Eroticism is a part of many temples in India,
celebrating sexuality, and fertility. It is seen in the Hindu way of life and
religious beliefs as a means that regenerates recycle, and refreshes the cycle
of life. It is Karma, one of the four aims of healthy human life in Hinduism; the other are Artha, Dharma, and Moksha.
There are several temples in India that have
graphics and explicit representations of indulgence. These temples are of
historical significance and continue to draw millions of tourists irrespective
of their ideologies. Listed below are a few of the many such temples which are
visited and appreciated by Indian and foreign tourists:
1. Khajuraho Temples, Madhya Pradesh, India
Built
between 950 to 1050 CE by the Chandela dynasty, the Konarak temples are the
most important specimens of the Indian art.These sets of Jain and Hindu temples
took around a 100 years to take a shape. Originally a collection of around 85
temples, the number has reduced to 25. Located in the Chatrapur district ,
Madhya Pradesh, India and about 175 kms South East of Jhansi. They are UNESCO
World Heritage Site and are famous for their erotic sculptures. The temples
have a rich display of intricately carved statues. While they are famous for
their erotic sculptures, sexual themes cover less than 10% of the temple
structure. Most erotic scenes are in proportional balance with the nonsexual
images. One has to look closely to find them, or to be directed by a guide.
It is said that when these temples were built the boys in the place lived in hermitages; by being brahmacharis until they attained manhood and these sculptures helped them to learn about the worldly role of ‘householder’.
The word Khajuraho is a derivative of ‘ khajur’ symbolizing the date palm trees surrounding the temple complex. Dedicated to Hindu Gods ’Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesh and a few Jain temples as well.
Men and women are depicted in the sculptures
as engaged in seduction and pleasure and placing polyandry, polygamy, bisexuality
and homosexuality all at the same pedestal.
State Govt. organizes a Light
& Sound show in the evening introducing tourists to the temple’s detailed
history.
Entry Fee: INR 40 for Indians, INR 600 for foreigners
Timings: 8.00 AM to 6.00 PM
Sound & Light Show: INR 300
for Indians; INR 700 for foreigners
2. Sun Temple,
Konark:
The name Konark comes from the combination of the Sanskrit words Kona (corner or angle) and Ark (the sun). It is also known as the ‘ Black Pagoda’.
Konark is a small town in the Puri district of Odisha, India. It is located 60 kms from the state capital Bhubhanwshwar and is a site of the 13th century ‘Sun Temple’ dedicated to the Sun God “ Surya”.
The
temple complex has the appearance of 100 ft tall sun God ‘Surya’s chariot with
immense wheels & horses, all carved in stone. The twelve pairs or the 24 wheels
are decorated with symbolic designs and it is led by a team of six horses.
These twelve pairs of wheels symbolize the 12 months and each wheel is a
sundial and accurately reads time observations.
The remains of the ancient temple structures and elements are famous for their intricate network, explicit erotic ‘Kama’ ( Kama often connotes sexual desire, passion, longing, the aesthetic enjoyment of life.
Entry Fee : INR 40 for Indians INR 600 for foreigners
Timings: 6.00 AM to 6.00 PM
3. Sun Temple
Modhera, Gujarat:
Dedicated to the
solar deity ‘Surya’, located at Modhera village of Mehsana district ,Gujarat,India,
the Modhera Sun Temple was built by King Bhima 1 of the Chalukya dynasty in the
early 11th century. The temple situated
on the banks of Pushpawati river in Modhera, is among the few temples dedicated
solely to Aditya or Surya the
God of endless energy. This beautifully intricate ancient temple of Modhera
revives the reminiscences of Konark Sun temple in Odisha
The
Sun Temple is skillfully divided into three major sections, the Surya Kund –
which is a rectangular shaped beautiful step well right in front of the temple
to store the rainwater. Another segment that holds the assembly hall is known
as Sabha
Mandapa , that stands on 52 pillars signifying the 52 weeks in
a year, which used to be the place for religious gatherings and ceremonies. The
third segment holds sanctum known as Guda
Mandap, the main temple which is said to be the most sacred
place in the temple.
The
whole temple stands on a lotus-shaped structure, and the intricately carved erotic figurines from Kamasutra, represent
a unique glimpse of our culture. There are carvings on the walls to show unity
with air, water, earth and space. You can witness and examine on the pillars
intensely enigmatic art of love making, medicinal plants, etc. It is believed
that in those days when temple was built, sex was neither suppressed nor moralized.
It was seen as an act that brought about fertility. Hence at this temple a most
profound depiction of sexual iconography is displayed, at the exterior walls of
the main temple itself. This mesmerizing work of art amuses people from all
over the world.
Entry Fee:
INR 15 for Indians, INR 200 for foreigners
Timings:
6.00 AM to 600 PM
4. Lingaraj Temple,
Bhubhaneshwar ,Odisha, India
Lingaraj literally means the King of Lingam ( an abstract representation of the Hindu deity Shiva . It is the primary devotional image in Hindu Temples edicated to Shiva.
A Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is one of the oldest temples in Bhibhaneshwar, rge capital of Indian state, Odisha is the most prominent landmark of the city and one of the major tourist attractions of the state.
Lingaraj
Temple is the largest temple in Bhubhaneshwar. The central tower of the temple
is 180 ft high. Maintained by the Temple Trust Board and ASI (Archealogical
Survey of India), the temple has an average 6000 visitors per day and receives
lakhs of visitors during festivals. Shivaratri is the major festival celebrated
in the temple. The
temple compound is not open to Non Hindus.
Every year the
Chariot Festival ( Rath Yatra) is celebrated on Ashokashtami.
The sculptures adoring the temple are said to have been inspired by KamaSutra, the world’s original sex guide. These temples with erotic art are eminent because of the recognition from UNESCO and the ASI.
5. Virupaksha
Temple, Hampi, Karnataka, India
Virupaksha,
a 7th century Hindu Temple, is located in Hampi 350 km from
Bangalore, in the state of Karnataka in southern India. It is part of the Group of mountains at Hampi. It is
esignated at UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Virupaksha is a form of Shiva and has
other temples dedicated to Him.
According to Kama Sutra (written by
Vatsayayana, Chapter II), the man should practice Dharma,
Artha and Kama at different times i.e. Chaturashrams, Moksha is considered to be a long process which can be
achieved only when all material desires are fulfilled that a person is always
engaged in pleasure till a time comes that he is satisfied of all these things
going around the temple and then he enters the temple to see the God. That
is first you have to deal with very natural things like Kaam and only after
crossing this, you can attain Gyan or knowledge of God. This is why these
types of erotic carvings are only outside the temple because it signifies that
all those feelings must be left outside the temple, before entering the inner
sanctum. There are no such sculptures inside the temple.
Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
Timings: 9.00 AM to 1.00 PM & 5.00 PM
to 9.00 PM
Although these temples are famous for their erotic sculptures and appreciated by Indian as well as foreign tourists, one should not forget the teaching they give us that 'in those days when temples were built, sex was neither suppressed nor moralized. It was seen as an act that brought about fertility.’
In my opinion, Sex is a sacred act, recognized as human
desire to be satisfied and which may be used to attain the ultimate goal of
enlightenment. Erotic images at the temples in Hampi, Khajurao or other places should only be
considered as a medium of this enlightenment.
Inputs
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