Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Khajuraho

Top 10 Tourist attractions in Khajuraho

Khajuraho Tour Packages customised by Swan Tours include travel services such as reservation of train tickets to Khajuraho , Booking of quality accommodation at discounted rates , Excursions and sightseeing of Khajuraho and nearby places with certified travel guides .There are a number of interesting sites to see in and around Khajuraho for both the nature  and culture enthusiasts, the top 10 tourist attractions besides the famous eastern and western temple complexes are as below :

#1. Jarai Math Temple

The temple stands on the main Jhansi to Khajuraho road (22 kilometers from Jhansi). It is a lovely tenth century temple built within an enclosed courtyard. The structure consists of a square sanctum and towering roof or shikhara, and carved details along the temple wall. The doorway to the sanctum and the base of the entrance are profusely decorated with carved panels and the customary images of the purifying river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna (a feature common to all the temples at Khajuraho).

#2. Dhubela Museum

Situated a little off the Jhansi to Khajuraho road, this museum is about 65 kilometers from Khajuraho. It is an old palace set in a lovely forested area beside a lake. The museum houses Hindu sculptures (especially images of Mother Goddesses) found in the region, and weapons and paintings belonging to the Bundelkhand Rajput royal family of the region.

The Dhubela Museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm. It is closed on Mondays and public holidays.

#3. Raneh Waterfalls

The Ranch waterfalls lie 20 kilometers east of Khajuraho, easily accessible by car (if you are up to it, by bicycle). The road leads into a wooded area which opens out to the vast expanse of the Ken River. Gigantic sandstone boulders along the Ken river make this a perfect picnic and sunbathing spot. For the bird-watcher this is also an opportunity to study water fowl in their natural habitat beside the river.

Along a marked pathway you can follow the Ken river as it plunges down gorges. The pink sandstone boulders, sculpted by the water over the centuries, glow like burnished metal in the fading light of the setting sun.

#4. Mahoba

North of Khaimah°, through Rajnagar, arc several ancient sites associated with the Chandella rulers who built the magnificent temples of Khajuraho. Mahoba, about 65 kilometers from Khajuraho, is a historic town that vvas once the capital of the Chandclla dynasty. The town is quite crowded but the remains of Chandella rule are still visible in the ruined fort along the Madan Sagar, a lake that has two sadly neglected temples constructed on little islands in its midst. Near Mahoba is a pretty tank called Rahilya with another ruined temple.

#5. Benisagar Lake

Situated about 11 kilometers down t he Khajuraho to Bamitha road, the lake was created when a dam was built across the Khuddar River. It covers an area of over seven square kilometers and is a pleasant picnic spot and suitable for angling and boating.

#6. Ranguan Lake

On the main Bamitha to Panna road there are many lovely, picturesque spots such as Ranguan Lake (25 kilometres from Khajuraho). Take a car and a picnic and relax or fish beside the calm waters of the lake.

#7. Gangau Dam

Also just off the main Bamitha to Panna road, about 34 kilometers from Khajuraho, lies the confluence of the Ken and Simri rivers. The dam site and lake offer an ideal picnic spot to get a bit of sun and relaxation.

#8. Rajgarh Palace

This is one of loveliest sites outside Khajuraho. The deserted palace is visible from the main Bamitha to Panna road. Taking a turning at the village of Chandranagar, the palace is situated about 25 kilometers from Khajuraho at the foot of Maniyagarh Hills. You can visit it en route to the Ken River and Panna National Park.

A wooded hill forms the backdrop of the palace complex. There are ruined palatial apartments along the 35 metre climb up to the palace. The fort-cum-palace, about 150 years old, was built by the Parmar rulers of Chattarpur state who were employees of Rajgarh. The palace is built in the traditional style of the region, and like its counterparts in Orccha and Dada has a defensive exterior that opens into a wide, open courtyard. The apartments and rooms are built along the four sides of this courtyard. There is a splendid array of cool rooms with windows and doorways that capture the tiniest whisp of breeze. From the palace windows and doorways one can view the wonderful Dantla hills of Khajuraho, the flat plains and farmlands and, after a good monsoon, the reservoirs and lakes shimmering with abundant water.

#9. Ken River

There are several beautiful rivers that rise from the Vindhya hill ranges of central India. One of the prettiest is the Ken or Kiyen. The river flows in a northerly direction until it meets with the holy river Ganges. On the Bamitha to Panna road, there is a large bridge that takes you into Panna district and the Panna National Park.

There are two lovely spots, Gille’s Tree House and the Ken River Lodge where one can drive up (approximately one and a half kilometers off the main road) to the banks of the Ken river. Both sites have wonderful tree houses built on trees that overhang the river. There are rocks and tiny patches of sand where one can paddle, bathe, sunbathe and fish.

Gille’s Tree House offers cold drinks and hospitality to picnickers. Ken River Lodge has four rooms or cottage accommodation and dining facilities. They also organize theme parties and special outings to near-by sites like Panna National Park, Rajgarh Palace, Panna, and excursions to Bandhavgarh National Park. At present, for all bookings for accommodation contact the Manager of the Chandella Hotel, Khajuraho.

#10. Ajaygarh

This historic fort is perched on a high plateau about 80 kilometers from Khajuraho (via Panna). It was the capital of the Chandellas during its declining years.

A steep climb along a goat track up the hillside takes you through wooded areas. The fort walk hugs the rim of the plateau, and within the fort are remains of palaces, temples and tanks. The deserted fort is a wonderful site if you are partial to ruined temples and forgotten, unvisited romantic monuments.

For more information on Madhya Pradesh tour packages contact Swan Tours – Travel Agency in India since 1995.