063 - The Western Group of Temples at Khajuraho and the Chandelas
Wonders of the World · Drew Vahrenkamp
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Show Notes
THIS EPISODE CONTAINS EXPLICIT CONTENT.
A group of temples sits in the hills of central India, stunningly studded with sculptures. Built by the Chandela dynasty, they are remarkably well preserved testaments to medieval power, but they are best known for their many erotic images.
Anirudh Kanisetti of the Echoes of India podcast returns to discuss the Chandelas, their connection with tantra, their views of sex, their run-ins with the famed Turkic warlord Mahmud of Ghazni, and how all of that relates to India's political environment today.
Medieval India shows the panoply of human experience in all its colors and shades. Nothing is a simplistic black and white.
Sources:
Bose, Nemai Sadhan. History of the Candellas of Jejakabhukti
Desai, Devangana. Khajuraho
Desai, Devangana. The Religious Imagery of Khajuraho
Dikshit, R.K. The Candellas of Jejakabhukti
Keay, John. India: a History
Lonely Planet India
Miller, Sam. Blue Guide India
Mitra, Sisir Kumar. Early Rulers of Khajuraho
Nasr, Mohamed. The Emergence of Muslim Rule in India
Ramadurai, Charukesi. "India's Temples of Sex" BBC Travel
Tammita-Delgoda, Sinharaja. A Traveller's History of India