Splendor of ancient times with salubrious climate
Orchha in the Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh was the erstwhile capital city of the redoubtable Bundela kings. 16th and 17th century palaces and temples make Orchha, a famous tourist destination in Madhya Pradesh.
Bordered by the beautiful Betwa River, Orchha reflects the sumptuousness and magnificence of the mighty Bundelas. An artificial island with the meaning a ‘hidden place,’ Orchha, lives up to its name. Placed in the lustrous Bundelkhand countryside, this pretty locale is bestowed with natural beauty and splendor.
With its striking forts, regal palaces, poetry carved temples and chhatris, Orchha presents a matchless spectacle and is a delightful place for photographers. An effervescent city with salubrious climate and glorious past, Orchha is renowned for its world class mural paintings. The outstanding frescos on the walls of the marvelous temples and regal palace of Orcha makes the viewer spellbound.
The splendor of ancient times hangs all around this historic city, and the remains of numerous palaces and havelis that withstood the beatings of time, fills the town with an air of quixotic reminiscence. Orchha is well known for its graceful monuments, which displays unique and exclusive architectural grandeur. Elaborately decorated monuments with domes, brackets, pillars, arch and ledges the place shows the influence of different architectural styles.
A sleepy village surrounded by a woody forest, Orchha showcases the rich heritage of medieval times. This exotic city, with garish monuments and majestic temples makes it picturesquely bobbling and fascinating. During your visit, make sure to taste “Kalakand” which is a famous sweet of Orchha.
Attractions
Chandrashekhar Azad Memorial: A monument commemorating the martyrdom of the great freedom fighter Chandrashekhar Azad, Shahid Smarak is situated at Orchha in the Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh. Though this is a contemporary testimonial, its great historical importance, attracts large number of people. It was here the revolutionary hero of Indian independence spent his days of exile or ‘agyatvaas’ in
1926-1927.
Chhatris: Picturesquely poised on the banks of beautiful river Betwa, Chhatris in Orchha have a mesmerizing appeal. The royal tombs of Maharajas, Chhatris are placed on an elevated platform and are supported by pillars.
Dauji Ki Haveli: Orchha is a hub of trading activities from very ancient times and this gave birth to the raising of a new class of people called merchants. These merchants were not only rich but also very influential among the ruling regime. The merchants used their wealth to build palatial mansions with elaborate decorations and splendid architecture. These mansions are the replicas of the royal palaces. In Orchha, there are many ornamented houses, popularly called Havelis.
Raja Mahal: The royal residence of erstwhile kings of Orchha, Raja Mahal is situated in Tikamgarh district, Madhya Pradesh. Beautiful towers decorate the exterior of this magnificent palace, and outstanding mural paintings adorn the interiors.
Rani Mahal: Prettily situated in the fort complex, Rani Mahal in Orchha is famous for its lovely paintings and unique architecture. Rani Mahal, which is also known as the Queen’s Chamber was the royal residence of the Queen of Raja Madhukar Shah. A great devotee of Lord Ram, the queen decorated her bedroom with murals featuring scenes from the epics.
Laxmi Narayan Temple: Laxmi Narayan Temple in Orchha exhibits a unique style of architecture, which is a beautiful mix of a fort and a temple moulds. The walls of this charming shrine are elaborately decorated with fabulous mural paintings, which show pulsating compositions from mythological themes. This temple also houses the very famous post mutiny paintings.
Best time to visit
The best season to visit Orchha is the winter season. The temperature remains comfortable and is apt for visiting the places of interest in Orchha. The best months to visit are October, November, December, January, February and March
How to reach
By Train: Jhansi railway station, 16 km away from Orchha, is the nearest railway station. Jhansi is situated on the major rail route and there are regular train services to the major cities in India.
By Air: Gwalior is the nearest airport to Orchha (116 km). Flight services are available to Khajuraho, Delhi and Varanasi.
By Bus: Many private and Government Transport bus services are available to reach Orchha from Jhansi (16 km). Orchha is well connected by buses with Bhopal, Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho and Gwalior. Super fast, Tourist A/C and Deluxe buses are also available.
