yet, you get varied reactions from people who visit the town and the temples of Khajuraho. While some are cynical, others cringe. A few are embarrassed, others are disappointed. The vendors on the street sell Kamasutra packaged as paintings or books or crude carvings depicting various forms of lovemaking.