Orchha
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The medieval city of Orchha, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, seems to have frozen in time, its palaces and temples still retaining their original grandeur. The city, located by the side of the beautiful Betwa river, was founded by the Bundela Rajput chieftain, Rudra Pratap, in the 16th century.

The word Orchha means 'hidden'. When the Tughlaqs, who were ruling Delhi in the 15th century, pushed the Bundelkhand rajas out of Garkhundar, they retreated to distant Orchha.

Apart from the famous landmarks like Jehangir Mahal, the Laxminarayan Temple, the area is peppered with fascinating little shrines and memorials, all of which add to the overwhelming feeling of nostalgia, the city evokes in the visitor

Places to visit
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Orchha's fort complex, the entrance of which is a multi-arched bridge, has three impressive palaces placed in an open quadrangle. The first of these is the Jehangir Mahal, built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo in the 17th century, to mark the occasion of Emperor Jehangir's visit to the city. Fragile chhatries, and ornate trellis work heighten the effect of artistic richness. The Raj Mahal was built by Madhukar Shah, the religious predecessor of Bir Singh Ju Deo. A trail through the network of stairways, leading to the turrets, is an amazing experience. The interiors boast of intricate murals, depicting various religious themes. The Rai Praveen Mahal was built for the famous musician-poetess paramour of King Indramani, Rai Praveen, as a mark of admiration by Emperor Akbar. This was the result of his being touched by the intense purity of her ardour for Indramani.

Orchha also prides itself on its lovely garden, Phool Bagh, which testifies to the fine aesthetic sensibility of the Bundelas. A central row of fountains culminates in an eight - pillared palace -cum - pavilion. A subterranean structure, below, functioned as the pleasant summer hideout of the Orchha kings. An ingenious system of water ventilation linked the underground retreat with Chandan Katora, a bowl-shaped structure, from whose fountains, drops of water filtered through to the roof, giving the appearance of rainfall. There are 14 cenotaphs or chhatries to the rulers of Orchha, across the Kanchana Ghat of the Betwa river. The Shahid Smarak commemorates the great freedom fighter, Chandrashekhar Azad who lived and worked in hiding in Orchha, during 1926 and 1927.


How to Get There
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By air
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The nearest airport is Gwalior (120 km), connected with Delhi, Bhopal, Indore and Mumbai. Khajuraho (170 km) is linked with Delhi, Agra, and Varanasi.

By rail
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The nearest railhead is at Jhansi (16 km), on the Mumbai - Delhi and Delhi - Chennai lines. All major mail and express trains stop at Jhansi.

By road
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Orchha lies on the Jhansi - Khajuraho road. Regular bus services connect Orchha with Jhansi. Autorickshaws are available on hire from Jhansi for a tour of all the tourist spots in Orchha.

Where to Stay
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Hotel Sheesh Mahal (M.P.T), Betwa Cottages (M.P.T), Hotel Mansarovar (SADA), Hotel Palaki Mahal (SADA), Sattar Yatri Niwas (SADA) are some of the available means of accomodation.

Contact
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Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.
Head Office - Bhopal; 4th Floor, Gangotri, T.T.Nagar, Bhopal - 462003
Tel : (0755) 554340 - 43 Fax: 0755 - 552384

 

 

