A liberated society in 950 A.D, was it possible?

 Though it's the smallest village in India, Khajuraho boasts of some of the finest temples ever built in the history of India by the Chandela Rajputs who claimed to have descended from the moon. Built between 950 & 1050 AD, 22 of the 87 temples built survive to this day. The Western Group of temples is by far the best preserved complex, with outstanding view during the morning hours. Sculptures, carvings, friezes are found at every conceivable nook & corner on the temple exteriors.

Less than 10% of the carvings are devoted to erotica, yet it remains most talked about. Erotic sculptures are found in many other temples across the Indian subcontinent, Khajuraho though is detailed, be it amorous couples in intricate love making positions or female apsaras with thin waists, unclothed from the waist up with large breasts. Built on high platforms & in an east-west axis, the temples have the sanctum housing the main devotee, a connecting vestibule which brings you to an assembly hall for worshippers. Large temples have additional halls & towers.

A tall tower is mounted over the sanctum while smaller `gopurams'dot other parts of the temple complex. In comparison to the temple exteriors, the interior have fewer carvings & adornments. Many explanations have been put forward, couple of them could be the most valid. The Chandela rulers were followers of Tantric worship where gratification of material desires led the path to liberation. The other school of thought opines it was a liberated society with generous amount of liberated thinkers & secular artisans. An unabashed society threw conservatism to the winds, the end result are magnificent temples in the garden of dates, Khajuraho!!