There are different opinions on why temples were decorated with sexually explicit sculptures. According to the most widely accepted school of thought, it was part of sexual education in ancient India and since most people visited temples, it was an appropriate place for mass communication. Many scholars believe that these sculptures were provided to assist in the attainment of moksha.

Unlike the westerners, the Indian artists did not depend on live models for their creativity. The Khajuraho sculptures were created by the artist's imagination of lovemaking positions prevalent at that time, or based on the rules outlined by Vatsayana. Irrespective of how they were modeled, we have to agree on the extraordinary capabilities of the sculptors.

Although Khajuraho is most famous for these sculptures, most Indian temples have them in one form or another. Belur, Halebidu, Somanathupura, and Nugguhalli temples of the Hoysala period have many such beautiful sculptures. The Badami and Banashankari temples of the Chalukya times, and the Vijayanagar temples of Bhatkal, Lepakshi and Hampi have these too. The Meenakshi temple of Madurai and Veeraranarayan temple of Gadag has erotic sculptures on their Gopuram. Ancient Indians thought that the appropriate use of sex was an art.

Perhaps that's why they called pleasure girls as artists. Many of these pleasure girls treated their profession as a form of devotion to God, and refined it as an advanced fine art. Observe the Khajuraho temples from this perspective, and you will notice the real beauty of the sculptures.

Also Check out: Are you Hot?