History of Khajuraho

Most of the temples at Khajuraho were built in a short span of about a hundred years, between 950 and 1050 AD.The Chandela dynasty claimed its descent from a Brahmin priest's daughter, Hemvati, who is said to have fallen in love with Chandra, the moon-god, while bathing in a secluded pool. The child of this union, Chandravarman, founded the dynasty. Inscriptions found near the temples show that Harshadeva ruled in the early 10th century, and was followed by Yasovarman, Dhanga and Vidyadhara. As each of them expanded the Chandela kingdom, they also made additions to the temple complex.

At the height of their empire, the Chandelas ruled over almost the entire present-day Madhya Pradesh. The first Muslim invasions of India came during the reign of Vidyadhara. A turbulent period followed during which the Chandelas moved to hill forts to defend their kingdom against Muslim attacks. Their rule eventually ended in the 14th century. And the temple complex at Khajuraho, created in a remote, heavily forested area, remained forgotten till 1838 when it was re-discovered by Captain T.S. Burt of the Asiatic Society