The Story of Khajuraho

The Story of Khajuraho' is a new work on Khajuraho, a world heritage site, tracking the legendary and mystic story of union between Hemawati and the Moon. This gives the background of ideology behind the construction of the temples and approach towards erotic panels at Khajuraho. the book provides an integrated view of sculpture through four leading temple i.e Lakshmana temple Viswanth temple Parshvanath temple, and Kandariya Mahadeva Temple. The Book will be welcomed by every visitor to Khajuraho and others who want to peep into the Indian ethos and culture.

Born in the land of Chandelles at Barwa Sager, District Jhansi, Dr Agrawal is a well Know author. He has to his credit more than fifty books so far in Hindi and in English. Dr Agrawal is famous for his simple, straightforward and public spirited writing. His writings reflect various aspect of the Indian art, mythology, culture and civillsation. After serving successfully about thirty four years in I.A.S, Dr. Agarwal is presently partner in Khaitan & Co., New Delhi, a leading law firm in India.

The temples of Khajuraho are the World Heritage Site. These were built by the Chandellas. these magnificent temples attract lot of foreign tourists. the temples not only depict amorous couples in stones but also display life in medieval times. There are well meaning carvings of gods and goddesses, warriors musicians, real any mythical animals, and, of course, the celestial nymphs.

Dr. P.K. Agarwal in his fictional work entitled, The Story of Khajuraho, has unfolded the myth about the legendary union of Hemawati, the local beautiful maiden, with Moon god which is the main story behind the construction of these glorious temples. While narrating the story, Dr. P.K. Agrawal has dwelt on the sculptures of temples and made the construction process very interesting. This book has been written in the backdrop of the Indian ethos and culture.

I don't know what veracity can be attributed to this story from historical point of view, yet someone has come out with his own version. Dr. Agrawal has done his job well because he comes from the same Bundelkhand region.

Dr. P.K. Agrawal is a public-spirited writer. I am sure that this book will be welcomed by all those who are interested in knowing the background of the intricate art and architecture of these temples which are pride of India.

Khajuraho is a wonder of mystic sex in stone. The temples at Khajuraho are more than a millennium old. The antiquity has not reduced their beauty but has been adding grandeur and importance day by day. The pleasures in life have been engraved on the stone panels of the Khajuraho temples so thoroughly that these figures absorb the visitor for a while and take him to some other world of fancy and excitement. The erotic images are unique features of the sculpture of Khajuraho. But there is a deep meaning of each carving at Khajuraho co-related with the Hindu pantheon and the Indian ethos and culture.

As a person coming from the land of Chandellas, I tried to weave the local supporting juicy legends of history into a story. It is an interesting story. The beautiful maiden Hemavati had the union with the Moon to save her father Maniram from the royal punishment for his astronomical error. Her brave son Chandravarman laid the foundation of the Chandelle empire. The successive kings continued to build temples at Khajuraho as their religious and cultured capital. However construction and architecture of important and representative temples only could be discussed in this work to continue the web of the story. The temples pay silent tribute to the love between Hemavati and the Moon.

These temples stand alone and preach love, beauty and tenderness to the world community. Tourists visit these temples as the best sex-destination in the world. But sex is the tip of the iceberg of the sculpture of Khajuraho.

Every visitor whether the Indian or foreigner is wonder struck after the visit of Khajuraho. This work is to satisfy his curiosity regarding ambit of construction of temples at Khajuraho.

'The Story of Khajuraho' is lucid and interesting. It entertains the readers profusely. I now, don't want to come in between the story and the reader which will unfold as freely as the art form at Khajuraho.

I am very grateful to Mr. Pranav Gupta, Director of MD Publications Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, for his kind cooperation and support for this book

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