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The Hidden Beauty of  Orchha 

The very word “Orchha” means “hidden” and, verily, the small town of Orchha in Madhya Pradesh (India) stands for it.  It is a hidden archaeological legacy of medieval India, it is a hidden ‘throb’ of romance and emotional rupture, it is a hidden face of history, a hidden treasure of spiritual tranquility, a hidden poetry written on stones!  Hidden .. because very few tourists traveling to India are troubled to visit such small places as Orchha.  But really if you are the one who is not swayed away by the urbane dazzling of Agra, Mumbai, Delhi, Varanasi, Manali, Goa and other similar sorts of hi-fi tourist places and if you are the one who is endowed with inner aesthetic sense, you must come to Orchha and experience its melodious lull and transcendence. 

The Legacy of Bundelas - 'The Blood Givers'

Blood, war and sacrifice are the keywords to describe the Rajput Bundela dynasty that ruled over Orchha for over two centuries beginning from 1531 A.D..  This developed as a stronghold of Rajput power in India and as a symbol of love and valor.  It is said that there was a Rajput prince who intended to offer himself as a sacrifice to Vindhyavasini – the goddess of the Vindhya hills.  The goddess was glad with his devotional attitude and named him 'Bundela' which means “the offerer of the drops (of blood)”.  However true or untrue this story be, it is true that ‘sacrifice’ is the very essence of a Bundela life and the Rajput history of India amply testifies this fact. Orchha has witnessed lots of ups and downs of time.  Up to 18^th Century it was a powerful Rajput kingdom.  The notable king of Bundela dynasty, Bir Singh Ju Deo was a favored commander of Jehangir, the Mughal Emperor, and Jehangir’s regime (1605-1627) proved to be the golden age of Orchha.  But neither Shah Jehan (the successor of Jehangir) nor Aurangzeb could cast that very glance of love and justice for which Jehangir is known in history.  They invaded Orchha almost ruining this beautiful Bundela kingdom. 

Scenic Spots on the Banks of Betwa

Orchha is believed to be founded in the 16^th century by a Bundela Rajput chief named Rudra Pratap.  The beautiful stretch of Betwa river gave this place an added beauty and value as the capital of the Bundelas, the dynasty which gave India a number of worthy rulers the most notable among them being Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo.  A number of beautiful temples and “Chhatris” are built on the bank of this serene river and whether in the crimson light of dawn or in the dusky twilight, it is great to see their reflection in the river water.  There are altogether 14 chhatris arrayed on the banks of this historical river and their images in the river – best viewed from a nearby bridge – imprint a lingering impact on every visitor.  Most of the ‘chhatris’ bear a Mughal style of architecture except for the famous Chhatri of Madhukar Shah. 

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