About Orchha

Orchha is famous for its palaces and temples built in the 17th and 18th centuries and was once the capital of the Bundela Rajputs. The Jehangir Mahal, the Chaturbhuj Mandir and the Laxmi Mandir are worth visiting. Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time; a rich legacy to the ages. For on this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly and the places and temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their pristine perfection.

Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput chieftain Rudra Pratap who chose this stretch of land along the Betwa river as an ideal site for his capital. Of the succeeding rulers, the most notable was Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo who built the exquisite Jehangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatries. From here the view of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs is spectacular.

Complementing the noble proportions of their exteriors are interiors which represent the finest flowering of the Bundela school of painting. In the Laxminarayan Temple, vibrant murals encompassing a variety of religious and secular themes, bring the walls and ceiling to rich life.

Location
Orchha lies besides the Malwa plateau along the Betwa River.

History

The word Orchha literally means hidden place. Once the capital of the Bundelas, it is now just a village set among a wonderful complex of well-preserved palaces and temples. It was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput chieftain, Rudra Pratap and it remained the capital till 1783, when nearby Tikamgarh became the new capital. Orchha's golden age was during the first half of the 17th century. Of the succeeding rulers, the most notable was Raja Bir Singh Deo who ruled for almost 22 years. Complementing the notable proportions of the exteriors are the interiors that represent the finest flowering of the Bundela school of painting. Its impressive temples are visited by thousands of devotees. The area is peppered with fascinating little shrines and memorials, to add to the overwhelming feeling of nostalgia, the city evokes in the visitor.


Attractions around

Fort Complex and its Palaces The Royal romance Approached by a multi arched bridge over the Betwa River the complex is set on an island in the River, surrounded by fortified walls, with three palaces set in an open quadrangle- most spectacular of these being the Jahangir Mahal, built by Raja Bir Singh Deo to commemorate the visit of Moghul Emperor Jahangir to Orchha in 1606. There is also a small Archaeological Museum inside this palace. The Raj Mahal palace nearby is situated to the right of the quadrangle, whose interiors have exquisite murals, boldly colourful and on a variety of religious themes. The third palace is the Rai Parveen Mahal, built for the poetess and musician Rai Parveen, the paramour of Raja Indramani (1672-76). Jehangir visited Orchha in the first half of the 17th Century and the Jehangir Palace was, in fact, built to commemorate his visit. Palace of Raj Parveen is surrounded by a beautiful garden. Orchha takes you down in a romantic depth with the Mughal King Jehangir and Rai Parveen, the wife of Raja Indramani. She was a beautiful lady of her time with great artistic taste and abilities and a superb dancer as well as a singer. The dales of Orchha ring with the stories of Jehangir’s romance with her. Jehangir loved her deeply and wanted to marry her – an offer which she refused.


The Temples
Orchha's impressive temples date back to the 16th century. They are still in use today and are visited regularly by thousands of devotees.

Ram Raja Temple
This is the main temple in the centre of the modern village and also the only temple where Lord Ram is worshipped as Raja (king). Originally a palace, it was turned into a temple when an image of Lord Ram temporarily installed proved impossible to move. Today with its soaring spires and palatial architecture, the temple is surely one of the most unusual in India.


Chaturbhuj Temple
This is built on a massive stone platform and reached by a steep flight of steps. It was specially constructed to enshrine the image of Lord Rama that remained in the Raja Ram temple. Lotus emblems and other symbols of religious significance provide the delicate exterior ornamentation.


Laxmi Narayan Temple
Linked to the Raja Ram temple by a flagstone path, the style of this temple is an interesting synthesis of fort and temple moulds. The interior contains the most exquisite of Orchha's wall paintings. The murals are vibrant compositions covering a variety of spiritual and secular subjects. They are in an excellent state of preservation with the colours retaining their vivid quality. Dinman Hardaul's Palace or Palki Mahal located on the other side of the village, is another interesting monument of romance of the son of Bir Singh Ju Deo. Hardaul was suspected to have fallen in love with his brother's wife and as the rumors of this love spread far and wide, Hardaul put himself to death to prove that he was innocent. This saintly prince is worshipped as god and even today villages of Bundelkhand have platform like shrines where he is worshipped. Phool Bagh - meaning Flower Garden, is a walled complex, built as a summer retreat, laid out as a formal garden with a central row of fountains culminating in an eight-pillared palace pavilion.

The Chhatris
There are about 14 chhatris (cenotaphs) or memorials to the rulers of Orchha, grouped along the Kanchan Ghat of the Betwa River. Strewn around the area are little shrines and memorials, each with its own poignant history, each contributing to the nostalgic beauty is Orchha.

Sunder Mahal
This small palace, almost in ruins today, is still a place of pilgrimage for Muslims. Dhurjban, son of Jhujhar, embraced Islam when he wed a Muslim girl at Delhi. He spent the latter part of his life in prayer and meditation and came to be revered as a saint.

Getting There
Air : Nearest airports from Orchha are Gwalior (25Kms) or Khajuraho (1732 Kms.).

Rail :
The nearest railway station is at Jhansi (18 km from Orchha). As Jhansi is located on the main Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai route, many trains pass and stop here.

Road : Orchha lies on the Jhansi - Khajuraho road. Regular bus services connect Orchha with

Jhansi. There is regular bus service from -Jhansi (25Kms), Delhi, Gwalior, Agra, Bhopal and

Varanasi. Autorickshaws are also available on hire from Jhansi.