Most people just come for a day or two to visit the famous temples, but Khajuraho tourism can actually mean more than that! It is worth staying a bit more to enjoy the quietness of rural India, and, you will see from the list below that Khajuraho has quite a lot to offer for those who are willing to explore a bit more!

Khajuraho tourism: Visit the temples – obviously!

There are three groups of temples in Khajuraho. The Western group of temples is located in the town centre, just about 1 km away from our house. It is the only group that costs money (600* INR for non-Indian and 40* INR for Indians). The Eastern group includes the Brahma Temple (just in front of our house), the Jawari and Vamana temples (about 100 metres away from our house and viewed from our rooftop) and the Jain temples, which are located behind the Old Village. The South group is a little further away, about 3 kilometres away from our house, so you will need to rent bicycles or take an auto-rickshaw (or find a local to take you round on his motorbike) to visit them. The temples are open from sunrise to sunset, so the actual opening time varies with according to season.

Khajuraho tourism: Take a stroll round the Old Village

Just behind our house you will find the Old Village of Khajuraho, which is well worth visiting to learn more about Indian rural and Hindu traditions and customs. We believe the Old Village is an important part of Khajuraho tourism, as it reflects Indian cultural heritage. We will happily take you round the village if you ask us.

Khajuraho tourism: Check out the museums

Khajuraho has a couple of nice museums. The small but beautiful Tribal & Folk Art Museum will give you an insight into the tribal culture of Madhya Pradesh through paintings, terracotta sculptures, masks and statues. Opening times: 10am – 5pm. Entry fee: 10* INR for Indians; 250* INR for foreigners.

Another interesting museum is the Archeological Museum.

Khajuraho tourism: Visit the local artists

For another insight into Indian cultural heritage, it is a good idea to visit Khajuraho artists with us to see how they work. Wildlife painter, stone and wood carving artists, brass and bronze nakashi artists, jewellery makers, etc.

Khajuraho tourism: MP Tourism dance shows

Folk dance shows are held every evening in Khajuraho during the touristic season. To find out more on folk dances from Madhya Pradesh, click here.

Khajuraho tourism: Light and Sound Show

Held at the Western group of temples, the light and sound show evokes the life and times of the great Chandela Kings, and it and traces the story of the unique temples from the 10th Century to the present day. Timings depend on language (English or Hindi) and season. More information here.

In February: Khajuraho Dance Festival

Every year during the last week of February (around Shivaratri), the Khajuraho Dance Festival attracts visitors from the whole of India and abroad. With the Western group of temples lit in the background as amazing decor for its stage, the festival presents various forms of Indian classical dance as well as more contemporary styles by performers from all over India: north Indian Kathak, south Indian Bharatanatyam, Odissi from the state of Orissa, etc.

There is always a handicraft mela (fair) with local artists from the Bundelkhand region, and it is lovely to take a stroll around it before seeing the dance!

Entry for both dance and mela is free.

In December: Khajuraho International Film Festival

Since 2015, Khajuraho has been hosting the Khajuraho International Film Festival every year for a week in mid-December. The festival covers a surprisingly eclectic programme of cinema genres, and it invites some very famous actors. Every evening, it holds theatre, music and dance shows.

Khajuraho tourism: Villages around Khajuraho

For a feel of authentic, rural India and to travel back centuries… Beniganj, Bamnora, Chitrayi, Kundarpura (also called Moogli Village), Surajpura etc. all about located 3 to 8 kilometres away from Khajuraho.

Khajuraho tourism: Mountains around Khajuraho

Near some of the villages of Beniganj and Banmora, you can climb a small mountain to enjoy some absolutely breathtaking landscapes.

Visit the Lost Gardens of INTACH

The Lost Gardens of Khajuraho, located between 7 and 13 km away from Khajuraho, are 18th century royal produce gardens in Khajuraho/Rajnagar. The Belgian chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has taken up this project to restore these gardens and to turn them into training centers for sustainable, organic agriculture. Moreover, the project aims to promote sustainable tourism. Everything is done with the help of, and for the benefit of the local population. For more information, visit rajnagar.org/gardens.

Khajuraho tourism: Raneh Falls

The Raneh Falls is a natural water fall on the Ken River, located about 20 kilometres away from Khajuraho. They are especially impressive during or just after the rainy seasons, as the water level is very high. During the dry season you can see its rocky cliffs which are very beautiful.

Khajuraho tourism: Pipal Ghat

Pipal Ghat, on the Ken River, is about 35 kilometres away from Khajuraho. It is possible to bathe in the river as it is clean, but be careful with the strong current!

Khajuraho tourism: Pandav Falls

The Pandav Falls is a natural water fall located on a branch of the Ken River, about 35 kilometres away from Khajuraho. The falls were named after the legendary Pandava brothers of the epic poem Mahabharata, who are believed to have spent some time there. Remains of caves and shrines commemorating the legend can be seen around the pool below the falls. This fall is our favourite to visit during the hot season, as it preserves some greenery and freshness when everywhere else is scorching hot and dry.

Entry fee is approximately 250* INR for car entrance or 50* INR per person, and it costs 80 INR to hire a guide. The entry fee for Panna National Park includes a free visit of the Pandav Falls.

Panna National Park

Panna National Park is 57 kilometres away from Khajuraho. You typically have to leave at 5am to get the chance to see a tiger. You can also see crocodiles, antelopes, monkeys etc. Entrance fee is approximately 1650* INR, and the guide costs 375* INR. More information is available on the park’s website.

Get married!

Yes, Seriously! Some of our guests, a lovely couple from Guatemala, were so happy in Khajuraho that they decided to stay for a week longer and to get married! We organised the wedding ceremony for them in a lovely temple a little outside of Khajuraho, and it was very beautiful! They even said that we should open a wedding service for travellers like them!

We hope you have a lovely time in Khajuraho!

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*Please note that price changes may occur which is our outside our control.

For another list of what to see and do in Khajuraho, you can check out Global Gallivanting’s Khajuraho Travel Guide.