Orchha is located in India and is famous for is well preserved temples and palaces on the Betwa river. Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rulers who
chose this stretch of land along the Betwa river as an ideal site for his
capital. Today Orchha is just a village, set amongst well preserved palaces and
temples. The hidden city of Orchha is definitely worth a visit and a lot of
travelers are beginning to discover Orchha's peaceful beauty. You could take a
tour group or tour on your own. It is also possible to get a room in one of
these palaces which will make your experience even more memorable.
LOCATION:
Orchha is situated in the Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh on the Betwa
river near Jhansi. 220 Kms from Agra and a 4 hours drive by road.
Orchha's fort complex consists of three palaces along with a number of impressive temples and memorials. The most spectacular palaces are Raj Mahal, Rai Parveen Mahal and Jahangir Mahal.
ORCHHA PALACES:
Raj Mahal was built in the 17th century by Madhukar Shah. The exteriors of this palace are crowned my chhatris (memorials) and the interior is decorated with exquisitely detailed and colorful murals depicting a variety of religious themes.
The Rai Parveen palace was built for the poetess and Musician, Rai Parveen who's beauty had captivated Emperor Akbar. The two storied structure was designed to match the height of the surrounding trees.
The Jahangir Mahal was built by Raja Bir Singh Deo in the 17th century. This palace is popular for its strong lines counterbalanced by its delicate chhatris and trellis work.
ORCHHA TEMPLES:
Along with its exquisite palaces, Orchha is also famous for its fascinating collection of impressive Temples. The most popular of these is the Ram Raja Temple which has a palatial architecture.
The Chaturbhuj Temple is erected upon a massive stone platform which is reached by a steep flight stairs. This temple was built to enshrine the image of Lord Rama. It is ornamented with lotus emblems and other symbols of religious significance.
Lakshmi Narayan Temple is linked to the Ram Raja Temple and its interiors contain the most exquisite of Orchha's wall paintings.
OTHER ORCHHA ATTRACTIONS:
Some of the other attractions other than palaces and temples are: Phool Bagh Complex, Dinman Hardaul's Palace, Sunder Mahal, Cenotraphs, Shahid Smarak.
HOW TO REACH:
To visit the palaces and temples of Orchha you can use the following available transportation:
By Air: Nearest airport is Gwalior -120 kms.
By Rail: Nearest railhead is Jhansi -19 kms.
By Road: Orchha lies on the Jhansi - Khajuraho road.
