Khajuraho is a village situated in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh about 385 miles southeast of Delhi. Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for their most explicit erotic art and overly sexual sculptures – some of this erotic art portrays ritualistic group sex.

What is the meaning of this 'spiritual erotic art'?

There are many interpretations of the erotic carvings. One of them suggests that for seeing the deity, one must leave his or her sexual desires outside the temple.

Another interpretation is that divinity (represented by the deities of the temples) is pure like the atman which is not affected by sexual and other desires of the physical body. Others suggest that these erotic scences demonstrate tantric sexual practices.

The Khajuraho group of monuments has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The video to the right shows the Khajuraho and other fascinating Indian temples.

Of course, Bollywood deals with the subject as well in this 2002 Hindi music movie. ("A truly unique, exotic and wonderful love story centered around the place of Divine Temples"…)

Starring: Mamta Kulkarni, Saadhika, Vishal, Mink
Directed by: Ashok Kumar