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Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in
time; a rich legacy to the ages. For on this medieval city, the hand of
time has rested lightly and the places and temples built by its Bundela
rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their pristine
perfection.
Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput chieftain
Rudra Pratap who chose this streatch of land along the Betwa river as an
ideal site for his capital. Of the succeeding rulers, the most notable was
Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo who built the exquisite Jehangir Mahal, a tiered
palace crowned by graceful chhatries. From here the view of soaring temple
spires and cenotaphs is spectacular.
Complementing the noble proportions of their exteriors and interiors
which represent the finest flowering of the Bundela school of painting. In
the Laxminarayan Temple, Vibrant Murals encompassing a variety of
religious and secular themes, bring the walls and ceiling to rich life.
Strewn around the area are little shrines and memorials, each with its
own poignant history, each contributing to the nostalgic beauty is Orchha.
What to See
Orchha's fort complex, approaches by a multi-arched bridge, has threee
palaces set in an open quadrangle. The most spectacular of thee are :
Jehangir Mahal : 
Built
by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo in the 17th century to commemorate the visit of
Emperor Jehangir to Orchha. Its strong lines are counterbalanced by
delicate chhatries and treillies work, the whole conveying an effect of
extraordinary richness.
Raj Mahal : Situated to the right of the quardrangle, this palace
was built by Madhukar Shah, the deeply religious predecessor of Bir Singh
Ju Deo. The plain exteriors, crowned by Chharties, give way to interiors
with exquisite murals, boldly colourful, on a variety of religious themes.
Rai Praveen Mahal : Poetess and musician, Rai Praveen was the
beautiful paramour of Raja Indramani (1672-76), and was sent to Delhi on
the orders of Emperor Akbar, who was captivated by her. She so impressed
the Great Mughal with the purity of her love for Indramani that he sent
here back to Orchha. The palace built for her is a low, two storeyed brick
structure, designed 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. Skilfully carved niches allow
light into the Mahal which has a main hall and smaller chambers.
Ram Raja Temple : This palace - turned - temple has a charming
legend attached to it. Following the dream visitatio of Lord Rama,
Madhukar Shah's wife, Ganesh Kunawari brought a statue of the god from
Ayodha to Orcha. While the king was a worshipper of Lord Kridhna, the
Queen was devotee of Lord Krishna, the queen was a devotee of lord Rama.
The image was placed in a palace prior to its installation in a temple.
When
the idol proved impossible to move, the queen recalled, too late the
deity's edict that the image would remain in the place where it was first
installed. Today, with its soaring spires and palatial architecture, the
temple is surely one of the most unusual in India. It is also the only in
the country where Rama is worshipped as a king (Raja).
Chaturbhuj Temple : Built upon a massive stone platform and
reached by a steep flight of steps. The temple was specially constructed
to enshrine the image of Ram that remained in the Ram Raja Templ. Lotus
emblems and other symbols of religious significance provide the delicate
exterior ornamentation. Within, the sanctum is chastely plain with high,
vaulted walls emphasizing its deep sanctity.
Laxminarayana temple : A flagstone path links this temple with the
Ram Raja Temple. The style is an interesting synthesis of fort and temple
moulds. The interiors Covering the walls and ceiling of three halls, these
murals are vibrant compositions and cover a variety of spiritual and
secular subjects. They are in an excellent state of preservation, with the
colours retaining their vivid quality.
Phool Bagh : Laid out as a formal garden, this
complex testifies to the refined aesthetic qualities of the Bundelas. A
central row of fountains culminates in an eight-pillared palace-pavilion.
A subterranean structure below was the cool summer retreat of the Orchha
kings. An ingenious systems of water ventilation connected the under
ground palace with Chandan Katora, a bow-like structure from whose
fountains droplets of water filtered through to the roof, simulating
rainfall.
Dinman Hardaul's Palace : Hardaul was a son of Bir Singh Ju Deo,
and died to prove his innocence to his elder brother Jhujhar who cast
doubts on his relationship with his (Jhujhar's) consort. This saintly
prince was, after his martyrdom, worshipped as a god, and even today, the
villages of Bundelkhand contain platform -like shrines where Hardaul is
worshipped.
Sunder Mahal : This small palace, almost in ruins today, is still
a place of pilgrimage for Muslims Dhurjban, son of Jhujhar, embraced Islam
when he wed a Muslim girl at Delhi. He spent the latter part of his life
in prayer and meditation and came to be revered as a saint.
Chhatries (Cenotaphs) : There are fourteen 'Chatries' or memorials
to the rulers of Orchha, grouped along the Kanchana Ghat of the river
Betwa.
Shahid
Smarak : Commemorates the great freedom fighter Chandrashekhar Azad
who lived and worked in hiding in Orchha during 1926 and '27
Other places worth seeing in Orchha are the shrines of Siddh Baba Ka
Sthan, Jugal Kishore, the Janki Mandir and the Hanuman
Mandir at Ohharedwara.
How to Reach
By Rail : Nearest railhead at Jhansi (16 km), on the Mumbai -
Delhi and Delhi - Madras main lines, Al major mail and express trains stop
at Jhansi.
By Road : Orchha lies on the Jhansi - Khajuraho Road. Regular bus
service connect Orchha with Jhansi.