Orchha is literally grandeur captured in stone and frozen in time. On this medieval city, the hand of time rests lightly and the palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their pristine perfection to this day.
Orchha, in Madhya Pradesh, was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput chieftain, Rudra Pratap, who chose this stretch of land along the Betwa river to build his capital. Of the succeeding rulers, the most notable was Raja Bir Singh Judeo who built the exquisite Jehangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatris.

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

The origins of the Bundela dynasty in the 11th century can be traced to a Rajput prince who offered himself as a sacrifice to the mountain goddess Vrindavasini; she stopped him and named him 'Bundela' (one who offered blood).

Garhkurar, once capital of the Bundelas, fell to the Tughluqs just as the dynasty was weakening. However, into the vacuum that the Tughluqs left subsequently, the Bundelas again expanded, moving their base to Orchha (“hidden”).

Raja Rudra Pratap threw a wall around the existing settlement and began work on the palace building (circa1525-31) and an arched bridge to it. This was completed by his successor Bharti Chand (1531-54), who was installed in the Raj Mahal with great ceremony.

Major attractions

Jehangir Mahal: Built by Raja Bir Singh Judeo in the 17th century to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Orchha. Its strong lines are counterbalanced by delicate chhatris and trellis work, the whole structure conveying an effect of extraordinary richness.

Raj Mahal: Situated to the right of the quadrangle, this palace was built in the 17th century by Madhukar Shah, the deeply religious predecessor of Bir Singh Judeo.


Chaturbhuj Temple: Built upon a massive stone platform and reached by a steep flight of steps, the temple was specially constructed to enshrine the image of Rama that remained in the Ram Raja Temple. Lotus emblems and other symbols of religious significance provide the delicate exterior ornamentation.

Laxminarayan Temple: A flagstone path links this temple with the Ram Raja Temple. The style is an interesting synthesis of fort and temple moulds. The interiors contain the most exquisite of 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.

Phool Bagh: Laid out as a formal garden, this complex testifies to the refined aesthetic qualities of the Bundelas. A central row of fountains culminates in an eight pillared palacepavilion. A subterranean structure below was the cool summer retreat of the Orchha kings. An ingenious system of water ventilation connects the underground palace with Chandan Katora, a bowlike structure from whose fountains droplets of water filtered through to the roof, simulating rainfall.

Tourist Information

How to reach:

• By Air: Gwalior is the nearest airport (119 km) that is connected with Delhi, Bhopal, Indore and Mumbai.

• By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Jhansi, which is at 16 km from Orchha.

• By Road: Bus services are available, which connects with Jhansi. Tempos and taxis are other mode of transport.

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