Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stone,
frozen in time, a rich legacy to the ages. The
word Orchha means hidden. In this medieval city,
the hands of time have rested lightly and the
palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers
in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of
their pristine perfection.
In the heart of Bundelkhand lies this fortified
group of dwellings, temples and shrines bearing
testimony to the medieval legacy in stone . The
central feature of the village is Jehangir Mahal
, a 17th
century classic, that combines the ruler Bir
Singh Deo’s eye for detail with sweeping
views from its turrets. On two other side lies
the Raj Mahal, built by the ascetic Madhukar Shah
and Praveen Rai Mahal built for the beautiful
companion of Raja Inder Mani. But for sheer contrast,
there is little to equal the 14 elegant chhatris
that line the banks of the river in the distance.
Best seen from the bridge connecting the massive
midstream island, the image of the chhatris lingers
long after the visit. And not far off, the imposing
Lakshmi Narayan, Chaturbhuj and Ram Raj temples
strengthen the Bundeli spirit in a profusion of
ornamental paintings.
Having seen the monuments, you must head for
the river. A cataract near the bridge with gentle,
rounded rocks is the ideal place to stop a while
and savour the soothing flow of the Betwa. The
reverie must end well before the sun goes down.
For there is also the lure of the forest waiting
to be explored. The road from the bridge goes
right through the dense growth. Feel the pulse
of the wilderness just there, only a few minutes’
drive from Orchha, as the road winds on to the
second bridge on the other side of the island.
Back in the village, join the procession headed
for the temples. While at dusk, or if the moon
is full, a walk near the water’s edge will
revive the memory of the Bundela chiefs treading
beside the silhouette of their imposing constructions.
It
was Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo who built the exquisite
Jehangir Mahal in honour of emperor Jehangir,
when Jehangir visited Orchha. A tiered palace
crowned by graceful chhatris, from here the view
of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs is spectacular.
Built
by the deeply religious Madhukar Shah, it is
situated to the right of the quadrangle. In
Raj Mahal a trail through the maze of intricate
stairways leading to numerous turrets is an
experience in itself, evoking nostalgia of the
thrilling lifestyle of the royals. The interiors
have exquisite colourful murals, on a variety
of religious themes. From the turrets, one is
treated to a breathtaking view of Jahangir Mahal
on the east and the Chaturbhuj temple on the
west. 
This
palace turned temple with its soaring spires and
palatial architecture is one of the most unusual
in India. The legend goes that the statue of Ram,
brought from Ayodhya was temporarily installed
here while a temple for it was being built. Later
on, it was impossible to move the statue to the
new location. It is the only temple in the country
where Ram is worshipped as a Raja (king), probably
because the statue of the god is in a palace.
This
temple was specially constructed to enshrine the
image of Ram 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 and its
vaulted walls emphasise its deep sanctity. 
Hotels in Orchha
