ORCHHA

Orchha is a town in Niwari district of Madhya Pradesh state, India. The town was established by Rudra Pratap Singh some time after 1501, as the seat of an eponymous former princely state of covering parts of central & north India, in the Bundelkhand region.

Elevation: 552 m District: Niwari Local time: Wednesday, 2:21 pm

Orchha lies on the Betwa River, 80 km from Tikamgarh & 15 km from Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh

How to ReachT

There are many ways to reach the Orchha , The touris can visit by ROAD and RAIL

Reach By Road

• Orchha is 16 Kms from Jhansi.

• 107 Kms from Lalitpur

• 119 Kms from Gwalior

• 172 Kms from Isagarh

• 179 Kms from Bhind

• 204 Kms from Ashoknagar,

• 205 Kms from Sagar

• 229 Kms from Damoh

• 336 Kms from Jabalpur and is linked through Madhya Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (MPRTC) and some private travel services.

• Tourist can visit Orchha as per their own convenience, by there own vehicle , by local transportation.

Reach By Train

The nearest Railway Station is Jhansi Railway Station, roughly 25 minutes drive from the town.  It is connected to the major cities of Madhya Pradesh. It is linked with the cities like New Delhi, Bangalore, Mysore, Lucknow,Kanyakumari, Puri, Ahmedabad, Agra and Jaipur via Rajdhani Express, Tamil Nadu Express, Nzm Garib Rath, Karnataka Express, Pushpak Express, Punjab Mail and Jhelum Express.

Why ORCHHA ?

Founded at the turn of the 16th century by Rudra Pratep Singh, Orchha quickly became of some importance because of the impressive and opulent fort that was built there during Singh’s reign, as well as his own showing of independence and military might. He was a chief of Bundela Rajput descent who reigned over the city from 1501 to 1531, during which time he accomplished an full lot.

What’s remarkable about Orchha is that, compared to other Indian towns and cities, it remains very much unchanged from its original formation. The town has a distinct medieval aura that woos you with its charm. Sure, modern daily life swirls around the town, but the building blocks of the town are clearly and delightfully historical. With a population of about 10,000 people, Orchha provides the perfect counterpoint to cities like Delhi which, quite literally, have populations thousands of times the size. I can speak from experience when noting this, as, among my group, Orchha was a clear crowd favourite, and I firmly believe that’s because it’s just so different from everything else we experienced in India.

What I can go through in ORCHHA ?

JAHANGIR MAHAL , ORCHHA

The establishment of the Jahangir Mahal dates back to the 17th century A.D. when the ruler of the region Vir Singh Deo built the structure as a symbol of warm reception of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, during the latter’s first visit to the city. The entrance of the Jahangir Mahal, Orchha is marked by an artistic and traditional gateway. The front wall of the structure faces to the east and is covered with turquoise tiles. Jahangir Mahal is a three-storied structure that is marked by stylishly hanging balconies, porches, and apartments.

Roam about the palace area

The palace area, situated on a small island across from Orchha, is home to two grand palaces: the Raj Mahal and the Jahangir Mahal. Both mahals are in great condition, and house plenty of intricate archways, lovingly painted murals, and little lookout spots great for photographic eyes. The island is filled with other smaller temples, havelis, and palaces in varying states of upkeep. Walking around the grounds of the palace area is free, as is entering most of the buildings. But if you want to enter the Raj Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, and several other sights, you have to buy a ticket. There is a combi ticket available for the two palaces, plus several other sites including… The camel stables and Rai Praveen Mahal (both in the palace area) Cenotaphs of the Rajput rulers Chaturbhuj Temple Lakshmi Narayan Temple. The combi ticket price is 10 Rs for Indians, 250 Rs for foreigners, plus 25 Rs per camera if you have one. The ticket is only valid on the day of purchase.

Chaturbhuj Temple (Orchha)

Another good reason to travel to Orchha is the magnificent temple dominating Orchha’s skyline. Chatarbhuj was built in the 16th century, and was supposed to house an idol of Lord Rama. The best part: you can climb the narrow stairs to the roof for an incredible view of Orchha and the surrounding countryside.

Weave through the Orchha Cenotaphs (Chhatris)

The tombs for the former rulers of Orchha can be found at the southern end of the town. The main cluster is situated in a calm Mughal style garden, offering serenity away from the town. Great place to hang out at sunset. The Orchha Cenopaths are part of the combi-ticket that can be purchased at the entrance of Raj Mahal.

Get lost in Ram Raja and the surrounding bazaar

The Ram Raja temple is situated next tot he Chatarbhuj Temple, and houses a revered idol of Rama. The temple and the surrounding bazaar are a hive of activity, with devotees jostling to get a glimpse of the idol, and milk-sweet vendors vying loudly for your rupees. Vivid colors pop in the bazaar, which nevertheless has a chilled out atmosphere by Indian standards. Close to the temple and further into the bazaar you can find Phool Bagh, a small garden with the tomb of a local hero.

Where to sleep and eat when traveling to Orchha

Orchha Homestay Orchha has a wonderful homestay program run by the Friends of Orchha organization. Located in the small village of Ganj, 1 km outside of Orchha, Orchha Homestay gives you the opportunity to stay with local villagers. They operate six homestays with a total of nine rooms. The homestays are mostly run by low-caste people who otherwise have difficulty making a living. A single is 750 Rs and a double is 950 Rs. Rooms can be booked online, by email, or by phone.

Food and drinks

Orchha offers the standard variety of temple town food stalls and restaurants serving Indian, Chinese, and Continental food. Many places serve beer off the menu. The restaurant at the Sheesh Mahal offers more fine dining options. If you’re staying at an Orchha Homestay it’s likely you will eat there.

So, here is the some important tips to visit and make the journey interesting. 
If there is any question comment in the comment box .