Khajuraho Group of Monuments (Kandariya Mahadeva and Matangeshwar)
Khajuraho, Chhatarpur district · Shiva (Kandariya Mahadeva, Matangeshwar), Vishnu (Lakshmana), Devi, Surya and Jain Tirthankaras
A UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chandela-era Nagara temples, with the living Matangeshwar Shiva temple still in worship.
Khajuraho's temples were built mainly between about 885 and 1050 CE by the Chandela rulers. Of about 85 temples, roughly 25 survive in Western, Eastern and Southern groups. They are celebrated for Nagara architecture and thousands of sculptures, a small share of them erotic. Kandariya Mahadeva is the greatest; Matangeshwar, beside the Western Group, is still a working Shiva temple. UNESCO listed the site in 1986.
Timings
- Western Group (ASI): Sunrise to sunset (approx. 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM), all days
- Eastern and Southern groups: Daylight hours
- Matangeshwar Temple: approx. 6:00 AM onwards; closing time reported variously (10:00 AM to 10:00 PM in different sources) – check locally
- Light and sound show – English: approx. 6:30 PM (winter), 7:30 PM (summer)
- Light and sound show – Hindi: approx. 7:40 PM (winter), 8:40 PM (summer)
- Note: Show times are from a non-official 2026 listing; the show is not held during the Dance Festival. Confirm with MP Tourism.
Darshan types and costs
- ASI entry ticket – Western Group – approx. ₹40 for Indian/SAARC/BIMSTEC visitors (₹35 online); ₹600 for foreigners (₹550 online); children under 15 free – Check ASI site
- Eastern and Southern groups – Reported free – Check locally
- Matangeshwar Temple – Free
- Light and sound show – approx. ₹250 (Hindi) – ₹350 (English); foreigners higher – Check MP Tourism
- Audio guide / licensed guide – Varies
Sevas and costs
- Jalabhishekam at Matangeshwar – Free (bring or buy water/flowers) (During open hours, best early morning)
- Rudrabhishekam at Matangeshwar – Varies – arranged with temple priests (By arrangement)
- Matangeshwar evening aarti – Free (Daily, around sunset)
- Shiv Vivah (Mahashivratri) festival – Free (Three days around Mahashivratri (Feb–Mar; 2027: approx. 6 March))
- Kartik Purnima at Matangeshwar – Free (Kartik Purnima (Oct–Nov))
How to book darshan
Buy the ASI ticket at the Western Group counter or online on the ASI e-ticket portal. Matangeshwar is free. Book the light and sound show at the venue or through MP Tourism, and MP Tourism hotels on mptourism.com.
Dress code
Modest clothing; remove shoes at Matangeshwar and inside temple sanctums.
Best time to visit
October to March. The Khajuraho Dance Festival is held around February.
How to reach
- air: Khajuraho Airport (HJR), about 2 km from the temple sites (per MP Tourism), with flights to Delhi and other cities depending on the season.
- rail: Khajuraho station, about 5 km from town, with limited trains. Mahoba Junction (about 78 km) and Jhansi (about 175 km) have more connections.
- road: About 10 km off the national highway from Chhatarpur (about 46 km). Buses and taxis from Jhansi, Satna, Panna and Chhatarpur.
Festivals
- Mahashivratri / Shiv Vivah – Feb–Mar (2027: approx. 6 March – confirm with a panchang)
- Khajuraho Dance Festival – Late February (52nd edition: 20–26 February 2026; 2027 dates not yet announced)
- Kartik Purnima – Oct–Nov