As is commonly known, a site has to demonstrate such lofty ideals as “outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of mankind” to qualify for UNESCO’s hallowed list. That list includes such luminaries as The Persepolis, Memphis and its Necropolis, the Historic centre of St Petersburg and last but not least, Malaysia’s very own Kinabalu Park.
However, possibly no other World Heritage Site is as interesting as the Khajuraho group of monuments, in northern India.
This particular site, and other World Heritage Site might depicts erotic sculptures, like this one:
But do any other World Heritage Site depicts bestiality?
The temple was built in a span of a hundred years, between 950 and 1050, hence this could be a prime example of medieval porn. It was built by the Chandela kings in a “truly inspired bout of creativity.” Apparently, the Chandelas were followers of the Tantric cult which believes that gratification of earthly desires is a step towards attaining the ultimate liberation.
Before you rush to the travel agent, wikipedia adds that:
It must be emphasized that Khajuraho Temples, do not contain sexual themes inside the Temple premises or near the deity but only on external carvings. They portray that for seeing the deity, one must leave his sexual desires outside the Temple. They also depict that the inner deity of the Temple is pure like the soul (atman) which is unaffected by desire, destiny etc, whereas the external curvature and carvings of the Temples depict the bodily changes that occur in us.
Only as many as 10% carvings contain sexual themes, not between any deities but between ordinary humans. The rest depict the common man’s life of those days. For example ladies applying makeup, musicians, potters, farmers etc. All these are away from temple deities. They give the message that one should always have God as the central point in one’s life even though one is engaged in worldly activities.
In Khajuraho Temples, the idols of Shiva, Nandi, Goddess Durga, Incarnations of Vishnu etc are fully clothed
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