Places to visit in Orchha | Activities, History & How to reach
Orchha—which translates to "hidden place"—certainly lives up to its name. It is one of Central India's architectural treasures. It is frequently frequented by tourists due to its proximity to the Khajuraho temples and Jhansi city. It is particularly photogenic due to its picturesque attractiveness. There are many different types of tourist attractions in Orchha, such as temples, wildlife sanctuaries, riverbanks, river rafting, forts, palaces, and cenotaphs.
Orchha, a less-known tourist destination on the Jhansi-Khajuraho route, is a sleepy village of well-painted houses, market stalls, and a couple of beautiful government hotels that offer most of the basic amenities. The history of Orchha revolves around the Bundela dynasty that ruled over this region of Bundelkhand. All of these features combined in one location make this place suitable to be called a "hidden gem" of Madhya Pradesh tourism.
Orchha has a seductively distinct charm. It has a history as well as Indian poetry and music. It is also a unique example of mediaeval architecture in a warehouse. Once you enter Orchha, you find yourself in a dreamlike setting from a long time ago, where the Betwa River's gentle strain hums. The two-story brick Rai Praveen Mahal in the Anand Mahal garden is the most fascinating location in the Orchha complex. The architect was Raja Indramani. Raja Indramani's paramour was Rai Praveen, a multi-talented singer and exceptionally beautiful woman. Other noteworthy landmarks in the area are the renowned Dinman Hardaul temple, Phool Bagh, Laxmi Narayan Temple, and Chaturbhuj Temple, all of which have exquisite carvings on their niches and are fascinatingly beautiful.
History of Orchha
The distinctive architecture of its historically and religiously significant sites captivates tourists. The first emperor of Orchha (1501–1531) was Rudra Pratap Singh, a Bundela leader who founded the city in 1501 AD and constructed the Orchha citadel. While attempting to save a cow from a lion, he was killed. 'Madhukar Shah' constructed the Raj Mandir during his rule from 1554 to 1591, whereas the Queen of Orchha constructed the Chaturbhuj Temple during Akbar's reign. Bir Sing Deo, one of the successive kings during the reign of Rudra Pratap Singh, rebelled against Akbar and sided with Prince Salim, who subsequently granted him the kingdom of Orchha. He governed from 1605 until 1627, guaranteeing its continued prosperity.
To honour the Emperor's visit to Orchha, Raja Bir Singh Deo built the magnificent Jahangir Palace. His son, Jhujhar, was defeated by Shah Jahan's imperial army and was unable to gain the friendship of the Mughal Emperor. In the eleventh century, a Rajput prince offered himself as a sacrifice to the mountain goddess Vrindavasini, who stopped him and called him 'Bundela' (one who offered blood), thereby establishing the Bundela dynasty. After Orchha was pillaged, the Bundela capital was finally relocated to Tikamgarh in 1783. Then Hamir Singh ruled the region from 1848 to 1874 & which was elevated in the style of maharaja in 1865, Maharaja Pratap Singh (born 1854, died 1930), who succeeded to the throne in 1874, devoted himself utterly to the development of his state, himself designing most of the engineering and irrigation works that were executed during his rule.
To honour the Emperor's visit to Orchha, Raja Bir Singh Deo built the magnificent Jahangir Palace. His son, Jhujhar, was defeated by Shah Jahan's imperial army and was unable to gain the friendship of the Mughal Emperor. In the eleventh century, a Rajput prince offered himself as a sacrifice to the mountain goddess Vrindavasini, who stopped him and called him 'Bundela' (one who offered blood), thereby establishing the Bundela dynasty. After Orchha was pillaged, the Bundela capital was finally relocated to Tikamgarh in 1783.
Places to visit in Orchha
Located 20 kilometres from Jhansi city, Orchha is a little mediaeval town on the Betwa River. Despite being a small town, there are many historical sites in a condensed area that are well-maintained. There are temples, cenotaphs, a fort, a palace, a wildlife sanctuary, and the opportunity to raft the Betwa River. To give our readers a sense of the place, we have included brief descriptions of some of the most popular tourist attractions in Orchha. Please review the details provided below:
Jahangir Palace: Raja Bir Singh Deo's homage to Emperor Jahangir, which blends Hindu and Muslim architectural elements. Delicate chhatris (cenotaphs) and trellis work counterbalance its powerful lines, giving the overall sense of remarkable richness. Elephant figurines stand on either side of the palace's main entrance, which faces east. There are 136 chambers spread across three storeys of the palace. There are three kinds of balconies, four kinds of arches, five kinds of domes, and six kinds of ceilings. Visitors are immediately drawn in by a procession of elephants that have been sculpted out of stone. Cobalt and turquoise blue tiles adorn the palace's interior and outside walls. The remnants of the murals that were created in each chamber are still discernible.
Riverside cenotaphs: There are fifteen cenotaphs owned by Bundela rulers and their clan members situated on the southern bank (Kanchan ghat) of the river Betwa, 0.5 km from the Orchha bus stop. The temple's pinnacle is patterned in the Nagar (Indo Aryan) style of temple architecture, while the rest of the structure is designed in the panchayatna (five projections) style. The majority of the buildings are three stories high. Small cenotaphs supported by columns encircle the dome-shaped tops of each of the compartments on the four corners. Despite the fact that the majority of them are in poor shape, several are in excellent condition. A beautifully sculpted marble statue of Madhukar Shah is located on one of the cenotaphs.
Rai Praveen Mahal: During the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb (1672–75), Rai Praveen was Raja Indramani's favourite mistress. This graceful two-story brick structure appears to be more Mughal than Bundela. It is bright and airy, with a main hall, terraces facing out over its formal gardens, and small chambers. A talented dancer, singer, pianist, and poetess, Rai Praveen was connected to the renowned Hindi poet Keshav Das.
Ram Raja Temple: The only place in the nation where Rama is revered as monarch, the temple boasts opulent grandeur and captivating sprites. The picture of Lord Rama is seated on a throne in the Ram Raja Temple, with Sita, Hanuman, and his brother surrounding him. Thousands of people from the surrounding districts flock to the temple to celebrate the birth of Lord Rama during Ram Navami, which is a time of intense activity. The vibrant festival of Vivah Panchmi, which takes place in November or December, honours the union of Ram and Sita.
Chaturbhuj Temple: As the largest temple in Orchha, Chaturbhuj Temple was built specifically to house the image of Lord Rama that was still in the Ram Raja Temple. It is situated on a huge stone platform and is accessible by a steep set of steps.
Laxminarayan Temple: With the Ram Raja temple, that integrates features of fort’s design. The interiors have the most exquisite of wall painting of the Bundela School. Covering the walls ceilings of 3 rooms, these murals cover a variety of spiritual & secular subjects.
Phool Bagh: A clever water ventilation system connected the subterranean palace with a bowl-shaped structure that simulated rainfall by allowing water droplets from fountains to trickle through to the ceiling. Dinman Hardaul Temple: Bir Singh Deo's younger son killed himself to clear his older brother Jhujhar of an affair he had allegedly had with his consort. Following his martyrdom, this holy prince was revered as a god, and even now, Hardol is worshipped on platforms resembling shrines in the villages of Bundelkhand.
Activity in Orchha
- Visit the Orchha Fort and Palace complex.
- Explore the Chaturbhuj Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu
- Witness the stunning architecture of the Raj Mahal.
- Take a boat ride on the Betwa River.
- Visit the Ram Raja Temple, the only temple where Lord Ram is worshipped as a king.
- Explore the Cenotaphs or Chhatris, dedicated to the rulers of Orchha.
- Enjoy a sound and light show at the Orchha Fort in the evening.
- Visit the Raja Ram Mandir, a temple dedicated to Lord Ram and his wife Sita.
Rafting in the Betwa River: The best views of the Chhatris are from the river, but you may also obtain decent views from the land. The first gentle rapids were reached by rafting and paddling upstream. Newcomers can get a sense of what white-water is like from this. The rafting trip covers 3 kms & takes approximately 45 minutes. Even the ghostly horsemen, who are sometimes reported to visit the hamlet, could not have had a more exciting experience of magical Orchha.
How to Reach Orchha
Although Orchha has its own train station, Jhansi (15 km away) is the closest large train station. There are two options for getting from Jhansi to Orchha: taking an autorickshaw or opting for a more costly yet cosy taxi. Since Orchha and Khajuraho are so near, many tourists travel from Khajuraho to Orchha. To get here, they can take a rail to Jhansi or Orchha, and then take a taxi or autorickshaw.
The most cost-effective way to get from Jhansi to Orchha is via tuk-tuk, which is a horse-drawn carriage. The closest major airport to Orchha is Gwalior, which is 116 km away and has connections to the majority of the nation. To get to Orchha from Gwalior, you can hire a taxi. Additionally, buses run between Orchha and other neighbouring locations, including Varanasi, Delhi, Bhopal, Gwalior, and Khajuraho.
Best time to visit Orchha
The best time to visit Orchha is from October to March. However, as the rains are generally mediocre here, you can also come during the monsoon season. The town is lively during the Dusshera celebrations, and the mild winters make it the perfect time to discover Orchha's architectural and historical splendour. Travellers typically avoid the summer months because of the harsh temperatures they bring.
