Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time; a rich
legacy to the ages. For, on this medieval city, the hand of time has rested
lightly and the palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and
17th centuries retain much of their pristine perfection.
Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput
chieftain Rudra Pratap who choose this stretch of land along the Betwa river as
an ideal site for his capital. Of the succeeding rulers, the most notable was
Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo who built the exquisite Jehangir Mahaal a tiered palace
crowned by graceful. From here the view of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs
is spectacular.
Complementing the noble proportions of their exteriors are
interiors which represent the finest flowering of the Bundela school of
painting. In the Laxminarayan Temple, vibrant murals encompassing a variety of
religious and secular themes, bring the walls and ceilings to rich life.
Strewn around the area are little shrines and memorials, each with
its own poignant history, each contributing to the nostalgic beauty that is
Orchha.
HOW TO GET THERE :
- Road : Orcha lies on the Jhansi - Khajuraho road.
- Air : Nearest airport is Gwalior (119
km), connected with Delhi, Bhopal, Indore, and Bombay, Khajuraho (170 Km) is connected with Delhi, Agra and Varanasi.
- Rail : Nearest railhead at Jhansi (16 Km), on the Bombay - Delhi and
Delhi - Madras main lines. All major mail and
express trains stop at Jhansi.
