Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput chieftain Rudra
Pratap who chose this stretch 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 are 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 that is Orchha.
Orcha'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 palaces and temple built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries
retain much of their pristine perfection.
