Orchha
Orchha, also called Urchha, is situated in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh. The town was the seat of an eponymous former princely state of Central India, in the Bundelkhand region. Orchha is close to Jhansi, lying on the river Betwa. Grand palaces and temples make it one of the most favourite tourist site of the state.
Orchha’s fort complex, approached by a multi-arched bridge, has three palaces set in an open quadrangle. The most fantastic of these are: Jehangir Mahal, Raj Mahal and Rai Parveen Mahal. Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo built Jenangir Mahal in the 17th century to
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commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Orchha. Its strong lines are counterbalanced by delicate chhatris ( canopies) and trellis work, the whole conveying an effect of extraordinary richness.
Situated to the right of the quadrangle, this Raj Mahal 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.
There is an interesting story about Rai Parveen Mahal. History says that poetess and musician, 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.
Chaturbuj Temple, Laxminarayan Temple, Phool Bagh, Sunder Mahal, Shahid Smarak are other major places worth visiting in the town.
There are some good package tours to the city from Delhi – Medieval Splendour , Charming Chanderi , Khajuraho Dance Festival to name a few. The nearest airport from Orchha is Gwalior. The closest railhead is at Jhansi, on the Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi-Chennai mainlines. Regular bus services connect the town with Khajuraho and Jhansi. During the tour one can sojourn at Hotel Sheesh Mahal and Betwa Retreat.
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