5 Places You Should Explore In And Around Khajuraho

For history buffs, one of the top places to visit in India is undoubtedly the ancient town of Khajuraho. Declared as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, the group of monuments in central India stand as the architectural pride of Chandela Rajput Dynasty, and includes a range of Hindu (dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu) and Jain temples. As per legend, there were over 100 marvellous monuments back in the era, but now, only 25 stands through the test of time. Mesmerising all with its craftsmanship, the temples of course rank first in things to do in Khajuraho. But there's more to explore in and around to make for a memorable holiday.

If you have been planning a trip to Khajuraho for the longest time, think no further and get down to booking your tickets already. A great weekend getaway from Delhi, there's much to discover and fall in love with. To get you started, we list down a list of five things to do in Khajuraho:

1. Visit the Khajuraho temples

The Khajuraho group of temples is segregated into three sections: western, eastern and southern. The western zone is the largest and houses about six temples, of which the Kandariya Mahadeva is the largest and most popular. While the temples differ from each other because of various design elements, most of them follow the nagara-style structure with intricately detailed erotic sculptures. If you look closely, you will realise that the design highlights Hindu principles of dharma, kama, artha and moksha.

(Also read: 9 Holiday Destinations In Rajasthan That Should Be On Your Checklist)

 

Too much beauty #khajuraho #templesinkhajuraho #incredibleindia #instatravel #madhyapradesh #weekend

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2. Raneh Falls

For nature lovers, Raneh Falls is a must visit, especially after monsoon when it come to life. What adds to its beauty is the stunning canyon with multiple waterfalls, most of which runs throughout the year. The river that flows through is the Ken river, adding all the beauty. It's about 25 km away from the town.

 

One of the least-known tourist places in India, the rare and fascinating Raneh Falls is a mini version of USA’s Grand Canyon. A natural waterfall, with deep canyons formed with multi-hued pure crystalline granite, this is truly a paradise for nature lovers. A must visit when in/around Khajuraho! . . . #MadhyaPradesh #naturephotography #InstaNature #Naturegram #travelgram #travelphotography #InstaTravel #indiapictures #indiagram #IncredibleIndia #RanehFalls #Khajuraho #InstaPic #naturelovers #NatureShot #Waterfall #rock #mptourism #TravelDiaries #travelingram #natureporn #ig_nature #Throwback #ig_india #canonphotography

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3. Panna National Park

Most travellers combine their Khajuraho trip with a visit to the Panna National Park. The wildlife destination makes from a great escape to soak in nature's beauty and enjoy a luxurious stay at the many resorts that dot it. You can sign up for a safari to try your luck at spotting tiger, leopard, nilgai, sambhar, sloth bear, etc.

 

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4. Ajaigarh Fort

In Panna, a popular place to visit is the Ajaigarh Fort. Standing on a hilltop, it offers a spectacular view of the surrounding Vindhya Hills. Built during the Chandela Rajput Dynasty, it houses two temples with many spectacular stone carved monuments to marvel at, besides the old-world charm.

 

Ajaigarh Fort, located in the Panna district of Madhya Pradesh, is bordered by the beautiful Vindhya hills and provides an absolutely stunning view of the Ken river. The grand fort is noted for its rich historical past and architectural beauty, and speaks volumes about the Chandela dynasty. #ajaigarhfort #ajaigarh #panna #madhyapradesh #heritage #incredibleindia #goodearthpublications Photo credit: Uttam Gurjar

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5. A trip to Orchha

If art and architecture catches your fancy, then club your trip to Khajuraho with Orchha to witness the best of both, Chandela and Bundela Dynasties. Orchha is said to have been founded by King Rudra Pratap Singh during the 16th century, and it still holds its charm. Must-visits include Raja Mahal, Ram Temple, Royal Chhatris and the Mughal monument Jahangir Mahal.

 

Orchha means 'hidden', this beautiful small town is really a hidden gem in the whole of Indian tourism. Situated on the shores of Betwa river in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, Orchha has a number of skillfully crafted, centuries old temples, forts and havelis. There is a wildlife sanctuary as well, across the river. Personally I found this little town fascinating than all the other places that I visited during my one week long vacation that included Khajuraho, Varanasi and Kolkata. Ironically it was the least popular place of all of them, may be the inadequate facilities provided for the tourists could be the reason for Orchha's hiding from the travel map. . . #temple #Orchha #ancient #MP #India #incredibleindia #architecture #solo #travel #instagood #archeology #sculptures #ip #indiapictures #sunset

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So head to Khajuraho to get a glimpse of India's rich cultural past.