Khajuraho Beach 3
A 3km arc of pale sand and palm-and-tin shacks.
The so‑called Khajuraho Beach 3 is nothing more than a three‑kilometre strip of bleached sand hugged by a ragtag line of palm‑and‑tin shacks, perched on the reservoir that feeds the nearby temples. Arrive at sunrise and claim a low wooden bench under the rickety Chetak Café – the only place that actually serves a decent masala chai; the rest of the vendors hawk fried pakoras that taste like stale batter. The water is shallow and murky, so swimming is a nervous half‑hour of toe‑dipping rather than a beach‑day rite of passage. If you’re hoping for cleaner stretches, head east to the slightly better‑maintained stretch near the Hathi Gate, but bring your own mat – the official seating is a rusted metal bar that squeaks every time someone sits. The best time to visit is late October to early December when the humidity drops and the sunset paints the reservoir pink; avoid the monsoon months when the shacks flood and the whole scene turns into a mud‑sodden mess. Skip the souvenir stalls selling “hand‑carved” shells – they’re plastic moulds – and instead wander to the nearby temple complex for a proper Khajuraho glimpse; the beach is merely a noisy, badly lit side‑show for the temple tourists.
- Go early; crowds peak by 11am
- Local guides charge ₹500 — worth it for the stories