Orchha's
grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time, a rich legacy to the ages.
In this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly and the palaces 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 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
chhatris. 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 and
Raj Mahal, vibrant murals encompassing a variety of religious and secular themes,
bring the walls and ceilings to rich life.
How to Reach Orchha:
By Rail: Nearest railhead at Jhansi (16 km ), on the Mumbai-Delhi and
Delhi-Madras main lines. All major mail and express trains stop at jhansi.
By Road: Orchha lies on the Jhansi-Khajuraho road. Regular bus services
connect Orchha with Jhansi.