Orcha's grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time; a rich legacy to the ages. For, on this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly and the palaces and temple built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their pristine perfection.

Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput chieftain Rudra Pratap who chose this stretch of land along the Betwa river as an ideal site for his capital. Of the succeeding rulers, the most notable was Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo who built the exquisite Jehangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatries. From here the view of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs is spectacular.

Complementing the noble proportions of their exteriors are interiors which represent the finest flowering of the Bundela school of painting. In the Laxminarayan Temple, vibrant murals encompassing a variety of religious and secular themes, bring the walls and ceiling to rich life.

Strewn around the area are little shrines and memorials, each with its own poignant history, each contributing to the nostalgic beauty that is Orchha.

How to Reach
Rail
Nearest railhead at Jhansi (16 km ), on the Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi-Madras main lines. All major mail and express trains stop at jhansi.

Road
Orchha lies on the Jhansi-Khajuraho road. Regular bus services connect Orchha with Jhansi.