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Orchha Tourism – A Hidden Gem In Madhya Pradesh

Orchha, which literally means a hidden place, lies tucked in between the jungles of Madhya Pradesh. The places isn’t highlighted on the tourist map and to reach the town you have to either get to Jhansi and Khajuraho first. Famous for its beautiful monuments and great past, you surely need to plan a trip to Orchha soon. Let’s take a look at some of the attractions the city has to offer.

Established by Maharaja Rudra Pratap Singh in the 16th century, Orchha served as the capital to the Bundela Rajput Kings. It seems like this medieval city has since then kept its historical identity intact. You can easily see that several monuments in the city, still shines in the beautiful aura of its royal times. Being located in between the jungles of Madhya Pradesh, Orchha appears like a hidden gem in the Madhya Pradesh. There are few Orchha tour packages that you can stumble upon, most of them accompanied by Jhansi and Khajuraho. The best way to reach the city is to take an auto rickshaw from Jhansi, which is about 16 km away.

The historical landscapes of Orchha definitely take you back in time. The area hasn’t seen much developments post freedom, and you can still see indigenous communities living peacefully in the villages, the majority of which still depending on farming as a source of livelihood and food. Being a major centre in India’s struggle right from the medieval ages, right from Rani Lakshmibai to the sepoy mutiny of 1857, Jhansi still attracts several tourists in the city. But only the ones interested in exploring the deeper grounds seem to reach Orchha.

Amongst the attractions, the Orchha fort complex draws the maximum crowd. The fort complex is divided into three parts. Another fantastic place to see is the Raj Mahal, which was built in the 17th century by the local ruler Madhukar Shah. Filled with beautiful, colorful murals, the palace carries a religious theme and consisted of several chambers designed like a honeycomb. The Jahangir Mahal, is another major attraction which was also constructed in 17th century by Raja Bir Singh Deo in honor of his friend the Mughal emperor Jahangir. This stunning piece of architecture is another great wonder to visit in the city.

Rai Parveen Mahal, is another great architectural wonder to see in the city. The mahal is dedicated to musician-poetess, Raj Praveen, who was the love affair of Raja Indramani. It is said that even emperor Akbar was taken in by her talent and beauty and summoned her to Delhi, but seeing her undying love for Raja Indramani sent her back to Orchha. Lying in the center of the city, is Ram Raja Temple. Legend has it that the idol of Lord Ram was supposed to be moved to the newly built Chaturbhuj Temple, but the idol refused to leave it position and thus a temple was built around it.

The Laxminarayan temple is another attraction you can’t miss. The walls of the temple is home to some of the most exquisite wall paintings in the country. the majority of these murals have been well preserved and still maintain their natural vibrancy.

So, don’t forget to plan a fantastic trip in this historical city and enjoy the wonders of Orchha!

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