Nestled on the banks of river Betwa, the historic town of Orchha in Madhya Pradesh is not one of those well famed cities. But, the town surely deserves a visit of its own because of its beautiful monuments that reveal the tales of battles between kings and emperors. Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput Chief, Rudra Pratap. The town houses some of the most fascinating temples and palaces that will help you realise a childhood fantasy – travelling back in time.
Chaturbhuj Temple is another major attraction of the region. The temple was constructed by the famous Bundela Rajput kings in the 17th century. The architecture of the temple is exquisite, and it is said that the particular site of the temple was decided upon by the king to enable him to see god Krishna from the balcony of his palace.
Another famous attraction here is the Jhansi Fort. The fort was built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo on Bangra, a rocky hill. It ranks amongst the best fortified areas in India. The museum inside the fort has sculptures that give a clear view of the history of Bundelkhand.
Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a wide range of animals and is one of the major attractions among tourists. Some of the animals found here includes, tigers, leopards, langur, jackal, sloth bear, blue bull, monkey and peacock. The place is also a delight for the bird watchers, as there are nearly 200 species of birds.
Best time to visit Orchha
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 Orchha
By Air – The nearest airport is Khajuraho. Several airlines connect it to other major cities of India like Delhi, Varanasi.
By Train – The nearest railhead is at Jhansi (18 km from Orchha). As Jhansi is located on the main Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai route, many trains pass and stop here.
By Road – Orchha lies on the road between Jhansi and Khajuraho. Gwalior is only 120kms away from Orchha by road.