Khajuraho — the name evokes exotic images of erotic figures, sculpted on temple walls. That is probably what many tourists know Khajuraho for, but among the locals, Khajuraho is so much more than that.

The Chandelas started the construction of the temples in the 10th century, and the town got its name from the Khajur, date palm trees, which grew around the lake near the temple compound. Legend says that Chandravarman, the son of Hemavathy and the god of the moon, was destined to establish a kingdom, which was Chandela Dynasty.

Out of the original 85 temples, only 25 temples survived the weather, wild vegetation and various Islamic rulers over the past millennium. The Chandelas witnessed multiple religions influencing the temples, evident from the different styles adopted in each temple. While most are dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva and Devi, a handful of them has Jain architecture as well as a Buddha figure.

Of course, ideally, you should visit all the different temples to explore the diverse history and cultures. Nevertheless, if time is an issue, here are a few temples that you shouldn’t miss.