Orchha is a very famous and enchanting location in Madhya Pradesh, India. This is a beautiful town in the Niwari district of the state, well known for its history and architecture. The town is on the bank of the Betwa River and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in MP. It is about 18km from Jhansi which you can cover with local transport or via cars. The town does not have a bus or train station so, tourists have to travel to Jhansi first. However, this magnificent town has so many things to explore and experience.
This incredible part of the Bundelkhand region has different stories that explain the town’s glory. Orchha has a spiritual vibe decorating the ancient history of its forts and rulers. The city has treasured the originality of the regional culture and traditions to date. The majestic town earlier was the capital of the Bundela Dynasty and over the years become the cultural and architectural hub. However, through this blog let’s travel to this slow-paced town in the heart of India.
History of the City
Raja Rudra Pratap Singh, a Bundela Rajput Chief, built the magnificent Orchha Fort and became the first king in 1501. In 1531, his hier Bharti Chand shifted their capital here from Garh Kundar to be safe from Mughal pressure. After this, Raja Madhukiar Shah, during his period of 1554 – 1591, built many temples here. These monuments and temples are built in the Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture. One of these temples is the Ram Raja Temple, which is the most prominent temple in the city.
Further from 1605 to 1627, Raja Bir Singh Deo ruled the city and made it an architectural marvel. He had good relations with the Mughal emperor Jahangir, who provided him with many favors. Therefore, he built the Jahangir Mahal in his honor for one night only. Later the influence of the Mughals increased in the democratic of Orchha. Hence, the rulers found themselves caught between the Mughal and Maratha’s dominance. In 1635, the kingdom was under the influence of the Mughal Prince Aurangzeb.
Orchha Fort
This fort is one of the most beautiful forts of Medival India, standing majestically in MP. Its astonishing architecture combines the Rajput and Mughal styles. Orchha Fort was built in the 16th and 17th centuries by the Bundela dynasty. This magnificent palace is decorated with mirrors on ceilings, latticed windows, and projected balconies. However, it houses many beautifully designed palaces, gardens, and courts.
- Raja Mahal:- This is the main palace in the fort also known as the King’s Palace. The royal family lived here till the 18th century. The mahal has a simple exterior just opposite its interior chambers which are designed in astonishing architecture. There you can see religious murals with mythological characters and high ceilings decorated with majestic mirrors.
- Jahangir Mahal:- It was founded by Raja Bir Singh Deo in 1605 in honor of the Mughal King Jahangir. The palace is built in a symmetrical square in the inner courtyard of the fort. It is a four-story building with architectural marvels and an archeological museum. Moreover, the staircase leads to the beautiful view of the Bewta River and the Temples.
- Sheesh Mahal: The palace is between Raja Mahal on one side and Jahangir Mahal on the other. In 1763, Udait Singh built it for the residential visit of guests. The palace is designed with shiny green-blue tiles. Hence, it gives sparkling effects when light shines through the rooftop jaalis. Now, it has transformed into a luxurious heritage hotel for tourists on the upper floor.
- Phool Bagh:- This is a beautiful garden in the complex with multiple fountains, which results in Chandan Katora. Below the garden, there is an eight-pillar pavilion used as the summer retreat for the royalties. The water from the Chandan Katora falls in the form of droplets from the roof of this pavilion as rain.
Tourist Places in Orchha
- Raja Ram Mandir:- This a magnificent temple of Lord Ram where he is worshipped in the form of a King. The temple was built in 1575 by Queen Kamla Devi of Orchha in her palace. According to the stories, the self-manifested idol of Ram Raja here is bought by the Queen from Ayodhya. This is the palace of Raja Ram and it is believed that he is the only king of the city to date.
- Laxmi Mandir:- This historical temple was founded by Bir Singh Deo of the Bundela Dynasty in 1618. The temple is on the hill top 2km away from the city center and looks like a crown to the city. However, it is in honor of Devi Laxmi the goddess of wealth and prosperity but does not have any idol. The thief has robbed the idols twice from the temple leaving its seat empty.
- Kalp Vriksh:- This is one of the three oldest trees in the world, about 500 years old. The tree is also known as the wish-fulfilling tree or the tree of life. It is a beautiful and peaceful location in the city about 1km from the Laxmi Temple. Hence you can visit here to sit under the tree and experience the divinity of its surroundings.
- Betwa River:- It is one of the tributaries of the Yamuna River and has a huge importance in Hinduism. The river view adds a scenic view to the city’s beauty and houses many temples on its banks. Kanchan Ghat is the famous ghat here where you can experience the evening aarti with a mesmerizing sunset. However, you can also do various adventures like kayaking, river rafting, and sailing in the river.
Conclusion
Orchha is a beautiful historic destination in the country housing many astonishing architectural structures. The city has various forts as well as temples designed and built by the Bundela rulers. Moreover, the city has an incredible food flavor highlighting the authentic traditional dishes of MP. The famous food items here include Kebabs, Mawa-Batti, Malpua, Kalakand, Bhutte ka Khees, and many more. However, the Bundelkhand was famous for its Bundeli Ghost and Kebabs. Now travel buys are everyone’s favorite, so what to buy in Orchha is a question. For that, you can visit the local cultural market of the city and explore the popular Dhokra metal artifacts. Additionally, you can buy showpieces, mementos, and wrought iron articles. The city is a majestic destination to travel and experience the history of India.
If you want to know more about travel in India, then stay updated with Ghummoindia.com.