General Information / History
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. 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.

Sightseeing

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.

Shahid Smarak
Commemorates the great freedom fighter Chandrashekhar Azad who lived and worked in hiding on Orchha during 1926 and 27.

Laxminarayan Temple
The style is an interesting synthesis of fort and temple moulds. The interiors contains the most exquisite or 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 an excellent state of preservation, with the colours retaining their vivid quality.

Ram Raja Temple
This palace-turned-turned-temple has a charming legend attached to it. Following the dream visitation of Lord Rama, Madhukar Shah's wife, Ganesh Kuanwari brought a statue of the god from Ayodhya to Orchha. While the king was a worshipper of Lord Krishna, the queen was a devotee of Lord Rama. The image was placed in a palace prior to its installation in a temple. When the idol proved impossible to move, the queen recalled, too late, the deity's edict that the image would remain in the place where it was first installed. Today, with its soaring spires and palatial architecture, the temple is surely one of the most unusual in India. It is also the only in the country where Rama is worshipped as a king (Raja).

Chaturbhuj Temple
Built upon a massive stone plat form and reached by a steep flight of steps, the temple was specially constructed to enshrine the image of Prakash that remained in the Prakash 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 emphassing its deep sanctity.

Excursions: Jhansi, Khajuraho, Gwalior.