Khajuraho: The Romantic Destination

We arrived from Delhi by train UP Sampark Kranti morning 7am to Khajuraho. Our hotel was 19km from Khajuraho station. We booked a cab (another alternative take a bus from station if you want to go directly to the hotel) and had breakfast in a dhaba and then directly went to hotel MPT Jungle Camp Madla and luckily we got an early check-in. Then got ready and decided to go Pandav falls is serene located inside the Panna National Park. We were charged for entry tickets, guide & for a cab (can save money for vehicle by keeping outside and can walk down). There are the iron railings for our protection. We noticed beyond that there is breathtaking bowl-shaped  valley surrounded by rocks & emerald color water. In the center of the rocks in the left the water is coming underground naturally and flow down in Pandav falls.  As we were couples, the guide took us to top center ( though officially not allowed to go there) of the lake, and the visual we saw there looked like a Heart shape Lake and we're thankful to him for showing us this mesmerizing visual. We felt like as they say "MP IS THE HEART OF INCREDIBLE INDIA , WE SEEMED LIKE SPOTTING THAT HEART". On the other side there are some caves. The name has come because Pandavas on exile during Mahabharata time had come here to rest. The place made us so peaceful and worth visiting to the place. Also, don't forget to drink the water droplets sprinkling from the rocks and getting filtered by the roots of plants.

After spending time we headed back to our hotel spent some time at the resort. Our room balcony was facing towards the jungle. We had lunch and rested for a while. Then we headed for our Jungle Safari 3-6pm at Panna National Park (better to take a morning safari as you get more time). We had done online booking by doing single seat for both of us and in counter paid for the vehicle and guide. In one gypsy 6 people are only allowed. Our safari was from Madla gate which was right beside our hotel. Panna National park is positioned in the hills of the Vindhya ranges spread over Panna. The guide took us to different routes so we could spot the tiger. We saw few animals like Chinkara, spotted deer, Nilgai, Samber Deer. We took stop near the Ken river which flows through the Panna National Park for a boat ride. This river is the home for crocodile and other aquatic fauna. Then we went back to our gypsy for our safari and hurray spotted 7months old baby tiger. It was the best experience for us and then our safari comes to our exit gate by 6pm.

Later in the evening had tea and got freshened up. We went for a long walk near by and found safe in the dark. We had our dinner and went back to our room to rest.

Sightseeing: Pandav Falls, Jungle Safari & Boat ride in the Ken river Inside Panna National Park.

Stay: MPT Jungle Camp, Madla
Costing: Rs. 5132 (3 times Food & evening Tea)

Food: Lunch & Dinner in MPT Jungle Camp, Madla

Cab: Rs. 700 (Pick up from Khajuraho station, Pandav Falls, Drop to Hotel)
Panna National Park, Madla
Jeep Safari: Single seat: Rs. 250
Vehicle: Rs. 1800 (Divide into 6 people)
Guide: Rs. 48o (Divide into 6 people)
Online Booking: https://forest.mponline.gov.in/Index.aspx

Pandav Falls
Entry Ticket: Rs. 25
Guide: Rs. 25
Cab: Rs. 300 (You can take another mode of the vehicle also)

We decided to keep it a relax day and started our day with tea in our room balcony. We saw our hotel had cycle for their guest. Then we went for a cycling towards Ken river shore and to take a look of Ken River Lodge. After spending some wonderful morning time had our breakfast. After that we got ready to check out and headed towards Khajuraho.

We booked auto and saw Southern Group of Temples - Chaturbuj Temple & Duladev Temple on our way. We stayed at Hotel Headquater in Khajuraho for 2 nights. We went to Raja Cafe for lunch and ordered Non-veg Thali. Then took some rest and decided to go for a trek in the evening to see sunset at Datla Pahad. This trek was organized by the hotel staff and took us to explore the amazing experience. The View was so wonderful from the top and the sky looked soothing. Later in the evening we went to Light and sound show in the Western Group of Temples. It was not at all worth watching the show and was a waste of money. After that we planned to have some delicious street food. After coming back to the hotel we went for a bonfire and made few friends with the stranger.

Sightseeing: Southern Group of Temples - Chaturbhuj Temple & Duladev Temple, Trek to Datla Pahad, Light & Sound Show - Western Group of Temples.

Stay: Headquarters, Khajuraho (Not recommended for Family).
Costing: Rs. 1050 (It was in the main market of Khajuraho and just 5mins walk from Western Group of Temples).

Food: Lunch at Raja Cafe & Street food.

Trek to Datla Pahad: Rs. 200 (Auto & Trek)
Light & Sound Show- Western Group of Temples - Rs. 250
Timing: 6:30pm - 7:25pm (English Show), 7:40pm  - 8:35pm (Hindi Show)

We made plan to do self ride for the day. We started our day having breakfast at Safari Canteen just opposite to our hotel. Then started our journey to Raneh Falls & Ken Ghariyal Sanctuary. It was 22km away from our hotel. We passed through villages and driving through two- wheeler with your loved one makes you more romantic. We reached near the gate of Raneh falls. We payed for the entry fee, Guide (as we were in two-wheeler had to pay an extra Rs. 100 to guide for his fuel), & vehicle charges. The self ride inside the Jungle made it more worth. We saw a few animals like Nilgai, wild boars, Chinkara & Spotted Deer.

We reached to our first point to see Ghariyal in Ken River. The view from the top looked so lovely. We spotted Ghariyal who was resting. There were few migrated Birds also spotted by us. Then we went to our second point for Nature trail and we saw Gondhariya walls (spelling can be wrong). This wall was made by the Maharaja for hunting purpose. The wall was 500 - 600 meters long. Then we went to our last and  best destination to Raneh falls which is also called the Grand Canyon. The first thing which came was never seen beautiful place like this ever in life. Our guide told us that Raneh falls are natural. As per him the canyon is a result of volcanic eruptions which had happened lakhs of years ago. Another amazing thing about Raneh falls is with the variety of stones found here. The canyon has 5 different types of rocks in the canyon. As per the guide the green ones are dolomite, red ones are colored Jasper, brown quartz, pink granite and black basalt.

We spent a good amount of time at Raneh falls and then we saw the MP Eco-tourism cottages in the middle of the jungle. This fascinated us and we decided to have lunch over there on the tree house. They have only 3 cottages and I'm sure the experience of staying here would have been amazing. After that we had planned to visit Eastern Group of Temples - Javeri Temple, Vamana Temple, Brahma Temple, Adinath Temple, Parasvanth Temple, & Jain Group of temples. Later in the evening saw Bundelkhand Folk Dance by MP tourism.

Food: Breakfast at Safari Canteen, Lunch at MP Eco-Tourism, Raneh Falls & Street Food.

Ken Ghariyal Sanctuary & Raneh Falls
Entry Fee: Rs. 50
Guide: Rs. 100 (Paid extra Rs. 100 for his fuel)
Vehicle: Rs. 100 (for two-wheeler and other mode of vehicles also allowed).

Bundelkhand Folk Dance by MP tourism
Entry Fee: Rs. 200

Finally comes the last day and to visit the main attraction for the day is the Western Group of Temples. We got ready and had breakfast and headed to our last destination of the trip. Before that let's go to the some knowlegde.

Khajuraho is derived from the name Khajura (Dates). Built in 950 AD by Chandela dynasty. Khajuraho is divided in 3 groups of temples - Western Group of Temples, Eastern Group of Temples & Southen Group of Temples. According to local traditions, there were 85 temples and now only 22 stands in varying stages of preservation. The sculptures represented in Khajuraho include the cult images of parivara, devatas (fanily deities), apsaras, secular and animal sculptures. The erotic figures which vibrates warmth of emotions. There are only 10% of the erotic sculpture. Of all temples, the Matangeshvara temple remains an active site of worship.

The Western Group of Temples - Lakshmana Temple, Visvanatha Temple, Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Jagadambi Temple, Chitragupta Temple.
It took us enough time to visit each time and spent our 4-5 hrs in the western group of temple. Each temple has meaning behind it.  Best time to visit is early morning by 8am - 8:30am.

After that we headed for our lunch at Badri Seth Marwari Bhoj for Thali and did some shopping. Local shopkeepers claim Bamboo silk saree, dupatta as original but they are all fake. Best to buy from Mrignaynee from MP handloom department. We even went to Matangeshvara Temple which has 18 feet lingum (9 feet above and 9 feet in the ground).

It was a time say goodbye to the place and amazing trip as we had our train back to Delhi 6:20pm.

The over all trip experience was really amazing and everyone should once visit to this beautiful place.

Sightseeing: The Western Group of Temples - Lakshman Temple, Vishwanatha Temple, Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Jagadambi Temple, Chitragupta Temple. Matangeshwara Temple.

Food: Badri Seth Marwari Bhoj

Western Group of Temples
Entry Fees: Rs. 40
Official Guide from MP tourism: Rs. 1500 (but you will get the guide in Rs. 250 - Rs. 300 unofficially outside the Temple)

Auto: Rs. 150 (for Railway Station)