Tourism in Orcha
The historic town of Orchha, nestled on the banks of river Betwa, was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput Chief, Rudra Pratap. Here, the river Betwa splits into seven channels, also called the Satdhara. Legend goes that this is in honour of the seven erstwhile Chiefs of Orchha.The ancient town seems frozen in time, with its many monuments continuing to retain their original grandeur even to this day. Here you will find some of the most fascinating temples and palaces that will help you realise a childhood fantasy – travelling back in time!
History of Orcha
Orchha was founded in 1531 (the 16th century AD) by the Bundela Rajput chief, Rudra Pratap Singh, who became the first King of Orchha, (r. 1501-1531) and also built the Fort of Orchha. The Chaturbhuj Temple was built during the reign of Emperor Akbar, by the Queen of Orchha Ganesh Kunwar (गणेश कुँवर), while Raj Mandir was built by 'Raja Madhukar Shah' during his reign, 1554 to 1591.
Best Time to Visit in Orcha
The best season to visit Orchha is the winter season. The temperature remains comfortable and is apt for visiting the places of interest in Orchha. The best months to visit are October, November, December, January, February and March. Winters approach Orchha in December and lasts till February.
How to Reach in Orcha
Orchha is a beautiful town which is located in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh. This famous town was founded in the 16th century by renowned Bundela Rajput chieftain, Rudra Pratap.The town is bordered by the holy Betwa River and it reflects the sumptuousness and grandness of the powerful Bundelas. This famous town is a sparkling city with salubrious weather and glorious past. Orchha is famous for its world class Mural Paintings that offer outstanding holidays to the visitors. The popular and the must see tourist attractions in Orchha include Chaturbhuja Temple, Jehangir Mahal, Raj Praveen Mahal, Ram Raja Temple, Raj Mahal, Phool Bagh, Chaturbhuj Temple, Laxminarayan Temple, Shahid Smarak, Sunder Mahal, Dimnan Hardaul's Palace, Chatris (Cenotaphs) and many others.
Shopping in Orcha
The shopping items at Orchha do not exhibit much of the local flavor of Orchha. However, these items are quite popular among the tourists, who buy them as a token from the place. Two of the major Orchha shopping items are the pyjamas and kurtis adorned with designs typical to the state of Rajasthan.The Dokra crafts made up of metal and wrought iron items are very popular among the tourists. These articles can be bought as souvenirs or for utility, decoration or gift purpose.One of the most well known shopping items at Orchha are the Baster handicrafts. Baster was once a part of the state of Madhya Pradesh, though, currently, it is a part of Chhattisgarh. This place has earned international fame for its unique traditional crafts. These crafts are also available at Orchha. Therefore, the tourists can easily buy the shopping items of Baster from Orchha.
Best Things To Do in Orcha
Raja Mahal
If you’re someone keenly interested in historic architecture, then you’re surely going to love Raja Mahal. Residing inside the Orchha Fort Complex, this 17th-century masterpiece is a great work of art. The flawless architecture of the palace is what attracts tourists from across the world. There are decorative murals of gods and mythical people and animals. The windows and arcade passages of Raja Mahal are designed in such a way that sunlight entering the palace creates different temperatures and moods throughout the day. There are many secret passages inside the palace too.