ORCHA CITY GUIDE
Orcha'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 temple 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 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.
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 ceiling 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.