For even the most experienced vacationer, Khajuraho is a bolt from the blue when one sees the temples here ascend like an apparition over India's glittering plains. Khajuraho is in the state of Madhya Pradesh and is at a distance of about 620 km southeast of Delhi. Khajuraho gains recognition due to its host of medieval Hindu and Jain temples and erotic sculptures all over them. These temples were built between 950 AD to 1050 AD. Originally there were about 80 temples out of which 22 are still preserved in a perfect condition. The most important aspect of these temples is the north Indian Shikhara (rising tower) style. Among these temples, the Kandariya Mahadeva is the most famous one. This was built by Vidyadhara, a king of the Chandela dynasty in 1050. Its Shikhara rises up to 31 m. Some of the other beautiful temples of Khajuraho include the Chaunsath Yogini, Chitragupta Temple, Vishwanatha Temple and the Lakshmana Temple. Most of the temples do not bear erotic sculptures inside the temple. The carvings which bear tantric sexual poses are all on the exterior. Some of the temples have two layers of walls with erotic carvings on the outside of the inner wall. The Chandela rulers who followed tantric traditions built them to manifest their belief that gratification of desires leads to attaining Nirvana.