Khajuraho, India

KAJURAHO

Khajuraho is a small city in Madhya Pradesh.
The name of the city was given by date palms (Kajura), in the thickets of which the pearl of world architecture, the temple complex of Khajuraho, was hidden for centuries.
The English army captain Burt, who accidentally opened the temples of Khajuraho to the world after centuries of oblivion, became Victorian indignant when he saw the figures depicted on the walls of the temples. And, indeed, there are no analogues to the temples of several religions, in the decoration of which erotic and religious motifs are mixed, cannot be found in the world.

Khajuraho is a real “must see” for an inquisitive tourist. The finest carving, the complexity of architectural solutions create a mysterious labyrinth in which everyone finds a hidden meaning, meaning and secret message. Therefore, it is not surprising that a city with a population of 10 thousand people every day packed with Boeings with tourists. People come here not only to look at the historical monuments included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, people come to Khajuraho seeking to understand the culture and philosophy of India.

Entertainment, excursions and sights of Khajuraho.
The erotic drawings and sculptures of the Khajuraho temples are a unique manifestation of the mysterious Indian philosophy and culture, for which the Kama Sutra is not only an art, but a way of religious worship.
The temples of Khajuraho were built at the turn of the tenth century AD, and after the fall of the Chandela dynasty, which started this incredible project, the temples fell into disrepair and were overgrown with jungle, where they remained in oblivion until 1830. Now, out of the original 85 temples, 22 have survived. Entrance to the temples costs $5 for foreign tourists (by the way, if you happen to have a ticket that you used to enter the Taj Mahal, you can use it here). The temples are open to the public from sunrise to sunset.
In the immediate vicinity of the temple complex is the Archaeological Museum (opening hours from 9-00 to 17-00), you can enter the museum with a ticket from the Western group of temples. In addition to the temples, it is worth watching a nightly laser-music show dedicated to the temples and their history. The cost of the event is 90 rupees.

In the vicinity of Khajuraho one can visit the Bandhavgarh National Park, which is said to be home to many tigers; walk along the 22-kilometer Ken Nature Trail, laid in the jungle; go to the Ajaygarh fort – located at an altitude of 688 meters above sea level, the former capital of one of the Indian principalities.
In March, Khajuraho hosts an annual dance festival.
Kitchen.
The cuisine of the region is famous for its sweet and spicy desserts. The best restaurant in the city is Green view Restaurant, whose interiors are designed in red and green. The restaurant is located in the area of ​​the Western group of temples.
Paradise Restaurant is a small but cozy restaurant offering tasty and inexpensive dishes, mango pancakes are especially good here. An excellent Indian restaurant with a great view of the Western group of temples – Blue Sky. You can drink real Indian coffee at Madras Coffee House (across the road from the Western group of temples) or at Raja Cafe, owned by two Swiss sisters (the kitchen is also Swiss). For supporters of vegetarian food, Agrawal Veg Restaurant is suitable.
shopping
In the shops of the city you can buy copper sculptures that repeat the most famous statues from the temples of Kajahuro in the poses of Kama Sutra (undoubtedly an original gift). If you get to Kajahuro on Tuesday, you can visit the local market, where silver and copper items will cost you much less.
Crafts Emporium – a fashionable store located on Jain Temple Road, offers original jewelry, stone and silver figurines and other products of Indian craftsmen.

Shimla – Himalayas

Shimla is the capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh, located at an altitude of 2213 meters above sea level among the powerful Himalayan hills covered with dense forest. Himalayan oaks, pines, rhododendrons and firs grow on picturesque slopes. This wonderful place was discovered and created by the British, who set up a summer capital here, fleeing the unbearable summer heat. Shimla has a colonial atmosphere – stunning mansions with antique furniture, beautiful architecture, clean streets. The city is located on a steep slope and the different “floors” are connected by an elevator. The only thing that reminds us of India is the monkeys that run through the streets and, unlike the latter, deftly climb the walls, looking through the windows and destroying the balconies.

Today’s Shimla is a popular mountain resort, one of the best in the country – with an elegant promenade, helipads, golf, cricket, horseback riding, good hotels. Wealthy Indians rest here, in the village of Mashobra located near the city there is the residence of the President of India. Europeans also love the city, but they use it mainly for transit stays on their way to the high Himalayas.

In order to feel the spirit of Shimla, from our point of view, the best accommodation option would be a colonial mansion (there are many of them in the city) – with creaky stairs, antique trays and completely personal service – there are very few rooms in such hotels. You can spend one, two or three days in the city – there is something to see (Hindu temples and colonial monuments) and what to do (horse riding, trekking, shopping on the main street).