About Orchha Tourism

About Orchha Tourism
Orchha town lies in the state of Madhya Pradesh in the Tikamgarh district. It was once the capital town of a Rajput ruler whose name is unknown. Orchha is located on the banks of the Betwa River and lies 15 km away from Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh.

Founded by Rudra Pratap Singh, a Bundela chief, in 1501 AD, Orchha’s prime attraction is the Orchha Fort which was built by Rudra Pratap. The fort has many connected buildings which were built during the rule of different ones. Two of the most well known of these are the Jahagir Mahal and Raj Mandir.

Rudra Pratap is said to have perished while saving a cow from a lion, but these claims remain unverified. After him many Bundela rulers ruled the region for most part of the 17th century. One of the most influential successors of Rudra Pratap was Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo. He is credited with building the Jehangir Mahal.

The Bundela rulers constructed many temples and palaces during their reign, and most of them are in unspoilt condition till date. Two of the well known temples of the town are the Chatur Bhuj temple and the Raj Mandir. The Chatur Bhuj temple was built by the Queen of Orchha.

The name Orchha is said to be derived from a sneering remark which was made by a Rajput chief when he visited the place. Literally, the word translates to ‘hidden.’ The town has a small population of 8499 people, with the majority being male.

This region experiences a temperate climate, with the summer months of April to August being not too hot and the winter months of December to February being not too cold. The months of October to March are said to be the best time to visit Orchha.

Orchha, being a small town, is not very well connected. It does not have a railway station or an airport. The nearest railway station to the place is at Jhansi, which is 18 km away. Buses and taxis are the only means of reaching this small town in the once princely state of Madhya Pradesh.