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Benefit diner raised € 1986,20
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LOST GARDENS > The Gardens of Khajuraho |
The original purpose of the gardens
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries the gardens in Rajnagar (King’s
Place) were part of the residence of the local Maharajahs. Many of these
palaces were simply country houses, set in gardens covering several hectares.
Their cultural and recreational function was linked to horticulture, primarily
vegetable and fruit growing. Most of the harvest was sold in the markets
of Khajuraho and consumed by pilgrims.
In the middle of the 19th century, when the British took over power in India,
the gardens slipped into decline. Today, the main activity of these estates
is small-scale cereal cultivation. Very often it is women and children who
work the fields, while in season the men do the plowing and look for work
outside for the rest of the year. One garden barely yields enough to feed
one family.
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The Gardens of Rajnagar combined economic and recreational functions in a unique way:
- the fruit and vegetables from the gardens were consumed by pilgrims and by the inhabitants of the temple city of Khajuraho
- the gardens offered a place of relaxation for the Maharajahs
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