Orchha and Khajuraho
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We took the Shatabdi train from Agra
to Jahnsi and a 10 mile coach ride to Orchha. Coolies
took our luggage to the train, but it never got on. Our
tour manager omitted to check on this. Hummm. We had to
wait many hours for it to arrive in Orchha.
Orcha (meaning "Hidden
Place") is a small pictoresque village with many
old crumbling palaces, a lively market and many colorful
painted houses.
Our train at Agra station |
Raj Mahal Palace |
Frescos about Hindu legends |
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View from Palace window |
Sari in the wind |
Orcha Market |
Khajuraho
Built around 1000 A.D., the temples
of Khajuraho are India's immortal gift of sensual love
to the world. Their playful murals portray diverse erotic
possibilities and celebrate the essential sensuality of
human nature. Of the 85 temples only about 20 remain.
We visited the famous Western group, which are enclosed
within a beautifully laid-out park.
Traditionally, love or kama, symbols
of life and creation, had religious sanction as one of
the aims of pursuits of life, along with piety and economic
pursuit. The full attainment of all three leads to moksha
or salvation. Depictions of loving human couples, as in
the Kama Sutra, were seen as auspicious
signs of fertility that would ward off evil and bestow
great merit on the visitors.
Vamana Temple |
Dedicated to Vishnu |
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The village of Khajuraho has only a few thousand people, and
the main street opposite the temples are lined with souvenirs
shops. Most of the local people were nice and not too
pushy.
Henna hand painting |
Street Vendor |
Gas truck |
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