Things To Do In Orchha

Orchha is a small town located on the banks of Betwa river in Madhya Pradesh. The word Orchha means HIDDEN in the local language. The town true to its name had managed to remain hidden from the exploring eyes of the travellers for long. But it is no longer the case. Tourists have started to visit this off-beaten town, and Orchha has slowly started to find its place on the tourism map of the country.

Orchha is a medieval town established by Bundela Rajpoots in the 16th-century. Orchha is a very small town and all the things to do can be done in 1-2 days which makes Orchha an ideal weekend getaway destination.

Use this Orchha travel guide to plan your trip to Orchha.

 
Table of Contents
1 Best time to travel
2 How to reach Orchha
3 Things to do in Orchha
3.1 1) Orchha Fort
3.1.1 a) Jahangir Mahal
3.1.2 b) Raja Mahal
3.2 2) Betwa River
3.3 3) Group of Cenotaphs
3.4 4) Laxminarayan temple
3.5 5) Chaturbhuj Temple
3.6 6) Ram Raja Temple
3.7 7) Jhansi Fort (Jhansi)
3.8 8) Govt. Museum (Jhansi)
3.9 9) St. Jude’s Shrine (Jhansi)
4 Get Around in Orchha
5 Stay in Orchha

Best time to travel

• The cooler climate of winter (mid-November to mid-March) is the ideal time for sightseeing in Orchha.
• The temperature in summer (mid-March to June) can reach as high as 47-degree Celsius. Summer can become unbearable and should be avoided if you don’t want to get roasted.
• Monsoon season (July to October) is met with the relatively lower temperatures than summer months but a higher chance of rain. This period is not only hot but also a lot humid.

How to reach Orchha

Orchha is around 450 kilometres away from the country capital, Delhi and 330 kilometres away from the state capital, Bhopal.

Flight – The closest airport to Orchha is Gwalior Airport(GWL) which in itself is a very small airport with few flights in operation from Delhi and Mumbai. Orchha is around 110 kilometres away from the airport and you would have to take a cab to reach there.

Train – Orchha does not have its own railway station and closest railway station is 15 kilometres away in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. Jhansi Junction(JHS) is well connected to all the major cities of India. Gatimaan Express and Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi departs from the Delhi in the morning and reaches Jhansi in less than 5 hours.
From the railway station, you can take a taxi for around Rs 300 to reach Orchha. Alternatively, you can also take auto-rickshaws for Rs 200 – 300.
If the above option seems expensive to you and you are willing to make peace with a little bit of inconvenience, there is a cheaper option as well in the form of shared auto-rickshaws. Board one of the shared auto-rickshaw going to the Jhansi station bus stop for Rs 15. From the bus stop, board another shared auto-rickshaw going to Orchha for Rs 20. These rickshaws cram 10-12 people and only go when they are full.

Bus – There are few private night buses that operate between Delhi and Jhansi. They take around 7-8 hours to reach Jhansi and cost around Rs 600.

Car – Orchha is connected to Delhi via Taj Express Highway and NH44. The total journey takes around 8-9 hours.

Things to do in Orchha

1) Orchha Fort

Orchha Fort was built by the Bundela Rajput king, Rudra Pratap Singh, who was the first king of Orchha. The Orchha fort complex has many palaces and monuments but it is prominent for Jahangir Mahal and Raja Mahal.

a) Jahangir Mahal

Jahangir Mahal is named after the Mughal emperor, Jahangir. The palace was built by the Orccha king in the reception of Jahangir. The Mughal architecture makes it stands apart from the rest of the Rajput styled structures of the fort complex.

b) Raja Mahal

Raja Mahal was built as the residence of king and queen. The palace is built in a perfect square style. The interior of the palace is painted with beautiful paintings of Hindu gods.

Travel Tip: Keep the ticket once you come out of the fort. This ticket gives you the entry to Laxminarayan temple as well.

ALSO READ: ORCHHA FORT – A HIDDEN GEM

Address – Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
Phone – +91 89827 79171
Opening Hours – 8 AM to 5 PM
Suggested Duration – 3 hours
Ticket Cost – Rs 10 (Indian), Rs 200 (Foreigners), Rs 25 (Camera/Mobile), Rs 200 (Video Camera).

2) Betwa River

The serene Betwa river is the perfect place to relax and lost in nature. This is also an ideal spot to enjoy the sunrise and sunset. You can sit at one of the rocks close to the bridge and enjoy the surroundings. If you want, you can also take a dip in the water but stay close to the rocks. If you are feeling adventurous, you can go for kayaking or river rafting.

3) Group of Cenotaphs

Cenotaphs or Chhatris are located on the bank of the Betwa river. There are 15 cenotaphs to the Bundela kings and the members of their families. All the cenotaphs are well preserved and maintained. The architecture is stunning. The oldness and rustiness of cenotaphs just add to their majestic beauty.

Suggested Duration – 30 minutes to 1 hour
Ticket Cost – Free

4) Laxminarayan temple

This 17th-century temple is dedicated to the Laxmi, goddess of prosperity and wealth. The temple is still in use and goddess Laxmi is worshipped daily. You will see many wedding invitations offered to the Laxmi idol which is done to get the marriage blessed with prosperity and wealth.

Bundela and Mughal form of art paintings cover the walls and ceilings of the halls of Laxminarayan temple. The paintings cover the mix of mythical, social and secular topics. Some of the paintings illustrate the episodes of Ramayana, and of Lord Krishna. The colour has faded from some portion but paintings are still aesthetic.

The stairs from the hall go to the top of the temple which provides lovely views of the outside.

Address – Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
Opening Hours – 8:30 AM to 5 PM
Suggested Duration – 1 hour
Ticket Cost – Entry is included in the ticket to Orchha Fort.

5) Chaturbhuj Temple

This is the 16th-century temple built by the Bundela Rajputs. ‘Chaturbhuj’ is a Sanskrit word which means “one who has four arms” and refers to Lord Rama. The temple was originally intended to worship Lord Rama. But after the image of Rama was installed in Ram Raj Temple, the image of Radha Krishna was installed in the temple.

The structure of the temple has a fusion of temple, fort and palace features. The large entrance of the temple with an arcaded opening is similar to the fort entrance. The steep and narrow stairs go to the top of the temple from where one can see the clear view of the Orchha town.

Address – Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
Opening Hours – 8:30 AM to 5 PM
Suggested Duration – 30 minutes to 1 hour
Ticket Cost – Free

6) Ram Raja Temple

Ram Raja Temple is a Hindu temple which receives close to 3000 visitors daily. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. It is the only temple in India where Lord Rama is worshipped as a king. A guard of honour is provided every day and the royal meal is offered.

According to the local folklore, Queen of Orchha had brought the image of Lord Rama from Ayodhya to be placed in the Chaturbhuj Temple. But the image once placed in the palace refused to move, a temple was created in the palace which is now called Ram Raja Temple.

You are not allowed to bring leather material inside the temple. I had to leave my belt outside the temple. Photography is prohibited inside the temple.

Address – Orchha, Madhya Pradesh
Opening Hours – 8 AM to 12:30 PM, 8 PM to 10:30 PM
Suggested Duration – 30 minutes
Ticket Cost – Free

7) Jhansi Fort (Jhansi)

Jhansi Fort is the fortress located on a hilltop in Jhansi. It was in the middle of the action when Revolt of 1857 broke out against British East India Company. The Queen of Jhansi, Lakshmibai, led the Jhansi forces against the Company forces.

Jhansi Fort is not as big as other forts of India. The complete exploration of the fort can be done in 3 hours. One gets the amazing 360-degree view of the Jhansi city.

ALSO READ: JHANSI FORT – TESTIMONY TO THE VALOUR OF RANI LAKSHMIBAI

Address – Near Lakshmi Bai Park, Jhokan Bagh, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
Opening Hours – Sunrise to Sunset
Suggested Duration – 2 to 3 hours
Ticket Cost – Rs 25 (Indian), Rs 300 (Foreigners), Free (Children under 15 years)

8) Govt. Museum (Jhansi)

The Govt. Museum in Jhansi showcases the Chandela dynasty and Rani Lakshmibai through paintings, portraits, and weapons. The museum is divided into many different sections. One section uses the diorama and paintings to describe the uprising of 1857. An art gallery is dedicated to Rani Lakshmibai and her revolt against British East India Company. The sections having archaeological artefacts of Gupta period, and statues of the Tirthankar (Jain spiritual teacher) are the highlight of the museum. Other sections include weaponry and art paintings of Chandela dynasty, oil paintings exhibiting the stories of Lord Rama and Krishna.

Address – Jhokan Bagh, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
Opening Hours – 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM (Monday and second Sunday closed)
Suggested Duration – 1 hour
Ticket Cost – Rs 5 (Indian), Rs 25 (Foreigners), Rs 20 (Camera/Mobile)

9) St. Jude’s Shrine (Jhansi)

St. Jude’s Shrine is located in Jhansi and is devoted to St. Jude Thaddaeus, patron saint of desperate cases and lost causes. One will be welcomed with beautiful gardens and a serene atmosphere.

Address – Civil Lines, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
Phone – +91 510 247 1205
Official Website – http://shrine.jhansidiocese.org/
Suggested Duration – 30 minutes to 1 hour
Ticket Cost – Free

Get Around in Orchha

• Orchha is a small town and can be covered on foot.
• In Jhansi, auto-rickshaws are a convenient mode of travel.

Stay in Orchha

Being Orchha a small town, there are not many hotels to choose from. You can get a decent budget hotel with wifi but no other amenity for as low as Rs 300.

I have compiled a few options for your stay:

Hotel Sunset: This is a budget hotel in Orchha. You can get a room with no AC and TV for the price of Rs 300. The wifi is complimentary. It doesn’t provide any food service except for tea and coffee. I had stayed at Hotel Sunset on my Orchha trip. Though amenities are limited, the staff is courteous and helpful. I had a super experience and loved the stay more than some of the 3-star hotels I have experienced in life.
Price Range: Rs 300 – 400

ALSO READ: MY EXPERIENCE AT HOTEL SUNSET

OYO 19041 RamDham Banquets: This hotel is a part of a budget hotel chain, Oyo Rooms. All the room offers amenities like wifi, LED, and AC. Fixed menu breakfast is also provided as complementary.
Price Range: Rs 800 – 1000

Betwa Retreat: This is a 3-star hotel run by Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department. The hotel comprises 1 Heritage Suite, 14 Rooms, 10 Tents and 5 Deluxe Tents. All the rooms are equipped with AC, TV and wifi. Complimentary buffet breakfast is served in their Indian restaurant. You can also relax after the hectic day in the swimming pool.
Price Range: Rs 3000 – 4000

Orchha Palace and Convention Centre: It is a 5-star hotel located 3 kilometres away from Orchha Fort. The hotel comprises Presidential, Delux, and Standard rooms. All the rooms are provided with modern amenities like LED, AC, electronic safe, and tea/coffee maker along with complimentary buffet breakfast. The hotel also has the facility of two in-house restaurants and a bar, spa and fitness centre, swimming pool, and children’s play area.
Price Range: Rs 4000 – 5500

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