If you’re planning to explore Madhya Pradesh’s heritage sites then you should head straight to the places to visit in Orchha. Reflecting the stories of the glorious Bundela period, Orchha stands firm as the invincible destination of heritage that preserved the culture and tales of the Bundela dynasty’s former rulers.
The complex of Orchha Fort comprises many formidable buildings including forts, palaces, temples, cenotaphs, and historical monuments. The magnificent fort speaks volumes of the valiant Rajput’s of Bundela and their precious legends. Located on the banks of the Betwa River, the fort offers spectacular painting artwork and stone carving within its walls, catering to the demand of historians and nature lovers.
The complex of the fort houses the prominent Raja Mahal which defines intricate architecture. A part of it that has been transformed into Ram Raja Temple is the only place in the country where Lord Rama is adorned as King Rama.
Presenting a picturesque sight of Kanchana Ghat on the banks of River Betwa are the Chhatris (cenotaphs) that line the fort complex’s surroundings, best seen during sunset time. Each of the 14 cenotaphs represents a tomb of the rulers and leaders of the Bundela family.
Of the many cenotaphs displaying Islamic characteristics, Bir Singh Deo’s Chhatri is the most remarkable because it represents the Bundelas ‘ archeological glory. The Chhatris are standing tall and dreaming about the former rulers ‘ glorious past.
The Ram Raja Temple, also known as the Orchha Temple, has religious significance as it is India’s only temple where Lord Rama is decorated as King Rama. The temple was built in the 16th century, and is a famous monument among Hindu followers in the Orchha Fort complex.
The structure is believed to have been a citadel in Madhukar Shah’s kingdom, who changed it to Rama Temple when Lord Rama appeared in his dream and asked him to install his statue in the place. Ram Navami’s auspicious occasion is making thousands of devotees visit this temple to give Lord Rama their prayers. Ironically, here he is not only worshipped as a king, but also gun salutes are given as a display of devotion and respect.
The Betwa River, flowing through Orchha’s heritage area, adds a scenic feather to Orchha’s places of visit. The river has much to offer tourists visiting Orchha’s heritage town and its surrounding areas. Besides the breathtaking views overlooking the river from the sunset, it offers water sports activities such as sailing, river rafting, and kayaking. Visit this place after an exhaustive trip down the heritage lane in the town of Orchha to experience tranquility as the cool breeze carries with it the vibes of victory and liberty.
The Kanchana Ghat, located in the Orchha Fort complex, is the most famous Ghat in Orchha. The Ghat houses the chhatris (cenotaphs) of the Bundela dynasty’s former rulers. The 14 chhatris dot the Kanchana Ghat surrounding the heritage fort as they represent the dynasty’s glorious stories.
The Chaturbhuj Temple in Orchha, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is an ancient architectural masterpiece built by King Madhukar during 1558-1573. The temple stands tall, with basic architecture on a rectangular platform elevated. It is divided into three main parts, and the temple’s central position is four story high.
A large part of the temple is left unfurnished, which is a striking fact that makes it one of the most interesting tourist places in Orchha. The temple is believed to have originally been dedicated to Lord Ram. The Lord Rama idol in Rani Niwas, however, refused to move to the temple, where Lord Vishnu’s idol formed itself with four arms and gave the temple its name.
Visit the Temple of Chaturbhuj to witness spirituality in the ancient Orchha countryside. The palace is ornamented with religious symbols and lotus emblems.
Built in the 17th century, Dauji ki Kothi is a structure of beautiful ruins that, given the wrath of nature over the years, stands high as the epitome of history. The entrance’s wide arch and dilapidated roof are the most appealing aspects of this building which will awe-strike historians.
Dauji ki Kothi greatly enthralls the tourists due to its sprawling area and ruined layout of the several tourist places of Orchha. The ruins, which serve photographers as picture-perfect frames, are highly recommended for photography enthusiasts visiting Orchha and surrounding regions.
The palace is a sign of brotherly love. Hardaul Singh, King Jhujhar Singh’s brother, was poisoned at the king’s behest by Jhujhar Singh’s wife after he suspected the two had a romantic affair. The king later realized his error and built a cemetery to pay a tribute to his innocent brother, who had died. The palace stands as a perpetual commemoration of the beloved man, now crowned as Christ.
The palace’s impressive edifice reflects the art of the then skilled artisans. Witness the light and sound display that takes you back to the memory lane at the Orchha Fort to discover the entire story.
Phool Bagh, as the name suggests, is a popular property sprawling its lush greenery in Orchha’s historic land. It stands apart from the other tourist sites of Orchha, which are mostly centered on heritage, offering tourists a refreshing experience amidst the tall, historic structures.
Built as a memorial to remember Dinman Hardaul’s martyrdom, who sacrificed his life to prove his innocence over an alleged love affair with his brother’s wife, this beautiful garden now enchants tourists with its greenery and the massive fountain that stands tall in the middle. Visit Phool Bag on your journey, and tie a thread here on the sacred carved frame, a practice believed to satisfy the believers ‘ wishes.
Lakshmi Narayan Temple is one of Orchha’s giant structures and the three most significant temples. Lakshmi Narayan Temple, built by Bir Singh Deo in 1622, is dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi and is a mixture of temple and fort architecture.
The murals in the Lakshmi Narayan Temple interiors will entertain tourists as they teach various spiritual and secular teachings, and depict Lord Rama’s life incidents. Inside the temple, paintings appear as new as the art of yesterday.
The Anand Mahal Gardens are one of Orchha’s rejuvenating places to visit after an exhausting trip to the historic city. The colorful flora and trees will delight you as you walk through the ghost town on a cultural and heritage promenade. Anand Mahal Gardens surrounds the famous Rai Parveen Mahal, offering tourists visiting Orchha a relaxing experience. Located overlooking the Betwa River, fall in love with this green paradise as it offers a breathtaking view of the town lined with historic monuments.
On the heritage front the Ramayana Kala Sangrahalaya Museum, built in 2005, is one of the promising places to visit in Orchha. The museum is the first-of-its-kind that harbors traditional arts to project different events and Ramayana and Ram Leela aspects.
The prestigious Ramayana Kala Sangrahalaya Museum is adorned by cultural artifacts such as jewelry, costumes and paintings. The preserved paintings here are a visual journey of the many epic Ramayana incidents.
The nearest railways stations to Orchha are Jhansi and Barwa Sagar. The distance from Orchha to Jhansi is 18 kilometers and from Orchha to Barwa Sagar is 8 kilometers. You can easily get auto from Jhansi or Barwa Sagar station. A taxi will cost Rs.50 and take around 30-45 minutes.
The nearest airport to Orchha is Khajuraho airport. One can easily get taxi or buses for Jhansi. It takes 5-6 hours to reach Jhansi. From Jhansi one can take taxi which will reach Orchha in 30-45 minutes.
Different trains run daily from New Delhi to Jhansi (via Agra and Gwalior). They either depart from New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin station. The Shatabdi is the fastest train: it leaves station in New Delhi at 6 a.m. And they enter Jhansi at 10:45 a.m. Other trains from Delhi to Jhansi take about 6.5 hours.
There is no bus station in Orchha. The nearest bus station is in Jhansi, which is 14 km away. One can take auto or taxi from there till Orchha. It takes half and hour to forty-five minutes to reach.