Archaeological Museum Khajuraho

You will find the sculptures with name tags in the classified galleries. You can identify and relate with the images you have seen in the temples.

Attention: There is no single ticket available for the Archaeological museum. It is only possible to get inside with the ticket for the temples of the Western group (550 rupees for foreigners). Please keep in mind, the ticket for both places (temples of the Western group and museum) are only valid on the same day. - This information is not written on the PDF document of the ticket, not on any sign at the entrance of the Western temples, neither does staff make you aware of it. The museum itself is a good addition to the temples. There are good exhibits. Especially the dancing Ganesh is impressive! But the information about the exhibits is quite short (no information about the specific temple where it has been taken from) and most of the outer exhibits in the courtyards do not have any information available at all.

What a Museum it is. A must-visit place if you’re a seeker of knowledge and appreciate beautiful sculptures as that is all this museum holds - All stone sculptures which look surreal. You can watch and learn from them up and close details and descriptions of each article are rightfully provided. The museum was clean and tidy with good amenities like cold drinking water, a sitting area, and clean washrooms. The tickets for the western group of temples are valid here (same-day tickets only) & the vice-versa Cost- 35₹ online, 50₹ offline for Indian citizens No charges for photography.

Try to visit this museum when it’s very hot outside and after you see the temples. I was able to see up close the sculptures and the explanations of each God, and description of the sculptures. It’s really worth the time to visit.

The museum is conveniently located pretty close to the western group of temples (shared a wall with Lalit Temple View Hotel). You can get through the museum in almost an hour. It has 3 galleries along with an open area. I’d recommend going through the museum before visiting the temples as it provides context.

Good place to see the architecture of Khajuraho , well described and written

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND The monumental group of Khajuraho was brought to light by T.S Burt, a British engineer in 1838, and then work was carried out in detail by the study of Alexander Cunningham, between 1852 and 1863. It is believed that the nomenclature of Khajuraho is due to one of its gate which was ornamented with two golden Khajur trees (date palm) as per one tradition. A recent study highlight that celestial nymph has a scorpion (Khajur) on her thigh which mark the passion, possibly therefore the place was named Khajur-Vahaka or Khajuraho. During the Janapada time, the region was part of the Vatsa kingdom and then it came under the Mauryan supremacy which is known from Asokan rock edict at Gujjara in Datia district. However prior to Chandella the region has witnessed the rule of Kushanas, Nagas, Vakatakas, Imperial Guptas, and the Pratiharas. According to Chandellas and other contemporary records, the land was known as jejakbhukti or jejakabhukti, with a few derivative variants like jejahuti, jajhauti and jijhauti in Chandellas times. Mahoba inscription delineate the genealogy of Chandella dynasty and refers that the kingdom has been named after king Jeja. The earliest inscription of king Dhanga dated to 954 CE suggests the occupation of Khajuraho by the Chandella rulers. Alberuni in 1022 CE speak of the region as Jajahuti. The Madanpur inscription dated to 1182 CE refers the territory as Jajakabhukti or Jajakamandala. THE MUSEUM With keen interest and initiative of W.E. Jardine, the then political agent of Bundelkhand, the loose sculptures and other cultural edifices were collected from the ruined temples and preserved in an enclosure by means of which laid the foundation of museum in the year 1910. This thoughtful collection confined to be known as Jardine Museum. However, the present museum was conceptualized in 1952 after the Archaeological Survey of India took over charge and named it as Archaeological Museum. The preserved and display antiquities are primarily associated with the Chandella's, a powerful medieval dynasty who predominantly ruled over the region around Khajuraho anciently known as Kharjura-Vahaka and was religious capital city. The nucleus of the museum was a large collection of Brahmanical, Hindu, Jaina, and Buddhist sculptures and architectural parts of the temples. A good number of well carved sculptures are exhibited in the present museum, in a modern display concept. The New museum building is constructed near circuit house to display more number of antiquities. It consists of six galleries proposed for sculptures and architectural member. The antiquities are ranging from 9th to 12th Century CE, and throws significant light on social-cultural aspect of the region.

The ASI museum at Khajuraho is a must visit. Located at a 10 mins walk away from the western group of temples, you do not need to purchase a separate ticket if you already have one for the temples. The museum is located on the ground floor and shuts at 5.30pm. The galleries are divided base on the deities. It takes about 30 mins to view the entire museum. There is drinking water and toilet facilities as well. I only wish they also had a publication counter like other museums.