We were planning a holiday and looking for a new
destination. We were anyway planning on
visiting St. Jude’s Shrine in Jhansi. While looking for hotels, I came across
some lovely resorts in Orchha.
Researching on this new place opened up quite a few interesting facts
and snippets of history.
I got to know that Orchha is a town in Tikamgarh district of
Madhya Pradesh state, India. The town was established by Maharaja Rudra Pratap
Singh in 1501, , who became the first King of Orchha. Orchha was the seat of an
eponymous former princely state of central India, in the Bundelkhand region.
Orchha lies on the Betwa River, 80 km from Tikamgarh &
15 km from Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh. The medieval city of Orchha seems to have
frozen in time, its palaces and temples still retaining their original
grandeur.
HERITAGE - A visit to
this ancient capital of Bundelkhand, with its 16th and 17th century palaces and
temples situated on the banks of the Betwa river, will give you a glimpse of a
bygone era – the ‘India of the Maharajas’ http://orchha.org/
The Jahangir Mahal is considered to be a singularly
beautiful specimen of Mughal architecture. The Uth Khana(Camel Shelter) where
the King's camels were stationed is right next to the fort and is a must see.
Tourists can also climb on the roof of the Uth Khana and get a fastastic view
of Orchha town. The ruins behind the fort complex is an even greater watch. It
makes a tourist travel back in time and is an integral part of a visit to
Orchha. It houses the residences various military officers, ministers (housing,
roads etc.), gunpowder factory etc.. Numerous cenotaphs or chhatris dot the
vicinity of the fort and the Betwa river. (Wikipedia)
Explore :
In the Laxminarayan Temple and Raj Mahal, vibrant murals
encompassing a variety of religious and secular themes, bring the walls and
ceilings to rich life. Strewn around the area are the little shrines and
memorials, each with its own poignant history, each contributing to the
nostalgic beauty that is Orchha.
Stay –
I stayed at Amar Mahal and was very pleased with my experience there. For more details, please visit my post on Trip Advisor. (MarieNaviMumbai)
http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g319728-d646763-r223123617-Amar_Mahal_Hotel-Orchha_Madhya_Pradesh.html#REVIEWS
Amar Mahal is located on a small hill, a stone’s throw away
from the impressive cenotaphs along the Betwa river. This location offers panoramic views of the
monuments and surrounding landscape. The
resort is built and decorated in the traditional Bundelkhand architectural
style and is spread along lush lawns and well kept gardens offering a
picturesque and relaxing environment for a vacation.
Getting There -
Nearest airport is at Gwalior (119 km), which is connected
with regular flights from Delhi & Bhopal.
Orchha lies on a diversion from the Jhansi-Khajuraho road.
Regular bus services connect Orchha with Jhansi. Tempos and taxis are also
available.
Nearest railhead is
Jhansi (16 km), on the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai main lines. All major
mail and express trains stop at Jhansi.
DO VISIT -
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 chhatris and trellis work, the whole conveying an effect of
extraordinary richness.
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
Rama that remained in the Ram Raja Temple. 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.
LAXMINARAYAN 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
contain the most exquisite of Orchha's wall paintings. 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 excellent state of
preservation, with the colours retaining their vivid quality.
RAM RAJA TEMPLE:
The Ram Raja Temple is perhaps the most important though
unusual of all the temples in Orchha. This is the only temple in the country
where Rama is worshipped as a king that too in a palace. According to legends,
once Lord Rama appeared in a dream to king Madhukar Shah and directed him to
build a temple for him. The king followed the instructions given by Rama and
brought his idol from Ayodhya, the birthplace of the lord. However, the construction
of the temple was not complete when the idol arrived from Ayodhya. So it was
kept in the palace for the time being. Later, the king remembered that in the
dream Lord Rama had specifically mentioned that his idol could not be removed
from the place where it has been originally kept. This led the king to abandon
the construction of the temple and instead the palace where the idol was kept
was converted into a temple.
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