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Orchha
Excursion
[ Orchha Fort | Chaturbhuj Temple
| Laxminarayan Temple | Phool Bagh
| Sunder Mahal | Chhatris | Shahid
Smarak ]
Orchha Fort
Orchha's fort complex approached by a multi-arched
bridge has three palaces set in an open quadrangle. The most spectacular
of them are:
- Jehangir Mahal:
This mahal was built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo in the 17th century
to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Orchha. Delicate
chhatris and trelliswork, they bear an effect of extraordinary
richness, balance the mahal's strong lines.
- Raj Mahal:
Situated to the right of the quadrangle, this palace was built
in the 17th century by Madhukar Shah, the deeply religious ancestor
of Bir Singh Ju Deo. It is the example of the Bundela Rajput architecture.
It has two rectangular courtyards around which the floors rise
in tiers; typically there are cool chambers below ground and a
fountain. Some of the original blue tile decoration remains on
the upper outer walls. The palace has plain outer walls. Left
side of the first courtyard is the Hall of Private Audience. This
hall is covered with rich carpets and cushions.
- Rai
Parveen Mahal:
Rai Parveen was, a poetess and musician, and the beautiful mistress
of Raja Indramani (1672- 76) and was sent to Delhi on the orders
of the Emperor Akbar, who was charmed by her. She impressed the
Great Mughal with the purity of her love for Indramani so much
that he sent her back to Orchha. The palace built for her was
a low, two-storeyed brick structure designed to match the height
of the trees in the surrounding, beautifully landscaped gardens
of Anand Mahal, with its octagonal flower beds and elaborate water
supply system. Skillfully carved niches allow light into the Mahal
which has a main hall and smaller chambers.
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Chaturbhuj Temple
Built upon a massive stone platform and reached by a steep flight
of steps, the temple was specially constructed to bless the image
of Rama that remained in the Ram Raja Temple. Lotus emblems and
other symbols of religious significance provide the delicate exterior
ornamentation. Within, the sanctum is chastely plain with high,
vaulted walls emphasizing its deep sanctity.
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Laxminarayan
Temple
A flagstone path links this temple with the Ram Raja Temple. The style
is an interesting synthesis of fort and temple moulds. The interiors
contain the most exquisite of Orchha's wall paintings. Covering the
walls and ceiling of three halls, these murals are vibrant compositions
and cover a variety of spiritual and secular subjects. They are in
excellent state of preservation, with the colours retaining their
vivid quality.
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Phool Bagh
Laid out as a formal garden, this complex testifies to the refined
aesthetic qualities of the Bundelas. A central row of fountains is
included in an eight-pillared palace-pavilion. An underground structure
was the cool relaxation of the Orchha kings. An innovational system
of water ventilation connects the underground palace with Chandan
Katora, a bowl-like structure from whose fountain droplets of water
filtered through to the roof, simulating rainfall.
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Sunder Mahal
This small palace, almost in ruins today is still a place of pilgrimage
for Muslims. Dhurjban, son of Jhujhar, embraced Islam when he wed
a Muslim girl at Delhi. He spent the latter part of his life in prayer
and meditation and came to be revered as a saint.
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Chhatris
There
are 14 Chhatris or Memorials all in the memories for the rulers
of Orchha, grouped along the Kanchan Ghat of the river Betwa.
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Shahid Smarak
This memorial commemorates the great freedom fighter
Chandrashekhar Azad who lived and worked in hiding in Orchha during
1926 and 1927. Other places worth seeing are the shrines of Siddh
Baba Ka Sthan, Jugal Kishore, Janki Mandir and the Hanuman Mandir.
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Information on Tours & Travel excursion of Orchha city of Madhya
Pradesh - India
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