In February 1838, a young British officer, Captain TS Burt, was returning from Eran to Sagar in central India. On being told by his palkhi bearer of the wonders of the place called Khajrao, he could not resist an unscheduled stop, and immediately realised he had discovered something of extraordinary importance.
There, standing majestic against a background of hills and forest, were perfectly-sculpted stone temples, covered with carved figurines of gods and goddesses: dancing, admiring themselves in mirrors, combing their hair and making love.
Ever since that fateful morning, when the silence of the thick forests was broken, Khajuraho has never looked back.