Poetry carved in stone, landscape dotted with stone boulders, temples and royal palaces, and the sound of a slow meandering river breaking the silence of a sleepy town – sounds like Hampi but that is Orchha in Madhya Pradesh for you. Situated slightly more than 12 km from Jhansi, Orchha, just like the which means of its name, is a hidden gem waiting for travelers to discover its magic. It is a fantastic gateway for these who want to break the monotony and see India beyond glossy coffee table books. From history to nature and from religion to adventure, Orchha has anything or the other to give for any travel itinerary. Together with Gwalior, Orchha has joined the UNESCO World Heritage List below the urban landscape city programme of the UN agency. The selection has provided the erstwhile Bundela capital city a new identity on the planet tourism map. Established in the early 16th century by the Bundela chieftain Rudra Pratap Singh, the town boasts of some lofty and beautifully sculpted monuments, temples, palaces and cenotaphs. Lets discover the areas to stop by in this quaint wee town situated on the banks of River Betwa.
Orchha Fort and Jehangir Mahal: Situated on an island in the Betwa river, Orchha fort complicated homes lots of palaces such as Jehangir Mahal, Raja Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and Rai Praveen Mahal. One can attain the fort from the town by means of granite stone bridge possessing 14 arches. The primary attraction of Orchha fort is Jehangir Mahal which has 236 rooms and a massive central courtyard. It was constructed by the Bundela king Vir Singh Deo as a symbol of his friendly alliance with Mughal Emperor Jehangir on his stop by to the area. The Mahal has a exceptional blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture and has an imposing entrance, massive sufficient to even accommodate war elephants. The palace is situated at the highest point in the fort complicated and overlooks the entire town and Vindhya variety across the two branch of the Betwa river encircling the fort.
Right in in between the Raja Mahal and Jehangir Mahal is the Sheesh Mahal palace constructed by king Udait Singh. It now homes a attractive accommodation for vacationers maintained by the MP Tourism Board. Its royal suites give some gorgeous sights of the surroundings.
Ram Raja Temple and Chaturbhuj Temple: Together, they are the two most visited and lofty websites in Orchha respectively. Ram Raja temple has a exceptional distinction of housing Lord Ram as a kid-king. Originally a Ranivaas or queen’s palace, the Ram Raja Temple is frequented by devotees on especial occasions like Makar Sankranti, Vasant Panchami, Maha Shivratri, Ram Navami, Kartik Purnima and Vivaha Panchami. The story of how a queen’s palace came to develop into temple and why the deity did not move to the Chaturbhuj temple constructed for it is a stuff of legends. The Chaturbhuj Temple constructed by King Madhukar Shah and King Vir Singh Deo of Orchha is popular fot possessing one of the tallest Vimanas amongst Hindu temples. It towers in the skyline of Orchha town, standing at 344 feet.
Lakshmi Temple: Dedicated to the goddess of wealth and prosperity, the Lakshmi Temple was constructed for the duration of the reign of Bundela king Vir Singh Deo. Its structure is a exceptional mix of temple and fort architecture and is constructed utilizing lime mortar and bricks. It has cannon slots on its roof leading. Its wall are lively with wealthy painting depicting Hindu religious legends like Kroshna leela, Ramayana, and so on. Temple frescos show a blend of Mughal and Bundelkhandi art . One of the most popular paintings on its wall is that of ‘Shungi Chiriya’, a mythological monstrous bird which is stated to have the strength to capture elephants in its talons.
Orchha Chhatris or Cenotaphs: The most iconic internet site of Orchha is its several cenotaphs dotting the banks of of Betwa river. The image has develop into Orchha most recognized symbol. Chhatris or Cenotaphs are the memorials of rulers and other critical figures. The most identified cenotaphs are these of Kingh Vir Singh Deo Bundela, Jaswant Singh, Udait Singh, Pahar Singh and other folks. The chhataris of Orchha are constructed in Panchaytan style. Located on the Kanchan Ghat, these chhatris are frequented by most travelers to catch a glimpse of mesmerizing sunrise or sunset.
Adventure activities in Orchha: Its is stated that the wee town of Orchha has anything for each and every traveller – be it history or religion. For adventure enthusiasts, there is river rafting, kayaking, nature trekking and cycling. This rafting in Betwa river offers vacationers an awesome knowledge of riding more than the rapids close to Orchha and also offers them with an chance to see town and its sights from a distinct angle.
Staying in Orchha: For a modest town, Orchha provides some actually awesome areas to remain such as homestays and plush however very affordable hotels. MPT Sheesh Mahal and Betwa Retreat are two of the most sought soon after accommodations. Other hotels are Amar Mahal Hotel, Orchha Palace Hotel, Bundelkhand Riverside, and so on.
Visiting Orchha: The Best time to stop by Orchha is From October to February-March. Some individuals like to stop by Orchha for the duration of Monsoon to knowledge lush greenery of Vindhya hills. Orchha is effectively-connected by road to areas like Jhansi, Khajuraho and Gwalior. It is just more than 13 km from Jhansi. Tourists can employ a cab or bus to attain Orchha. The nearest railhead is Jhansi which is effectively-connected with each and every important Indian city and nearest airports are Gwalior and Khajuraho.