News Excerpt:

Recently, Madhya Pradesh CM inaugurated the golden jubilee (50th edition) event of the Khajuraho dance festival, 1484 artists came together to set a new Guinness World Record for the biggest Kathak dance performance ever in the festival.

About the Festival:

• The festival started in 1975, is organized every year in Khajuraho (in Chhatarpur district) by the Culture Department through Ustad Alauddin's Music and Art Academy, Bhopal in collaboration with Madhya Pradesh Patan Department and Archaeological Survey of India.
• Dedicated to Lord Natraj Mahadev, often revered as the 'God of Dance', the KDF embodies the sacredness of dance as a medium of direct connection with the divine. 
• The Kathak Kumbh performance, held at the Khajuraho (world heritage site) was the major attraction of the festival, as 1484 artists participated in it, setting a Guinness World Record.

• The event underscores the spiritual significance of dance, celebrating its profound cultural heritage.

The History of the Khajuraho Group of Temples:

• They are famous for their Nagara-style architecture and graceful sculptures of nayikas (Hindu Mythological female protagonists) and deities. 
• The splendor of the intricate statues is one of the reasons that makes it a popular site to visit among tourists.
• Built between 950-1050 AD by the Chandela Dynasty, these temples represent various forms of meditation, spiritual teachings, and relationships through stimulating art.
• The temples are famous for their craftsmanship which consists of splendid demonstrations of fine sculptures and exceptional architectural skill, making them one of the most stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites (1986) in India.