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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
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 |
