A Day Trip of Orchha from Khajuraho
Description
Orchha's Fort complex, approached by a multi-arched bridge has three palaces set in an open quadrangle. The most spectacular of these are below :
Jehangir Mahal : Built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo in the 17th Century to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Orchha. Its strong lines are counterbalanced by delicate chhatris and treillies work, the whole conveying an effect of extraordinary richness.
Raja Mahal : Situated to the right of the quadrangle, this palace was built by Madhukar Shah, the deeply religious predecessor of Bir Singh Ju Deo. The plain exteriors, crowned by chhatris, give way to interiors with exquiste murals, boldly colorful, On a variety of religious themes. Of special interest at Raj Mahal is a newly inaugurated Sound and Light Show in the premises facing the entrance gate. The one hour show in Hindi and English brings alive the four hundred year history of Orchha in a stunning spectacle.
Rai Praveen Mahal : Poetess and musician, Rai Praveen was the beautiful paramour of Raja Indramani (1672-76), and was sent to Delhi on the order of 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. 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, beautiful landscaped gardens of Anand Mahal, with its octagonal flower bed and elaborate water supply system. Skillfully carved niches allow light into the Mahal which has main hall and smaller chambers.
Ram Raja Temple : This palace-turned-temple has a charming legend attached to it. Following the dream-visitation of Lord Rama, Madukar Shah's wife, Ganesh Kuanwari brought a statue of the god from Ayodhya to Orchha. While the king was a worshipper of Lord Krishna, the queen was a devotee of Lord Rama. The image was placed in a palace prior to its installationin a temple. When the idol proved impossible to move, the queen recalled, too late, the deity's edict that the image would remain in in the place where it was first installed. Today, with its soaring spires and palatial architecture, the temple is surely one of the most unusual in India. It is also the only one in the country where Rama is worshipped as a king.
Chaturbhuj Temple : Built upon a massive stone platform and reached by a steep flight of steps, the 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, vaulted walls emphasizing its deep sanctity.
Laxmi Narayana Temple : A flagstone path links this temple with the Ram Raja Temple. The style is an interesting synthesis of fort and temple moulds. The interiors contains the most exquisite of Orchha's wall paintings. Covering the walls and ceiling of three halls, these murals are vibrant compositions and cover variety of spiritual and secular subjects. They are in an excellent state of preservation, with the colors retaining their vivid quality.
Phool Bagh : Laid out as a formal garden, the complex testifies to the refined aesthetic qualities of the Bundelas. A central row of fountains culminates in an eight-pillared palace-pavilion. A subterranean structure below was the cool summer retreat of the Orchha Kings. An ingenious system of water ventilation connected the underground palace with Chandan Katora, a bowl-like structure from whose fountains droplets of water filtered through to the roof, simulating rainfall.
Jehangir Mahal : Built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo in the 17th Century to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Orchha. Its strong lines are counterbalanced by delicate chhatris and treillies work, the whole conveying an effect of extraordinary richness.
Raja Mahal : Situated to the right of the quadrangle, this palace was built by Madhukar Shah, the deeply religious predecessor of Bir Singh Ju Deo. The plain exteriors, crowned by chhatris, give way to interiors with exquiste murals, boldly colorful, On a variety of religious themes. Of special interest at Raj Mahal is a newly inaugurated Sound and Light Show in the premises facing the entrance gate. The one hour show in Hindi and English brings alive the four hundred year history of Orchha in a stunning spectacle.
Rai Praveen Mahal : Poetess and musician, Rai Praveen was the beautiful paramour of Raja Indramani (1672-76), and was sent to Delhi on the order of 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. 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, beautiful landscaped gardens of Anand Mahal, with its octagonal flower bed and elaborate water supply system. Skillfully carved niches allow light into the Mahal which has main hall and smaller chambers.
Ram Raja Temple : This palace-turned-temple has a charming legend attached to it. Following the dream-visitation of Lord Rama, Madukar Shah's wife, Ganesh Kuanwari brought a statue of the god from Ayodhya to Orchha. While the king was a worshipper of Lord Krishna, the queen was a devotee of Lord Rama. The image was placed in a palace prior to its installationin a temple. When the idol proved impossible to move, the queen recalled, too late, the deity's edict that the image would remain in in the place where it was first installed. Today, with its soaring spires and palatial architecture, the temple is surely one of the most unusual in India. It is also the only one in the country where Rama is worshipped as a king.
Chaturbhuj Temple : Built upon a massive stone platform and reached by a steep flight of steps, the 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, vaulted walls emphasizing its deep sanctity.
Laxmi Narayana Temple : A flagstone path links this temple with the Ram Raja Temple. The style is an interesting synthesis of fort and temple moulds. The interiors contains the most exquisite of Orchha's wall paintings. Covering the walls and ceiling of three halls, these murals are vibrant compositions and cover variety of spiritual and secular subjects. They are in an excellent state of preservation, with the colors retaining their vivid quality.
Phool Bagh : Laid out as a formal garden, the complex testifies to the refined aesthetic qualities of the Bundelas. A central row of fountains culminates in an eight-pillared palace-pavilion. A subterranean structure below was the cool summer retreat of the Orchha Kings. An ingenious system of water ventilation connected the underground palace with Chandan Katora, a bowl-like structure from whose fountains droplets of water filtered through to the roof, simulating rainfall.
Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Private transportation
- Toll Tax & fuel, Parking Charge
Excluded
- Any type of Food & Drink is not included.
- Any Type of entrance charge is not included.
Know before you go
- Camera