The
Ancient dynasties are often covered in a veil of mystery, largely because written
records are rare and, as is often the case in India, myth and legend weave their
way over time into the history of their origin and their reign. And when the
dynasty leaves a legacy as contradictory as the Khajuraho temples, with their
mix of the religious and the sensuous, the web is woven of brighter threads,
the accompanying legends more colourful. Khajuraho or 'Khajur-vahika' (bearer
of date palms), also known as 'Khajjurpura' in ancient times, evidently
derives its name from the golden date palms (khajur) that adorned its city gates
and, if the different legendary versions are to be believed, it owes its existence
to an enchanting maiden named Hemvati.
According to the account of the medieval court poet, Chandbardai, in the Mahoba-khand
of his Prithviraj Raso, Hemvati was the beautiful daughter of Hemraj, the royal
priest of Kashi (Varanasi). One summer night, while she was bathing in the sparkling
waters of
a lotus-filled pond, the Moon god was so awestruck by her beauty that he descended
to earth in human form and ravished her. The distressed Hemvati, who was unfortunately
a child widow, threatened to curse the god for ruining her life and reputation.
To make amends for his folly the Moon god promised that she would become the
mother of a valiant son. 'Take him to Khajjurpura', he is believed to have said.
'He will be a great king and build numerous temples surrounded by lakes and
gardens. He will also perform a yagya (religious ceremony) through which your
sin will be washed away.' Following his instructions, Hemvati left her home
to give birth to her son in a tiny village. The child, Chandravarman, was as
lustrous as his father, brave and strong. By the time he was 16 years old he
could kill tigers or lions with his bare hands. Delighted by his feats, Hemvati
invoked the Moon god, who presented their son with a touchstone which could
turn iron into gold, and installed him as king at Khajuraho.
Chandravarman achieved a series of brilliant victories and built a mighty fortress
at Kalinjar. At his mother's request he began the building of 85 glorious temples
with lakes and gardens at Khajuraho and performed the bhandya-yagya which expunged
her of her guilt. A variation of the same legend introduces Hemvati as the widowed
daughter of Mani Ram, the royal priest of Kalinjar. As a result of a mistake
in his calculations the priest informed his king that a particular night was
Puranmasi (full moon night) and not the dark night that it actually turned out
to be. In her concern for her father's reputation the beautiful Hemvati prayed
to the Moon god, who was gracious enough to uphold the word of the priest but,
inreturn for his favour, ravished the daughter. The grieving father was so shame-stricken
that he cursed himself and turned into a stone, which was later worshipped by
the Chandelas as Maniya Dev. Hemvati gave birth to a son, the sage Chandrateya,
who was later at the helm of the Chandela clan. Historically speaking, the area
and aura around Khajuraho has always been renowned for its cultural achievements.
The
Ancient dynasties are often covered in a veil of mystery, largely because written
records are rare and, as is often the case in India, myth and legend weave their
way over time into the history of their origin and their reign. And when the
dynasty leaves a legacy as contradictory as the Khajuraho temples, with their
mix of the religious and the sensuous, the web is woven of brighter threads,
the accompanying legends more colourful. Khajuraho or 'Khajur-vahika' (bearer
of date palms), also known as 'Khajjurpura' in ancient times, evidently 