51st Khajuraho Dance Festival

• 27 Feb 2025

Why in News?  

The 51^st Khajuraho Dance Festival was organised in Khajuraho, Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh from 20 to 26 February 2025 . 

 Key Points  

• About Khajuraho Dance Festival: 
  • It was organised by the Culture Department and Tourism Department of Madhya Pradesh. 
  • The festival was held against the backdrop of the historic temples of Khajuraho , which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 
• Initiation: 
  • Khajuraho Dance Festival was started in 1975 and since then it is being organised by Ustad Alauddin Khan Music and Arts Academy under the Culture Department of Madhya Pradesh Government. 
• Objective of the celebration : 
  • Various Indian classical dance forms like Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, Yakshagana, etc. are showcased through this festival. 
  • Along with traditional dance, new experiments in dance and rich forms of choreography are encouraged. 
  • Through this festival, the historical and cultural heritage of Khajuraho is promoted at the global level. 
  • The festival provides a platform to various artisans and handicraft artists to showcase their art and crafts. 
• Major activities of the festival : 
  • Classical Dance Marathon (Relay) 
    • 139 artists created a Guinness World Record by performing classical dance for 24 hours 9 minutes 26 seconds. 
  • Grand classical dance performances : 
    • Dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali, Yakshagana etc. were performed. 
  • Hunar Mela – Handicrafts and Art Exhibition : 
    • An exhibition of traditional handicrafts, paintings, jewellery and artefacts of Madhya Pradesh was organised. 
  • Live Exhibition : 
    • Exhibition of terracotta art, Bundeli paintings, bead jewellery and other local arts. 

Khajuraho Temple 

 

• Introduction:  
  • Built by the Chandela dynasty in the 10^th and 11^th centuries, these temple groups present a unique example of architecture and sculpture . 
  • The number of temples built in Nagar style has now reduced to only 20, among which the temple of Kandariya Mahadev is especially famous. 
  • The temples here belong to two religions – Jain and Hindu . 
• World Heritage Site :  
  • It was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the year 1986 .