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Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the
Bundela chief Rudra Pratap, who became the first Raja of Orchha. In the
early 17th century, Raja Jujhar Singh rebelled against the Mughal emperor
Shah Jahan, whose armies devastated the state and occupied Orchha from 1635
to 1641. Orchha was the only Bundela state not subjugated by the Marathas in
the 18th century. The town of Tehri, presently Tikamgarh, about 40 miles
south of Orchha, became the capital of Orchha state in 1783, and is
presently the district town. Tehri was the site of the fort of Tikamgarh,
and the town eventually took the name of the fort.
Hamir Singh, who ruled from 1848 to 1874, was elevated to the style of
Maharaja in 1865. Maharaja Pratap Singh (born 1854, died 1930), who
succeeded to the throne in 1874, devoted himself entirely to the development
of his state, himself designing most of the engineering and irrigation works
that were executed during his reign.
In 1901, the state had an area of 2080 sq. mi, and population of 321,634. It
was the oldest and highest in rank of all the Bundela states, with a 15-gun
salute, and its Maharajas bore the hereditary title of First of the Princes
of Bundelkhand. Vir Singh, Pratap Singh's successor, merged his state with
the Union of India on January 1, 1950. The district became part of Vindhya
Pradesh state, which was merged into Madhya Pradesh state in 1956.
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HOW
TO REACH
By Air: The nearest airport is Gwalior (119 km), which is
connected to Delhi, Bhopal, Indore and Bombay. Khajuraho, which is
170 km from Orchha, is connected to Delhi, Agra and Varanasi.
By Rail: The nearest railway station to Orchha is Jhansi
which is 16 km from Orchha. It is on the Bombay-Delhi and
Delhi-Madras main lines. All major mail and express trains stop at
Jhansi.
By Road: Orchha is on the Jhansi-Khajuraho road. There are
regular buses and tempos from the Jhansi bus stand for the 18 km
journey to Orchha.
WHEN TO GO
The best time to visit Orchha is during the rains from July to
September, or in winter from November to early March.
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WHAT TO SEE |
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Jehangir Mahal - It was 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.
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Raj Mahal - It is situated to the right of the
quadrangle, this palace was built in the 17th century by Madhukar Shah,
the deeply religious predecessor of Bir Singh Ju Deo. The plain
exteriors, crowned by chhatris, give way to interiors with exquisite
murals, boldly colourful on a variety of religious themes.
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Chaturbhuj Temple -It was 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.
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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.
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Rai Parveen Mahal - Rai Parveen was the
beautiful paramour of Raja Indramani (1672- 76) and was sent to Delhi on
the orders of the Emperor Akbar, who was captivated by her. She so
impressed the Great Mughal with the purity of her love for Indramani
that he sent her 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. Skillfully
carved niches allow light into the Mahal which has a main hall and
smaller chambers. |
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WHERE TO EAT
There are so many good restaurants with different delicacies, and all the
major hotels has their own specialty restaurant and bar.
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