Khajuraho

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a collection of Hindu and Jain temples in the Madhya Pradesh district of India, around 175 kilometers southeast of Jhansi. They have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples are known for their architectural symbolism in the Nagara style, as well as a few sexual sculptures.

The Chandela dynasty erected the majority of the temples at Khajuraho between 885 and 1050 AD. According to historical accounts, the Khajuraho temple complex contained 85 temples scattered over 20 square kilometers by the 12th century. Only roughly 25 temples have remained, covering a total area of six square kilometers. The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, one of the few remaining temples, is adorned with a plethora of sculptures with complex workmanship, symbolism, and expressiveness typical of ancient Indian art.

When these monuments were constructed, the local boys lived in hermitages as brahmcharis (bachelors) until they reached adulthood, and these sculptures assisted them in learning about the worldly position of "householder." The Khajuraho group of temples were erected in tandem but were devoted to two religions: Hinduism and Jainism, implying a legacy of tolerance and respect for differing religious beliefs among Hindus and Jains in the region.