063 - The Western Group of Temples at Khajuraho and the Chandelas

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