Khajuraho is a town in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, located in Chhatarpur District. Khajuraho has the country's largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for their erotic sculptures.
Originally, a collection of 85 temples, the number has come down to 25. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple complex is divided into three spheres: the Western, Eastern, and the Southern. The Western group consists of the majority of temples, the Eastern comprises carved Jain temples while the Southern group has only a few temples. The Jain temples in the Eastern Group of temples were built for the flourishing Jainism in the region during the Chandela rule. The temples in the Western and Southern part are dedicated to various Hindu gods and goddesses. Out of these eight temples are dedicated to Vishnu, six to Shiva, and one each to Ganesha and Surya while three are for Jain Tirthankaras. The Kandariya Mahadeo temple is the largest of all the temples that remain.
Varanasi is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Also known as Benares, Banaras, or Kashi.
Varanasi has been a cultural center of northern India for several thousand years and is closely associated with the Ganges. Hindus believe that dying here and getting cremated along the banks of the "holy" Ganges river allows one to break the cycle of rebirth and attain salvation, making it a major center for pilgrimage.
The city is known worldwide for its many ghats, embankments made in steps of stone slabs along the river bank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions. Of particular note are the Dashashwamedh Ghat, the Panchganga Ghat, the Manikarnika Ghat, and the Harishchandra Ghat.
The Ramnagar Fort, near the eastern bank of the Ganges, was built in the 18th century in the Mughal style of architecture, featuring carved balconies, open courtyards, and scenic pavilions. Among the estimated 23,000 temples in Varanasi are Kashi Vishwanath Temple of Shiva, the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, and the Durga Temple. The Kashi Naresh (Maharaja of Kashi) is the chief cultural patron of Varanasi and an essential part of all religious celebrations.
The city has long been an educational and musical center: many prominent Indian philosophers, poets, writers, and musicians live or have lived in the city, and it was the place where the Benares Gharana form of Hindustani classical music was developed. One of Asia's largest residential universities is Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
Also, there are 15 mosques of significant historical value in Varanasi. Of particular note are the Abdul Razzaq, Alamgir, Bibi Razia, Chaukhambha, Dhai Nim Kangore, Fatman, Ganje Shahada, Gyanavapi, and Hazrat Sayyed Salar Masud Dargah. Many of these mosques were constructed from the components of the Hindu shrines which were destroyed under the auspices of subsequent Muslim invaders or rulers.
The two well-known mosques are the Gyanvapi Mosque and the Alamgir Mosque.
Best time to Visit
The best time to visit Varanasi & Khajuraho is Winter (November - February) since the temperature is low and there is a calm breeze throughout the day. Whereas in summers it experiences high and dry temperatures.
How to Reach
Air:
Khajuraho Airport is just six km away from the city center. There are a few flights to Khajuraho from Delhi as this small domestic airport is not connected with many cities in India, it has regular flights operating from Delhi and Varanasi. Taxis and autos are easily available from outside the airport.
Rail:
Khajuraho has its own railway station, which connects to other parts of India.
The second major railway station connecting Khajuraho with other Indian cities is in Mahoba, about 75 km away. Autos and taxis are easily available from outside both these stations.
Road:
Khajuraho enjoys excellent road connectivity with other cities in Madhya Pradesh. Several direct buses of MP tourism are available from cities in and around Madhya Pradesh like Satna (116 km), Mahoba (70 km), Jhansi (230 km), Gwalior (280km), Bhopal (375 km), and Indore (565 km). NH 75 connects Khajuraho to all these major destinations.
Arrival - Khajuraho
Arrival at Khajuraho airport or railway station. Our taxi vehicle will take you to your hotel where you can relax and rest. Later in the evening you may come out for a local market visit, do some shopping, and later attend an evening light & sound show. It is a special introductory program where you will hear the speech on Khajuraho temples history, Chandela dynasty, sculpture work, art, myths, etc. You can also do photography of Khajuraho temples under artificial light. If luckily you will be there on full moon night, great photography can be done. Overnight stay at the hotel Khajuraho.
Khajuraho - Varanasi
On this day, after taking breakfast, we will proceed for temples sightseeing. Our visit will begin from the Western Group of Temples. It is the large and most maintained group of temples and is declared as the UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you may hire a manual guide or take audio guide service. One by one you will visit all the temples. All the temples are well maintained and photogenic. Among them Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Laxmana Temples have a good collection of artistically sculptured images. During sightseeing, you will find erotic images on the outer wall and lower end of temples but not inside the temples. Later we will drive to the Eastern group of temples in which few temples are theirs with an impression of Jain religion. With this, our sightseeing will complete. Later in the afternoon drive to Khajuraho airport to take a flight to Varanasi. On reaching the holy city Varanasi, drive to your hotel. It is also known by the names of Benaras and Kashi. It is believed to the most ancient city of the World and a holy place for Hindu religion followers. If time permits, we will go for evening boating in the Ganges river to attend and photograph evening Ganga Arti. It an important event on Varanasi ghat. Overnight stay at the hotel in Varanasi.
Varanasi
This day we will do full day Varanasi sightseeing. Our day will begin with an early morning boat ride to witness the morning sunrise and capture the images. In addition to this, we will have a chance to see people taking a holy bath, performing their rituals, pooja (worship), etc. You may also take a holy dip in the river Ganges. Visit the famous Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga Temple on Varanasi ghat. It is an ancient and most popular active Varanasi temple. Here photography and leather items are not allowed. Now take breakfast at your hotel and resume your city tour. Visit other popular temples like Tulsi Manas Temple, Bharat Mata Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, etc. In the second half of the day, visit Ramnagar Fort from where the ruler of Kashi rules over this region. Royal family member still lives there. If time permits, visit the handloom industry of Benaras. Their products, especially Sarees, are popular in whole India and even abroad. Overnight stay at the hotel in Varanasi.
Varanasi - Departure
In the morning after breakfast, visit Sarnath. It is a small holy township, about 10kms from Varanasi. It is a historic place where Lord Buddha gave its first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Here we will visit the excavated sites having Dhamek Stupa, Dharmarajika Stupa, Ashoka pillar, building bases, etc. Also, visit the Sarnath museum.
Later in the afternoon, drive to Varanasi airport to take a flight to Delhi.
Hotels in Khajuraho
5-Star Property
1. The Lalit Temple View
2. Radisson Jass Hotel
3. Hotel Golden Tulip
4. Clarks Khajuraho
5. Ramada Khajuraho
4-Star Property
1. The Lalit Traveller Khajuraho
2. Hotel Heritage Siddhi lakeside
3-Star Hotel Property
1. Syna Heritage Hotel
2. Lalita Homestay Countryside
3. Ramayana Boutique Hotel
4. Hotel Harmony
5. Capital O 23129 Chelsea Palace
Hotels In Varanasi
5-Star Property
1. BrijRama Palace- A Heritage Hotel
2. Taj Nadesar Palace
3. Rivatas By Ideal
4. Taj Ganges
5. Radisson Hotel
4-Star Property
1. Amritara Suryauday Haveli
2. Hotel Surya, Kaiser Palace
3. The Amayaa
4. Hotel Varanasi Inn
5. Hotel Tridev
3-Star Property
1. Stay Banaras
2. HosteLaVie
3. Go Stops Varanasi
4. Hotel Buddha
5. Hotel Le Lotus Grand
Inclusions:
Accommodation
Pick-up
Drop
Sightseeing
Exclusions:
Entry Fees to any place
Lunch Dinner
Taxes
