Madhya Pradesh is a treasure trove of a royal city like Bhopal, a smart city like Indore, and nature-based places such as Pachmarhi. Orchha is a fort city which was the headquarters of the Bundelkhand kingdom, once upon a time. 

Orchha in Madhya Pradesh is a place of interest for people belonging to various fields. A history buff, a spiritually oriented person, a backpacker, an explorer or a person just wanting to have thrill and adventure while travelling, this place offers something for everyone. For people interested in architecture, the monuments are a treat. It shows a beautiful cultural blend of Bundelkhand and Medieval architecture and is greatly appreciated for its engineering work too. Orchha tourist places give an experience of a mix of history, architecture and thrill.

Places to visit in Orchha

Orchha settled on the banks of the river Betwa and was discovered by the Bundela Rajput King, Maharaja Rudra Pratap Singh in the 16th century. It seems that the town is still dwelling in the grandeur of the past as the monuments here are fresh and still speak about the history they have witnessed and have imprints of all the former rulers, who have contributed immensely to the evolution of this place. 

Places to visit in Orchha include beautiful palaces and temples depicting mediaeval architecture, each narrating the story of their grand past of which they were once a part.

Orchha Fort Complex 

Orchha fort is a complex comprising many structures. Orchha fort complex overlooking the Betwa river sure paints a beautiful picture. It houses the fort, palaces, temples and other important architectural structures. 

The Orchha fort complex is different from the ones in Rajasthan like Kumbhalgarh or the ones in Maharashtra like Lohagad Fort. Rajasthan’s forts were built on Mewar architecture however this one is a blend of local Chandela, Mughal and Mediaeval architecture. It was built by Maharaja Rudra Pratap Singh and more features were added to it by its subsequent kings to beautify it. 

The fort of Orchha depicts the grandeur and stories of valour of Rajput Bundela Kings. One of the major tourist attractions in Orchha is the light and sound show which starts only after the fort is closed for visitors during both the summer and winter seasons. 

The sound of running horses in the background, the lions, war-like situations and the narration of Orchha’s glorious past take visitors deep into history, experiencing it today. It is operational in both Hindi and English languages and has different timings as per the season.  

Raja Palace 

Raja Palace forms a major part of the Orchha fort complex. As the name suggests, it is the main palace where the King and the Queens resided. It was constructed by Raja Rudra Pratap Singh in the 16th century and was later completed by King Madhukar Shah in the 17th century. 

The exterior of the palace is very simple and bare, however, the interiors are very lavish and grand. It is decorated with beautiful architectural designs and murals and has various theme-based works of art about the Gods, Mythical creatures and people. 

A part of this temple has been converted into Ram Raja Temple, dedicated to Lord Ram. As Lord Ram is worshipped here within the palace, this place is the only shrine of Lord Rama in the country where the Lord is worshipped as a King, making it to the list of important places to visit in Orchha.

Sheesh Mahal 

Places to visit in Orchha cannot be complete without visiting the Sheesh Mahal. Once a residential palace of Maharaja Udait Singh, King of Orchha, it was built to give the king a peaceful and private place to rest and retreat. Much like the palace of mirrors in Jaipur and Bhuj, this is similar and opulent. 

A part of this grand palace has also been converted into a modern-day hotel with all the lavish amenities and is accounted as one of India’s major Heritage Hotels. It has Deluxe, Super Deluxe and a Suite for the guests to enjoy the grandeur of a royal stay during their visit. It also helps to organise conferences and destination weddings at the hotel. 

Jahangir Palace 

Orchha in Madhya Pradesh is a place which speaks volumes of friendship and hospitality. The Jahangir palace was built during the 17th century, by Bir Singh Deo for the emperor Jahangir, his friend, on his maiden visit as a gesture of warm welcome. It’s an architectural marvel and is a three-storied structure built around a square with marvellous sculptures, hanging balconies and delicate chhatris. 

Palace depicts beautiful Indo-Islamic architecture and is marked by different courtyards, rooms, intricate balconies and domes. This palace marks evidence of a friendship between two rulers of different communities. It is now under the aegis of the Madhya Pradesh Archeological Department.

Raja Ram Temple | Orchha Temple

It is also known as the Orchha temple and is one of the oldest temples in India and is considered to be very sacred. Built-in the 16th century, this is the only place in India where Lord Rama is worshipped as a King and that too in a palace. A guard of honour is given to the Lord every day and police personnel are deployed as the guards of the King. The food provided to the Lord too is royal in nature. Armed salutation is given to the Lord every day. 

This Orchha temple was built by Raja Madhukar Shah for his queen Ganesh Kuwari. The legend says that Ganesh Kuwari went to Ayodhya to get an image of Lord Rama to enshrine in her new temple in Orchha. However, as the construction of the temple was not complete, the idol of the Lord had to be placed in the palace temporarily. 

When the construction got completed, the idol was to be moved to Chaturbhuj Temple however the idol refused to be removed from its place. As such, the palace was converted into a temple and Lord Rama was worshipped as King. Here, Lord Rama is sitting in Padmasana and spotting his left foot is considered to be very auspicious. This is amongst the unmissable places to visit in Orchha and one of its kind in India. 

Also Read about the unique temple in Madhya Pradesh: Bhojeshwar Shiva Temple, Bhopal.

Chaturbhuj Temple

As the name suggests ‘Chaturbhuj’ means one who has four hands. This temple refers to Rama as an avatar of Vishnu. It was originally built to house an idol of Lord Rama which was brought from Ayodhya to be enshrined here. However, the idol refused to be removed from its place and hence Raja Rama Temple was built within the Palace. The image of Radha Krishna is worshipped here. 

Architecturally, this temple has tall spires in the shape of spine cones four in number resembling the four arms of the Chaturbhuj. It resembles the Basilica in its looks.

Royal Cenotaphs

The purpose of building cenotaphs is to remember and commemorate the great rulers of the Bundela dynasty who gave grandeur and magnificence to this place. 

These are fourteen of the kinds built on the bank of the river Betwa. They were built from the early 16th to 18th centuries. Here too like other structures the architecture is a fine blend of Mughal and Bundela (Rajput) styles and speaks greatly of the cultural influences of that time. 

These are built on a raised platform usually and designed as tall and square shapes with chhatris on the top. Orchha in Madhya Pradesh offers an enigmatic combination of history with spiritualism which marks it boldly on the tourism map. 

Laxmi Narayan Temple

It is built at a place around 2 km from the Orchha Fort Complex, this temple is dedicated to goddess Laxmi, who is the Hindu goddess of wealth. It was initially built by Maharaja Bir Singh Deo in the year 1622 however because of low maintenance it was in a bad shape. 

Later it was reconstructed by Maharaja Prithvi Singh in the year 1793. Like other monuments in Orchha, this temple too is an architectural beauty which is rectangular in shape and the walls depict beautiful paintings and murals. The themes of these paintings are mostly from the Ram Charit Manas and from India’s first struggle for independence in the year 1857. 

Phool bagh 

As the name suggests, Phool bagh is a garden which fascinates visitors with its greenery. It maintains all the aesthetics of the Bundela kingdom. 

It houses beautiful fountains in the centre of the place which has an amazing system of water ventilation and it keeps the area cool. There are two wind-catching towers which are named after the Indian months of Saawan and Bhaddon which are perforated on the top to catch air and the bottom of these towers are connected to the reservoir. The aeration and the water systems are such that it helps the area to cool and hence these are called the cooling towers of Orchha. These are the lone examples of the Persian system of cooling in India.

Rai Parveen Mahal 

Rai Parveen was a great poet and singer and was known as the ‘Nightingale of Orchha’. The palace has three stories and the central hall the palace has beautiful paintings showing the various moods of Rai Parveen. The architecture of the palace is such that it ensures cool temperatures even during heated summer days. It has been seen that the temperature inside the palace is said to be ten degrees lower than the outside temperature. Alongside the palace, there is a beautiful garden, also known as the Anand Mahal Bagh.

Other Attractions in Orchha 

Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary 

Out of the many places to visit in Orchha, Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary offers amazing opportunities for wildlife spotting, birding and photography. It was established in the year 1994 and lies within the area where the Betwa river flows. 

Compared to other wildlife sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh, this one is small, around 45 sq km. Wildlife enthusiasts may not be able to spot the big cats like Tigers and Leopards however animals like Jackal, Sloth Bear Nilgai and Blue Bull are among the most seen. 

There are around 200 species of birds including the in-house as well as migrant birds which can be seen here. One can spot peafowls, Swan, black swans, peacocks, Jungle bush quail and many more. 

Shahid Smarak of Chandra Shekhar Azad 

Orchha becomes relevant to this legendary hero as he spent a few days here during his days of exile and made a creditable contribution to India’s freedom struggle. It is situated around 4 km from Orchha and gives a comprehensive account of his life spent here.  

Rafting in Orchha 

Amongst all Orchha tourist places, which are bound by history and architecture, rafting gives a different experience and is meant for all the tourists and backpackers who are looking for some adventure during their trip. One can go rafting on the rapids of the Betwa river. There are many institutes in Orchha which arrange and facilitate rafting. Some names are Ram Raja Adventures and Orchha Adventure Camp.

Places to visit near Orchha 

Jhansi 

Located at around 13 km from Orchha and just half an hour’s drive, Jhansi town is well known for India’s struggle for independence. Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi played an epic role in the freedom struggle. It was ruled by Chandela kings in the early 11th century and later was ruled by Peshwa I. Having importance in history, Jhansi houses a magnificent fort, beautiful gardens and Chhatris (Cenotaphs) of its rulers which forms an important part of sightseeing. 

Khajuraho 

The place is known for its beautiful sculptures on temples. There are around 85 temples here, each built in sandstone with various shades of pink, buff and yellow. Located at a distance of around 185 Kms from Orchha, this place is a must-visit for people who are connoisseurs of art.  

Gwalior 

Another historic town closeby to Orchha ka Kila is Gwalior which is located at a distance of 120 Kms or a two hours drive. Being the birthplace of the great Sangeet Samrat Tansen, this city not only boasts of royalty but also is rich in history and cultural heritage. It is famous for grand palaces, temples and a fort. The city has given many leaders in Indian politics like Late Shri Madhav Rao Sindhia and Jyotiraditya Sindhia.

Best time to visit Orchha 

Orchha has hot weather. The temperatures in summer can go up to 45/47 degree celsius making it very difficult and exhausting to go sightseeing.

From September, the temperatures begin to fall making it pleasant. These temperatures keep Orchha vibrant till the month of March. One can visit Orchha between these months.

Ideal months to visit are October and November when the temperatures are cool and the weather clear thus making it ideal for moving around places and sightseeing.

How to reach Orchha 

The approximate distances from various important cities of Madhya Pradesh to Orchha are:

Orchha to Jhansi – 13 Kms (27 min)

Orchha to Gwalior – 120 Kms (2 Hr 25 min)

Orchha to Khajuraho – 183 Kms (3 Hr 12 min)

Orchha to Bhopal – 335 Kms (6 Hr 54 min)

Orchha to Indore – 490 Kms (8 Hr 35 min)

By Flight

The nearest Airport from Orchha is Gwalior and it is connected to all the metros via rail, road and air. From Gwalior, one can take a taxi to reach Orchha.

By Rail 

The nearest railway station to Orchha is Jhansi. It is one of the busiest and largest railway stations in India and falls under the main railway line of the Delhi-Chennai and Delhi-Mumbai Line. 

By Road 

By road, the nearest place is Jhansi. One can take an autorickshaw or hire a taxi to reach Orchha. 

There are many tour operators who can arrange transportation from Jhansi and Gwalior by pre-arranged taxis to reach Orchha. One can also contact Madhya Pradesh Tourism for any queries.

Where to stay during the Orchha fort visit

There are few options to stay in Orchha but all of them are cosy and comfortable. There is a lovely Madya Pradesh tourism resort, right by the riverside while there are other private resorts too.

Luxury Resorts in Orchha

Bundelkhand Riverside is a luxury property spread over 50 acres of scenic land on the banks of the River Betwa. The 4-star property in Orchha features an outdoor pool and a games room.

Hotel Rajwada Palace is another great property in Orchha.

FAQs about Places to visit in Orchha and Orchha Fort

Is Orchha a world heritage site?

Orchha is a living cultural site which is why this historical fort city Orchha has been included in the list of UNESCO world heritage cities. Another fort town in Madhya Pradesh is Mandu which is also worth the visit.

Is Orchha worth visiting?

Orchha is a stunning place and well worth a visit due to its culture and architecture. There are palaces, temples, forts and many other amazing places to visit.

What is special in Orchha?

While Orchha has many attractions like a palace, fort and temples, there are many offbeat things to do in Orchha such as visiting a wildlife sanctuary, water-rafting and a shahid smarak.

How many days are sufficient for Orchha?

Orchha is a small town but offers many places to visit. Ideally, the entire town of Orchha can be covered in 2 days. 

Sustainable travel tips for Places to visit in Orchha

• India is a conservative country with hot weather so wear the right clothes. The skirt and pants till knee level are good. Avoid spaghetti and tank tops. Cover your shoulders with a scarf if necessary.
• Choose local food wherever possible.
• Do not litter tourist places. Always use a dustbin.
• Do not harm the palace, forts and temple structures by carving or writing on it

Disclaimer – This post contains affiliate links. It means it adds no extra cost to you if you book through the link but I get a referral bonus which helps me earn a little to keep this website up and running.

Pin this post!

The post All about Orchha Fort and Places to visit in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh appeared first on Explore with Ecokats.

It is October and it is high time to get the last seat on the plane to an amazing place to spend the New Year’s Eve. Most of us want to have a blast by partying in an exotic location dressed in the best dress. Google the best places to party for New Year’s Eve and you’ll come across New York, Paris, Amsterdam, Sydney, Goa and so many amazing places. But there are others who prefer to welcome the New year silently in the comforts of their own homes or city, some visit a national park or cycle around. Some just choose to have a sustainable New Year’s Eve.

How many of us know that United Nations has designated 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development? With the rise of international travelers from 674 million in 2000 to almost double – 1.2 billion in 2015, sustainable tourism needs to be the priority of all of us.

Luckily there are a serious bunch of travelers who are trying to keep the environmental impact to minimum while still having an amazing time. These committed sustainable travelers are keeping the carbon footprint down while exploring the world and connecting with various cultures. Here are their recommendations/experiences on How to Spend a Sustainable New Year’s Eve which may help you in planning the right kind of ‘party’.

Eco-friendly Accommodation/ Ecotel for a Sustainable New Year’s Eve

From Sara Alexis of The Life of a Solivagant

As a person who considers herself a responsible traveler, when I am looking into trips in general I try to find accommodations and activities that are sustainable, eco-friendly and ethical. Booking a trip for New Years is no different. I am currently looking into spending New Years in Cambodia and the first thing I did was looked to find eco-friendly and/or sustainable hotels. Before anything else, I think this is the most important and easiest thing to do. Simply by googling ‘sustainable hotels in Cambodia’ I was able to pull up a list of them.

The main focus here is to find something that either gives back to the community, is environmentally friendly, or run by locals. It’s as easy as that. And the easiest way to find out is to go the website of the hotel and if they don’t have a page specifically on their sustainable efforts, they tend to outline what they do in their ‘About Us’ section. You can do this for any country you are traveling to. Whatever else I end up doing for New Years, at least I will know I am spending it in a hotel that participates in responsible tourism, if nothing else. But of course, there will always be ethical tours to look into, run by locals/community, and other such sustainable tourism to participate in. But one thing at a time when it comes to planning. ( Green Leaf Boutique, was the best sustainable hotel I found in Siem Reap).

Instagram / Facebook 

Sustainable Travel by Bicycle for a Sustainable New Year’s Eve

From Carolina Nordfors of Velovelo

Reducing your carbon footprint involves making sacrifices, but not when it comes to traveling. By choosing a slow way to travel you will actually maximize your experience while saving the planet. Let’s call it a win win. Instead of doing a world trip with fixed destinations pinned on a map and relying on cars, buses, trains and airplanes to get me there I am traveling on my bicycle. I am free to go wherever I want and stop when I feel like it, and that’s the beauty of it. I am now exploring the countries I visit and reach destinations so far away from the guidebook that the locals look really surprised to see me coming.

As I travel this way I am realizing how much I have missed on previous trips. Arriving at the airport, catch a taxi to a hotel and from there start to explore a destination and look for great places off the beaten track is not the way to do it. It usually means that you will just beat that track a bit more. What I have learnt in the past year is that, when going slow on a bike to a destination you will probably find at least ten great places before you reach the goal, some of them will even be better than the destination itself. When not distancing yourself from the world outside in a car or bus you will also be in contact with the nature and people as you go.

This for me is the greatest experience. To meet local people who are warm, welcoming and very curious. This kind of interaction you will have to sacrifice when burning more fossil fuel when travel.

So why not kick start next year with a sustainable journey? Remember, the bicycle is a simple solution to very complicated problems. Make it a new years resolution!

Volunteer for Wildlife Protection for a Sustainable New Year’s Eve

From Jennifer Riley of The Rainbow Route

The more my wife and I travel, the less satisfied we are with trips for the sake of vacation or adventure. As we have seen more of the world, we have realised that we are global citizens who need to nurture the places we visit. There’s no doubt that travel leaves a considerable carbon footprint, so we have become more conscious about using sustainable products and researching ethical tourism before each trip.

For our upcoming trips to the island of Maui, we wanted to help with maintaining the natural beauty that people come to Hawaii to see. After our first trip, where we saw beaches littered with cigarette butts and turtles with huge cancerous tumours, we knew we had to do something more than just lie on the beach and complain. Maui has several volunteer opportunities available to tourists. This year, we will be helping protect turtle nests at night as well as working with Maui Cultural Lands whose aim is to protect and restore Hawaiian cultural resources. Giving back in this way adds a sense of purpose to our travels and helps us feel more connected to the lands we are visiting.

Instagram / Facebook 

Responsible Accommodation for a Sustainable New Year’s Eve

From Ellie Cleary of Soul Travel Blog

Dreaming of escaping to somewhere exotic for New Year? Bohol, Philippines might just be the perfect Island getaway. Unfortunately The Philippines has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons of late. But across the ocean and miles away from Manila, lush Bohol is quiet, peaceful, and perhaps the closest the Philippines has come to eco-friendly tourism. Set just 3 hours ferry ride from Cebu, Bohol delicately strikes that balance of being accessible, without being too accessible.

During my time there last winter, I was lucky enough to stay at Amorita Resort. Amorita is a luxury, boutique, eco resort that takes its environmental impact and responsibility very seriously. When the resort was developed, instead of causing trees and vegetation to be cut down (as is usually the case for resort development), Amorita was designed around nature, to make the most of the naturally stunning setting. From locally produced and organic products in the rooms, to local recycling awareness days for the staff and their families the resort is doing a lot to give back. They are the ONLY resort to have a waste water treatment system in that area of Bohol – which speaks volumes. Gazing out from Amorita’s infinity pool over the Pacific Ocean as the sky turns pink, while knowing that the resort is doing good, is a feeling not to be missed.

Away from the hotel you can experience the beautiful ecosystem of the Abatan River (I recommend avoiding the very touristic Luboc river cruise which most standard island tours include) and instead support local NGO Process Bohol who are using proceeds from tourism to help fund conservation, spread local awareness of the need to protect the environment, and to train local villagers to become kayak guides. You can even go with them to see the evening fireflies.

Instagram / Facebook

Living sustainably as a New Year’s Resolution

From Nuraini Arsad of Teja on the Horizon

We have such busy lives. It can be hard to pause, find time to take a breath, and space to reflect. Frequent travel doesn’t really help with that.

Isn’t it great then, that a New Year tends to be associated with looking back at what has been, and then looking ahead with resolve? That there usually is space to do that in, with work typically winding down to a lull?

There’s a sustainability habit that I began some years ago, to take advantage of this time and this mood. I figured since I would likely think back on my year, and invariably on my travels too, I could easily do this at the same time to reflect on my carbon debt, and do my carbon offset.

I personally do this at Terrapass, for reasons that I explain here.

For flights, all I need are the departure and arrival airports. For my car, I’d pull out the maintenance record which shows the mileage, and then pro-rate an estimated mileage for the year for my car’s model. And I’d make a best guess for other travel. Do at least this if you’re a frequent traveller, since this will form the lion’s share of your personal emissions.

As the website is US-centric, for home emissions I’d choose an equivalent proxy location for the calculation. Although I have my electricity bills, which note the amount consumed, the location provides the type of power generation. I usually use Florida zip code on the basis that it’s similar in climate to Malaysia and uses predominantly fossil fuel power generation.

Give it a try! It surprisingly costs relatively little to pay your debt – negligible compared to what you’ve spent on the holiday!

Pinterest / Facebook

Ethical Wildlife Tourism for Sustainable New Year’s Eve

From Michelle of MichWanderlust

“One simple thing you can do is research your destination or intended activity before you go, especially when it comes to wildlife tourism.

For example, you’re an avid diver and your ultimate goal is to see sharks. You’ve heard that whale shark sightings are guaranteed in Oslob, Philippines. Sounds good, right?

Not really. A quick Google search of “whale sharks Oslob” (as of 4 October 2017) will turn up at least 3 results on the first page listing the reasons why you shouldn’t swim with whale sharks in Oslob. For example, many have sustained injuries from coming too close to the boats. And staying there all year long will affect their migration, and possibly, reproduction patterns.

A bit more Googling about ethical shark dives will reveal ethical alternatives right there in the Philippines, like Donsol.

Another great example of ethical shark tourism in the Philippines is Malapascua. There are very strict rules in place to protect the sharks. Moreover, a portion of the diving proceeds goes to a fund set up to protect and conserve the sharks and the reef.

In this way, you get to enjoy these majestic creatures without hurting anybody.

Across the Pacific Ocean, another example is found in Amazonian port towns where you can cuddle a sloth, dance with an anaconda, or pose with a giant anteater. A bit of background knowledge on animal welfare should immediately set alarm bells off. As a good rule of thumb, when a wildlife encounter crosses the line from observation to interaction, it’s bad for the animals.

Don’t worry, though. Even if you have no luck spotting them in the wild, you can still see these beautiful animals in rescue centers and sanctuaries. Just make sure they’re accredited and reputable.

In Ecuador, I can recommend Amazoonico Rescue Center. The Ministry of Environment sends them confiscated animals and they try to rehabilitate and release them. However, they receive no government funding. They charge a small admission fee, but throw in a free guided tour. If you ask me, that’s money well-spent!

So just take a few minutes before you go anywhere and do some Googling. The animals and the environment will thank you.”

Twitter / Facebook

Reducing carbon footprint by Overland Travel

From Maria Aardal of Both-Paths Travelers

Traveling overland is a great way to travel, however it is often overlooked. Traveling overland is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of flying from place to place you travel by local transport such as bus, train and maybe even hitchhiking. Overland travel is sustainable not only because of the positive side for the environment, but also because you support local businesses. It is great to travel and be able to support the locals at the places you travel.

Earlier this year we traveled for 1.5 months in Southeast Asia. We only traveled overland, and it was an amazing experience. While it can be tiring at times, we never regretted it. You get to see the country from a completely different side of a country. When you take local busses and trains you do not only see the touristy spots and the highlights. You also get to see the hidden secrets of a country. You get to see the beautiful countryside. Local transport is also a great way to meet locals. Meeting locals should be a bigger part of traveling than it is today. Is there really any better way to see a country than through the eyes of a local?

As travelers it is our responsibility to travel without causing damage. As traveling is becoming such a huge part of the world, it is important that sustainable traveling gets more attention. Traveling is amazing, and it can open your entire world. It is a incredible way for bringing attention to the positives and negatives of the world. However it also opens for a dark marked. It is our responsibility that we do not encourage that.

Overland traveling is a very different way of traveling, and it is something every traveler should experience.

Instagram / Facebook

Volunteering with NGO

From Ketki of Explore with Ecokats

Local NGOs in your own city give a variety of options to sustainably spend the New Year’s Eve. I chose to volunteer with an NGO in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, India for picking up garbage along the hiking route where tourists came to party. As shocking as it was to see the amount of waste generated along the way, the repeated requests to dispose garbage in designated areas fell on deaf ears of trekkers. I picked and packed the garbage as explained by the NGO staff.

It was a liberating experience for me as i did something good for the environment instead of spending money in a fancy club. I plan to continue doing the same with other NGOs located in various places.

Instagram / Facebook 

The post How to spend a Sustainable New Year’s Eve appeared first on Explore with Ecokats.