India: Khajuraho

Khajuraho

The Khajuraho temples are famous for their erotic carvings, some of which are quite graphic. I didn't know quite what to expect. The detail in the carvings, particularly in the Western Group of temples, is stunning. The erotic carvings are surprising because the depictions are even by modern standards usually considered pornography.

The purpose of erotic carvings is unknown though subject to much speculation. Little seems to be known about the builders of these temples. When the temples were built a 1000 ago years, this was a remote kingdom. It's still a remote place. Other than a small town with the hotels, restaurants and shops that spring up wherever there are tourists, the surrounding area is either sparsely populated, low intensity agriculture or jungle in every direction for at least 100 miles.

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The temples today are still actively used. While tourists predominate, there are a good number of local people leaving offerings or praying.

The woman covering her eyes fascinates me about this relief. It's a common motif in the carvings and can be seen else where as well. Clearly it signifies revulsion at the scene but it's not clear as to whether the intent to depict prudishness or indite the act as immoral.