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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. It remained the capital until 1783, when nearby Tikamgadh became the new capital. Of the succeeding rulers, the most notable of whom was Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo.
He was a great favourite of Prince Salim and remained a powerful figure for as long as Prince Salim was the emperor of India. Once Shah Jahan became the Mughal emperor, Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo was out of favour with the Mughal court. When he revolted, he was defeated by 13 year old Aurangzeb.
What is charming about Orchha is that it is possible to stay in the palace and simply become part of the medieval drama. The Bundela School of painting finds expression in the Laxminarayan Temple and Raj Mahal, where vibrant murals encompass a variety of religious and secular themes.
PLACES TO SEE:
There are three beautiful palaces set in the open quadrangle of the fort in Orchha.
Jahangir Mahal: It was Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo who built the exquisite Jehangir Mahal in honour of emperor Jehangir, when Jehangir visited Orchha. A tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatris, from here the view of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs is spectacular.
Raj Mahal: Built by the deeply religious Madhukar Shah, it is situated to the right of the quadrangle. In Raj Mahal a trail through the maze of intricate stairways leading to numerous turrets is an experience in itself, evoking nostalgia of the thrilling lifestyle of the royals. The interiors have exquisite colourful murals, on a variety of religious themes. From the turrets, one is treated to a breathtaking view of Jahangir Mahal on the east and the Chaturbhuj temple on the west.
Rai Praveen Mahal: This palace was built for the beautiful paramour of Raja Indramani (1672-76), who was a poetess and a musician. It is a low two-storey brick structure, designed so as to match the height of the trees in the surrounding, beautifully landscaped gardens of Anand Mahal, with its octagonal flower beds and elaborate water supply system.
Ram Raja Temple: This palace turned temple with its soaring spires and palatial architecture is one of the most unusual in India. The legend goes that the statue of Ram, brought from Ayodhya was temporarily installed here while a temple for it was being built. Later on, it was impossible to move the statue to the new location. It is the only temple in the country where Ram is worshipped as a Raja (king), probably because the statue of the god is in a palace.
Chaturbhuj Temple: This temple was specially constructed to enshrine the image of Ram that remained in the Ram Raja Temple. Lotus emblems and other symbols of religious significance provide the delicate exterior ornamentation. Within, the sanctum is chastely plain with high and its vaulted walls emphasise its deep sanctity.
Laxminarayan Temple: The style of this temple is a mixture of fort and temple moulds. Its interiors contain the most beautiful of Orchha’s paintings. These murals cover the walls and ceiling of three halls and cover a variety of spiritual and secular subjects. They are in an excellent state of preservation.
Cenotaphs: There are fourteen cenotaphs or chhatries dedicated to the rulers of Orchha, along the Kanchana Ghat of the river Betwa.
Other attractions of Orchha are Phool Bagh, Shrines of Siddh babe Ka Sthan, Jugal Kishore, the Janki Mandir and the Hanuman Mandir.
GETTING THERE:
By Air: The nearest airport is Gwalior (119 km), which is connected to Delhi, Bhopal, Indore and Bombay. Khajuraho, which is 170 km from Orchha, is connected to Delhi, Agra and Varanasi.
By Rail: The nearest railway station to Orchha is Jhansi which is 16 km from Orchha. It is on the Bombay-Delhi and Delhi-Madras main lines. All major mail and express trains stop at Jhansi.
By Road: Orchha is on the Jhansi-Khajuraho road. There are regular buses and tempos from the Jhansi bus stand for the 18 km journey to Orchha.
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