I’ve had a couple of miserable travel days in the last week, but they have been worth it. A 12 hour combination train and two bus rides got me from Bhopal to Khajuharo. Khajuharo was the capital of an Indian Kingdom which lasted fromthe 10th to the 13th centuries. The temple building era lasted only just over a hundred years, before they retreated to their forts where they hung on for a long time. The complex they left behind was an exuberant expression of the joys of living a spiritual life to it’s fullest. Not only are the temples of architectural excellence, but the sculpted exteriors show beautifully, often erotically, the daily lives of a people comfortable with their place in the world.
 
Here is a close up of part of the exterior sculpture.
Let’s face it, most people go for the eroticism. Most of it is pretty tame. Some involves groups. One involves a horse. This first series is cute. First the couple is warming up, then they’re getting into it, then they get interrupted by a monkey which they are shooing away.
Finally, they can get back to business. There is a problem with one of the guy’s heads. His other brain is soldiering on.
Here are groups. I like the one where the woman is looking on through her upraised palms.
And finally, here is everybody’s favorite, including the woman’s whose head is in the shade. If you could see her, she’s peeking through her palms. Saddle up.
I think the people back then enjoyed their art as much as you have. Why not. Life can be fun.
From Khajuharo I went to Varanasi on another 14 hour government bus ride. I’ve got the photos uploaded, and will blog about this place soon, maybe from Lucknow, where I’m going tomorrow.
Until then….