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Introduction
The Khajuraho Dance Festival is a celebrated annual cultural extravaganza held in the historic town of Khajuraho, located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. Renowned for its mesmerizing classical dance performances, the festival pays tribute to India’s rich artistic heritage and is set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage Site—the Khajuraho group of temples, famed for their intricate sculptures and architectural brilliance.
First organized in 1975 by the Madhya Pradesh Kala Parishad, the Khajuraho Dance Festival has grown into one of the most prestigious and anticipated cultural events in India. It is usually held in the last week of February, when the weather is pleasant and the atmosphere is charged with artistic fervor. This week-long celebration showcases the eight classical dance forms of India—Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Sattriya, and Kathakali—performed by some of the most distinguished dancers and rising stars of the Indian classical dance fraternity.
What sets this festival apart is its symphony of tradition and setting. The performances take place in an open-air auditorium, with the majestic Chitragupta Temple and the Vishwanatha Temple—dedicated to the Sun God and Lord Shiva respectively—serving as a breathtaking backdrop. The temples, with their finely carved sculptures depicting celestial dancers, musicians, and deities, seem to come alive during the performances, creating a magical fusion of art, architecture, music, and spirituality.
More than just a dance festival, Khajuraho is a celebration of India’s spiritual and aesthetic traditions. It brings together artists, scholars, tourists, and culture lovers from across the globe, making it a vital platform for cultural exchange and artistic dialogue. Over the years, the festival has also expanded to include art exhibitions, crafts bazaars, and food stalls, offering visitors a holistic experience of Indian culture.
In essence, the Khajuraho Dance Festival is a living tribute to India’s ancient temple traditions, where dance was a form of worship and temples were centers of artistic expression. Today, it continues to uphold that sacred legacy, inviting generations to witness the timeless beauty of Indian classical dance in one of the most evocative settings imaginable.