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Offbeat Places
Orccha, Madhya Pradesh

Do you want to explore an offbeat location and that too within budget? Are you tired of searching for exotic locations and want to visit a serene location where you can connect with nature and unleash your soul by taking a little break from normal hectic and monotonous life? Then what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, call your travel agent and ask him/her to book your tour package to Orccha.

About Orccha - An Overview

Orccha is a town situated near the city of Newari in the Newari district of Madhya Pradesh. This town was established under the guidance and supervision of the then-Rajput Ruler Rudra Pratap Singh around the year 1501. Orccha is situated at a distance of 80 km from Tikamgarh and 15 km from Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh and was established on the banks of the Betwa River.

Since it is an offbeat place, most people are not aware of this location yet. However, this small town has everything that a popular tourist destination is supposed to have. Tourists who are interested in learning about the rich culture and heritage of our Kings and the history related to them can explore this city because it has a lot to offer when it comes to housing large ancient monuments comprising forts, palaces, temples, and other edifices. The most popular Orccha Fort Complex and other associated structures were constructed during the rule of the Bundela Rajputs starting from the early 16th century.

Places to visit in Orccha:
The Orccha Fort Complex

The Orccha Fort Complex is known to be surrounded by many large palaces such as the Raja Mahal or Raja Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, a temple, gardens as well as pavilions. There are many notable architectural features in the fort complex such as projecting balconies, open flat areas, and decorated latticed windows.

Chhatris

Royal Chhatris or Cenotaphs are the historical monuments located on the banks of River Betwa in Orccha. These are considered to be one of the most popular tourist attractions and also must-visit places. There is a total of fifteen chattris grouped along the Kanchan Ghat of the River Betwa on the south end of Orchha town. These were initially constructed as a mark of respect for the imperial blue blood of the mighty rulers of the Bundelkhand dynasty. These monuments still tend to speak of the ancient rulers and their victories. The complex comprises the Chhatris of Madhukar Shah, Bir Singh Deo, Jaswant Singh, Udait Singh, Pahar Singh, and others. These cenotaphs were built in Indo-Mughal style and the three-storey buildings are open to all sides and have nicely designed domes or pinnacles. Out of the chattris present, the one belonging to Bir Singh Deo is considered to be the most popular.

Raja Mahal

The Raja Mahal (King’s Palace) is the place where the kings along with their queens used to reside till the time this palace was abandoned in the year 1783. It was constructed in the early part of the 16th century. Though its exterior has been constructed with minimal ornamentation and architecture, the interior chambers of the palace are elaborately royal when it comes to architectural design. The interior is mainly decorated using murals of social and religious themes of Gods, mythical animals, and people.

A part of this palace was converted into a temple named Rama Raja Temple which was dedicated to Hindu God Lord Rama.

Rani Mahal

Decorated with jewelry of elegance and magnificence, the Rani Mahal of Orchha is an enchanting fortification right from the pages of the history bygone. The fort is embellished with intricate carvings as well as colorful paintings which sets the statement about the art and artists of Orchha. This place has now been converted into a museum and is accessible to visitors. It covers a vast area and remains surrounded by splendid gardens, the architecture, and presence of the Rani Mahal are quite humbling. The exterior is beautifully decorated with detailed stonework and the interior holds mesmerizing illustrations and murals of holy epics like the Ramayana.

Ram Raja Mandir

This is the only temple in the country where Lord Ram is worshipped both as a God and a King. It is a sacred pilgrimage that tends to receive devotees in large numbers regularly and is popularly called Orchha Temple. During special festivals such as Makar Sankranti, Vasant Panchami, Shivratri, Ram Navami, Kartik Purnima, and Vivaha Panchami, the daily number of visitors range from 1500 to 3000. A Guard of Honor is held every day, and police personnel has been designated as Guards at the temple, much in the manner of a king. Armed salutation is provided to Lord Ram every day. Royal Chattris:

Situated at a distance of approximately 1.5 km from Orchha Fort, Royal Chattris or Cenotaphs are historical monuments that occupy the bank of the River Betwa in Orchha. These are considered to be one of the popular tourist spots in Betwa that visitors cannot afford to miss. There are a total of 15 chattris that remain in groups along the Kanchan Ghat of the River Betwa on the southernmost end of the town. These were constructed in order to show respect for the imperial blue blood of the mighty rulers of the Bundelkhand dynasty. These monuments are live examples of the glory of the ancient rulers, their victories and the stories associated to them. Chattris with its magical charm continues to allure people through centuries.

Jahangir Mahal

This palace was constructed by Bir Singh Deo in the year 1605 in honor of the Mughal emperor Jahangir who was a guest of the Maharaja only for one night. There are four levels in this palace and was built by adding architectural features of both Muslim and Rajput architecture.

This palace is considered to be the symbol of friendship between the Bir Singh Deo and Jahangir. The entrance of this palace is noticeable due to the ethnic touch of traditional and art. The front wall of the palace remains decorated with turquoise tiles and faces to the east. This magnificent palace is a tourist attraction that has successfully garnered the attention of the visitors for its grace. It was built in an Indo Islamic architectural style and comprise several courtyards, balconies, rooms and domes. The visiting hours are from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm.

Orccha Wildlife Sanctuary

This wildlife sanctuary is situated at a distance of only 2 km from Orchha Fort, at the banks of River Betwa. This place is considered to be one of the most amazing locations in Orchha. Established in the year 1994, Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across an area of approximately 46 sq km. Betwa River is the primary source of water for the wildlife inhabiting this sanctuary. Unlike other wildlife sanctuaries, this sanctuary is comparatively smaller but houses different species of flora and fauna.

Some of the animals found here are Deer, Blue Bull, Monkeys, Wild pigs, Jackal, Nilgai, Sloth Bears, and many more. For tourists who are interested in bird watching, this place is an ideal spot because Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary is known to house more than 200 avian species. There are also migratory birds present who pay regular visits to this region every year that include Kingfisher, woodpecker, owls, jungle bush quail, and black swan as well as geese.

River Betwa flowing through the heart of this area adds to its charm and also makes it more appealing. This sanctuary is also known to provide many other adventurous activities that may include fishing, river rafting, boating, trekking, camping, jungle trekking, and hiking as well.

The ideal time to visit this area is from November to June. During the winter season, the sanctuary remains at its best. However, it is highly advisable not to visit this sanctuary during monsoon season due to heavy rainfall which makes animals usually go for hideouts. Besides, the Betwa River also may end up flooding during this time.

Chaturbhuj temple

Chaturbhuj temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated near Rama Raja Mandir. This temple is one of the most popular places of Orchha has religious importance and is under the Archaeology Survey of India. The meaning of the word “Chaturbhuj” is “one who has four arms”, referring to the Hindu God Lord Rama (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu). It is believed to be constructed during the reign of the King of Orchha, Raja Madhukar Shah, between 1558 and 1573.

This temple is a perfect blend of a temple, fort, and palace styles of architecture. The presence of a multi-storied palace with arcaded openings, a very large entrance, a large central tower, and fortifications have added to the beauty of Chaturbhuj temple. Tourists can visit this temple from 9 am to 5 pm.

Lakshmi Narayan Temple

This famous temple is situated just at a distance of 2 km from Orchha Fort Complex. Dedicated to Hindu Goddess Lakshmi, Lakshmi Narayan Temple was built during the rule of Bir Singh Deo in the year 1622. Hence, it is a significant tourist destination of Orchha. Just like Chaturbhuj Temple, Lakshmi Narayan temple is also a perfect and unique mix of temple and fort architecture. This temple remains accessible for tourists from 9 am to 5 pm every day.

Best time to visit Orchha

The best time to visit Orchha is from October to March because during this time, the weather remains pleasant for visitors to travel.