“A historic town settled on the banks of river Betwa, famous for its striking palaces and carved temples, Orchha is a photographer’s paradise.”
Also known as Urchha, Orchha is a town in Tikamgarh District in Madhya Pradesh. It was the capital of the powerful Bundela Rajput kings; therefore history is an intricate part of the town. There are various monuments around the city for tourists’ attraction, thus giving an ancient vibe and an insight into its glorious past. The historic town with its monuments seems frozen in time as they still possess the magnificence even to this day.
Orchha is 18 km away from Jhansi, which in itself has an inspiring past. The town has an abundance of historical palaces and temples built in the 16th and 17th centuries. The brilliance in the architecture of the monuments and the temples gives us a reflection of the splendor of the rulers. The Betwa River that passes through the town has forest around it making it an attraction for the tourists. Orchha is one of the major tourist destinations in Madhya Pradesh because it houses a rich culture and a glorious past.
Places to visit in Orchha
Orchha has various tourists’ spots, as the town has developed from a rich past. Its main attractions are the forts and palaces; Orchha is also renowned for its classic mural paintings and frescos. The famous Chaturbhuj Temple was built by Ganeshi Bai, the Queen of Orchha. As the town is situated on the banks of a river it gives numerous picturesque sites to the tourists, making it a paradise and the ancient monuments in the town makes it serene and great holiday destination. Orchha does not disappoint the young generation as the Betwa River offers rafting making it a fun place to be. Here are some of the chief attractions in Orchha.
Orchha Fort - It is located on an island of the Betwa River, apart from the picturesque location the fort has various temples and palaces in stored. Jahangir Mahal, Raj Mahal, and the famous Rai Parveen Mahal are the three most important palaces in the fort.
Chaturbhuj Temple - Dedicated to Lord Rama, this temple is built upon a massive stone structure, reached by a flight of staircases. An architectural excellence, the temple is largest in the area.
Chattris - Located on the banks of the River Betwa, 15 chattris (cenotaphs) are located belonging to Bundela kings & members of their clan, a symbol of glory for the rulers of the Bundela dynasty.
Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary - A home to a wide range of animals, ever since it was established in 1994, the sanctuary has been a major tourist destination in Orchha.
Phool Bagh - A magnificent architecture, as it possesses a creative system of water ventilation that is connected underground that makes a fountain appear as if it is raining. This masterpiece is also a highly recommended place to tic of your travel bucket list.
Best time to visit Orchha
Orchha is an evergreen tourist destination as the historical monuments can be visited any time of the year. Therefore, to enjoy the nature and river rafting at the same time, the best weather to plan your trip to Orchha is either spring or winter season, that is between October and March.
How to Reach Orchha
Orchha is located in Madhya Pradesh and the nearest well-known destination around the town is Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh. Therefore, it can be reached by all means.
By Air - To reach Orchha by air, nearest airports are in Gwalior (150Kms) and Khajuraho (195Kms). Both the airports are well connected to New Delhi and a few major cities of the country.
By Road - Orchha town can be accessed by road from Agra, Gwalior, Khajuraho, Bhopal and various other cities as it lies on State-Highway No.37 that connects Jhansi city to Tikamgarh town. Jhansi is the larger town near Orchha. Therefore, various buses and auto services are available from Jhansi at regular intervals.
By Rail - The nearest railway station to reach Orchha is Jhansi, at a distance of 20 km. The railway track in Jhansi is well connected to various cities of the country.