ORCHHA: The capital of Bundelkhand that lies between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh

Orchha is a small town in Madhya Pradesh, located on the bank of the Betwa River, about 80 kilometres from the Tikamgarh district in Madhya Pradesh and 15 kilometres from Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh. Rudra Pratap, the Bundela Rajput Chief, founded it in the 16th century. 

The Sanskrit word Orchha means 'hidden.' It's a lovely hidden gem tucked away in the dense forests of Madhya Pradesh's Niwari district. So, if you want to appreciate and enjoy the lush green deep forest, its fauna, and the water-filled river Betwa, come to Orchha during the monsoon season of July to September and during the winter months of October to February.

Orchha view through Betwa River

Raja Ram Mandir

Orchha is well-known for the Ram Raja Temple, also known as the Orchha Temple. It is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage that attracts a great number of worshippers on a regular basis. This is the only temple in India where Lord Ram is worshipped as both a God and a King. 

Madhukar Shah was a great devotee of Lord Krishna, and he used to visit Bankey Bihari on a regular basis, but his wife, Queen Ganeshkuwari, was a devotee of Lord Ram, and one day, Ganeshkumari went to Ayodhya against her husband's will to bring the idol of Lord Ram that she wanted to house in the newly built temple that she ordered to be built, the Chaturbhuj Mandir.

Chaturbhuj Temple

She fasted and meditated on the banks of the Saryu River. Lord Rama was impressed by the queen's remarkable devotion and came in the form of a child on her lap. He consented to accompany her to Orchha on the following terms: first, only the queen can install his idol, and once it is installed, it cannot be removed. Second, she must carry the idol in her arms and proceed to Orchha on foot, where Lord Rama must be treated as a king.

Following Lord Ram's directions, the queen proceeded to Orchha. Meanwhile, Madhukar Shah had a dream in which Lord Krishna chastised him and told him that we (Lord Ram and Lord Krishna) both are incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

Madhukar realized his mistake and followed the Queen, but she declined all the luxuries.

It took months for the queen to reach Orchha, and when she returned to Raja Mahal, she discovered that Chaturbhuj Mandir was still being built, so she kept the idol in the palace.

The queen attempted to re-install the idol at the Chaturbhuj Temple after it was completed, but she was unsuccessful. Then she remembered Lord Rama's condition that it could not be removed once it was installed.

Raja Ram Mandir (or Orchha Temple)

As a result, a portion of the Raja Mahal Palace has been transformed into a temple known as the Raja Ram Mandir or the famous Orchha Temple. This is the only place in India where Lord Rama is worshipped as both God and King, and every day he is saluted with a gunshot. The Magnificent Chaturbhuj Temple still stands there, but without any idols.

The Ram Raja Mandir is one of India's most famous temples, attracting a large number of devotees each year, estimated to be approximately 7 lakh, including foreigners. Various festivals, on the other hand, are held in the temple, such as Ramnavmi, Dusshera, Diwali, Saawan, etc.

Other tourist attractions in Orchha

The Orchha Fort complex contains numerous buildings, temples, and gardens. The Jahangir Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, and Raja Mahal are the three most important palaces seen here. 

Orchha Fort Complex showing Jahangir Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, and Raja Mahal

Bir Singh Deo, a Bundela ruler, built the Jahangir Mahal in the 17th century. The friendship between Bir Singh Deo and Jahangir is symbolized by this palace. This palace was built in Jahangir's honor during his first visit to Orchha. The traditional and elegant gateways greet visitors at the palace's entry. The palace's front wall, which faces east, is covered with turquoise tiles. The Jahangir Mahal is a remarkable tourist destination due to its grandeur and superb Mughal architecture.

The Sheesh Mahal is surrounded by the Raja Mahal and the Jahangir Mahal. This palace was built for King Udait Singh and offers royal amenities with high ceilings, beautiful walls, and a large dining area. The historic Sheesh Mahal Palace is now transformed into a hotel where guests can experience royalty.

The Raja Mahal was built by Raja Rudra Pratap Singh (1501-1531), the founder of the Orchha State, but he was unable to complete the structure and died in 1531. The main structure was constructed during the reign of Bharti Chand (1531-1554). However, by the time Madhukar Shah arrived, the final construction had been completed (1554-1594). Madhukar Shah was a great ruler and a devotee of Lord Krishna, however, it was during Madhukar Shah only  Bundelas became Vassal of Mughal. The Mughal and the Rajputana architecture can be seen in the Raja Mahal. The exterior of the building is simple and beautiful, while the interiors are royal and artistic.

The Phool Bagh is a well-kept garden within the fort complex that served as the resting place for the former Bundela rulers. In the historic land of Orchha, this lovely garden currently enchants visitors with its rich vegetation. This Bagh was made in honor of Bir Singh Deo's younger son, Lala Dinman Hardaul Singh. Locals worshipped him as their God and still believed that Hardaul visited weddings to whom he had been invited. So, the first invitation of any wedding in town is given to him. The reason for sending him the first invitation has a fascinating backstory.

Lala Dinman Hardaul's elder brother (Jhujjar Singh) suspected his wife of having an extramarital affair with Hardaul and ordered his wife to poison Hardaul to prove her innocence. Hardaul consumed the poison and sacrificed his life to prove his sister-in-law's innocence. When the wedding of her sister's daughter was fixed, she went to her elder brother to invite him, but he told her to go and invite your loving brother Hardaul, so she went to his Samadhi and cried. The locals believed that Hardaul attended the wedding of her sister's daughter and performed all Mama-related ceremonies.

The Sawan Bhadon Pillars also play a part in this exquisite garden, which was built to provide cooling benefits to the Bagh. These pillars were called after two monsoon months in the Indian calendar. The tops of the towers were perforated to catch wind, and the bottoms were connected to a water reservoir (Chandan Katora) that kept the palace cool.

Chattris (or Cenotaphs) is a series of exquisite royal tombs of the Maharajas, constructed on a platform and supported by pillars. Orchha has 15 chhatris, or memorials, for its rulers, which are located near the Kanchan Ghat on the Betwa River.

The Laxminarayan Temple was built in 1662. Goddess Laxmi is the major goddess worshipped there. The temple is enhanced with beautiful murals on the walls and ceilings.

In Orchha, you can enjoy and participate in a variety of activities which as follows:

1. Go Boating or Rafting on the Betwa River. 
2. Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary offers a jungle safari.
3. Walk through the magnificent Phool Bagh.
4. Visit the local market and enjoy the nearby cuisine.
5. Attend the Light and Sound Show at Orchha Fort, which is held every evening to enthuse those interested in learning about Orchha's rich history.
6. Explore Sheesh Mahal by booking a Royal Stay. 
7. Bird watching at the Orchha Bird Sanctuary, which is a paradise for a variety of in-house and migrating species.