Khajuraho Temples

Built between 950 and 1050 CE by the Chandela dynasty, the Khajuraho group originally comprised around 85 temples, of which about 20 survive today, split across Western, Eastern and Southern groups. The Western Group is the main ticketed complex and the most visited, home to the largest and most elaborately carved structures including Kandariya Mahadev Temple, known for its soaring spire and dense sculptural detail.

The temples are built in Nagara-style architecture from sandstone and granite, and are internationally known for their sculpture — bands of carved figures depicting daily life, mythology and relationships wrap around every major structure. Unlike a single building, the Western Group is laid out across open lawns connecting the temples, giving genuinely more room to compose a shot than most single-structure heritage sites.

The Eastern Group, a short distance away, is noticeably quieter than the Western Group and worth knowing about specifically if a shoot wants space without the bigger tour crowds. An evening Light & Sound show runs separately from daytime entry, with different timings across winter and summer.