Khajuraho

May 31, 2003 12:19 AM

Khajuraho. History and extensive galleries on the Indian temple site (built in the tenth century) famous for its erotic sculptures. (Not suitable for work, and the front page contains a warning that it is not suitable for under-21's). (more inside)
posted by plep (9 comments total)

Kamat's Potpourri also has a good page on the erotic arts of India - temple art,miniatures and so on (and by no means just 'straight' material).
The sexuality section of sacred-texts.com includes texts on sexuality and religion from various civilisations, from the Kama Sutra to Ovid and Sappho to the founding myth of Japan.
posted by plep at 12:26 AM on May 31, 2003

The only thing that may leave "...a legacy as contradictory as the Khajuraho temples, with their mix of the religious and the sensuous..." is this web site, with Swami Rajesh Chopra's painful navigation (no thumbnails, but his picture on every page!) and a midi "Put Your Hand in the Hand" playing as the erotic / Hindu imagery is displayed. Weird and wonderful. But mostly weird.
posted by JParker at 12:48 AM on May 31, 2003

Despite traditions to the contrary dating back many hundreds of years,  India turned prudish about sex, especially of the extramarital sort. This is changing, though, as recent surveys indicate that women are leading a return to  kama (sensual pleasure).
posted by homunculus at 12:51 AM on May 31, 2003

21! What's the age of army recruitment again?
posted by dgaicun at 3:39 AM on May 31, 2003

Seperated at birth: Swami Rajesh Chopra and Billy Joel
posted by ElvisJesus at 3:52 AM on May 31, 2003

Look, Swami Rajesh Chopra's in with Miss World 2000. Are you?
posted by plep at 5:30 AM on May 31, 2003

homunculus once again amazes with topical links. Thank you.
posted by The Jesse Helms at 7:12 AM on May 31, 2003

There's a beautiful book on Khajuraho, featuring exquisite photography by Magnum's Raghu Rai. Unfortunately it seems to be out of print.
posted by cbrody at 1:27 PM on May 31, 2003

Great links, all. Thanks plep!
posted by hama7 at 8:46 PM on June 1, 2003