THE DISTRIBUTION AND DIVERSITY OF FUNGI AND MACROFLORA ON THE TEMPLE GROUPS OF KHAJURAHO (M.P)

Khajuraho is known for their art and beautiful artwork internationally. This beautiful place is located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, India. Total 21 temples are surviving in the present out of 84 temples. The open exposure of the temple to the environment causes discoloration and ugly look of the temple. It has been observed during the study on the temple, several species of fungi and higher plant species like grasses and weeds cause the damage and deterioration of the temple. Different fungal flora like Alternativa alternata, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. fumigates, Chitridium sps., Culvularia lunata, Fusarium oxysporium, Rhizopus vigricans, and Mucor sps. etc. isolated. Also found in various macroflora like Amaranthus viridis, Auria scandence, Beorhaavia diffuse, Bothriocloa pertusa, Cassia tora, Cynodon dactylon, Euphorbia hirta, Ficus religiosa, Ficus benghalensis, Indigofera sps, and Oxalis trifolia etc. identified and calculated similarity, dissimilarity index and frequency of flora in the present study. The present research work mainly focused on the distribution and diversity of the Eastern group of temples and Southern group of temples at Khajuraho.