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Located at a distance of 16 km from Jhansi, Orchha rises out of the hills and the greens surrounding it. The historical monuments of Orchha still retain their pristine charm and narrate stories of war and peace, of love and destruction.
The word Orchha means 'hidden'. Situated on banks of the river Betwa, it used to be the capital of the region (Bundelkhand) but now is a small village. The palaces are of impressive size and there are pleasant views of the countryside from their upper levels. Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput chieftain Rudra Pratap who chose 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 Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatries. From here the view of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs is spectacular. Orchha is abandoned now but not forgotten. Complementing the noble proportions of their exteriors and interiors which represent the finest flowering of the Bundela school of painting.
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Temples of Orchha
Orchha also has a series of magnificent temples, dating back to the 17th century. They are still in use today and visited regularly by thousands of devotees. The soaring spires of Ram Raja Temple and the well-preserved murals of the Lakshmi Naraya Temple are especially worth a visit. 14 beautiful Chhattris (cenotaphs) or memorials are lined up on the Kanchana Glut of the river Betwa.
Ram Raja Temple
OrchaPhool Bagh : The walled Phool Bagh or Flower Gardens is a cool summer retreat. A sight you must not miss.
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| Reaching Orcha |
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By Air
Nearest airports are - Gwalior 25Kms or Khajuraho 1732 Kms.
By Rail
Regular bus service from -Jhansi (25Kms), Delhi, Gwalior, Agra, Bhopal and Varanasi.
By Road
Orchha lies on the Jhansi - Khajuraho road. Regular bus services connect Orchha with Jhansi. Autorickshaws are available on hire from Jhansi for a tour of all the tourist spots in Orchha.
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| Orchha lies on the road from Gwalior to the famous temple city of Khajuraho. Every village and small town is crowded with tiny shops, markets and repair shops.The square in Orchha provides a place for residents to visit the temple as well as transact business in the open air market.
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