Offbeat India: Orchha, Madhya Pradesh travel guide

How to reach 

✈️Flight

Nearest airport is Gwalior airport (121km/2.5 hrs) Taxi charges around INR 3000

Gwalior airport entry

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Gwalior domestic airport

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🚄Train

Nearest railhead: Jhansi (18 km/ 1 hr) is linked to many cities. 

Jhansi railway station

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Jhansi railway station

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🚗Road

The National highway 2,3 and 75 are the highways that connect Orchha to Delhi, Gwalior and Jhansi.

Best time to visit

Winter months of September to February when the weather is pleasant.

Two-day itinerary 

Day 1: Visit the monuments and temples

Orchha is a small town which can be explored by renting a bicycle. You can rent a bicycle by contacting Orchha cycling Adventures (contact no 9131150200) and even go on a guided heritage tour with them.

It is best to visit Orchha fort and Chaturbhuj temple at morning 8 am to avoid the tourist crowds.

Orchha Fort

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The fort complex consists of Raja Rani Palace, Jehangir Palace and Parveen Rai palace. The fort and other structures within it were built by the Bundela Rajputs starting from the early 16th century by King Rudra Pratap Singh of the Orchha State and others who followed him.

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Chaturbhuj Temple

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Built in 875 AD during the reign of Gurjara Pratihara dynasty, this famous temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The name literally means the one with four arms, and Lord Vishnu has been referred as Chaturbhuj in various Hindu texts

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Shri Ram Raja Mandir

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this beautiful Ram temple has an intriguing history behind it. The Idols which were supposed to be installed in the magnificent Chaturbhuj Temple were kept on the ground where this temple now stands. But once kept on the ground, the idols could not be budged. This marked the place holy and a temple was constructed where the idols were kept. Ram Raja Temple has a serene architecture, adorned with a marble courtyard and colourful walls.

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CENOTAPHS ORCHHA

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Situated on the banks of Betwa river, the royal cenotaphs are a set of magnificent royal tombs of the Bundela kings placed on a platform and supported by the pillars. Located in a tranquil setting, it offers beautiful views of river Betwa.

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Rai Praveen Mahal, Orchha

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Near Orchha fort complex is another structure known as Rai Praveen Mahal. It was built by Prince Indrajit Singh in the honor of a famous dancer of his court, Rai Praveen.

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Laxmi Temple Orchha

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Built by Bir Singh in 1622 the Lakshminarayan Temple is an interesting mix of temple and fort architecture, with battlements on top. There are galleries around the inner walls of the temple and an open courtyard at the center. The temple houses stunning murals which depict mythological, spiritual and secular themes(an art lover's delight) and also a lot of post-mutiny paintings

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Sound and Light show:

Office Sound & Light Show Orchha

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After an exhausting day full of exploration you can enjoy the light and sound show in evening at the fort complex. Enthused with amazing sound and breathtaking effects, the Sound and light show is something you must not miss when in Orchha. It takes place from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm in English and from 8:45 pm to 9:45 pm in Hindi. It covers the history of Orchha and its glory in an interesting audio-visual medium.

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Day 2: Enjoy adventure activities

After a full day exploring the heritage of Orchha head out next day to enjoy the thrilling adventure activities Orchha has to offer. You can go kayaking in river Betwa with Ramraja adventures (contact no +917509309806) which is the best outdoor adventure organizer. 

You can also go cycling early morning with Orchha cycle adventures inside the Orchha wildlife sanctuary.

In the evening watch sunset near the royal cenotaphs surrounded by the serenity this small town has to offer.

Betwa River View

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The River Betwa, flowing through the heritage town of Orchha, adds a scenic feather to the places to visit in Orchha. The river has a lot to offer to tourists visiting the heritage town of Orchha and its surrounding places. Apart from the majestic sunset views overlooking the river, it offers water adventure activities such as sailing, river rafting, and kayaking. After an exhaustive trip down the heritage lane in the town of Orchha, visit this place to experience tranquility as the cool breeze brings with it the vibes of victory and freedom.

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Orchha Sanctuary

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This 12km long nature trail in the Orchha Natural Reserve can be a beautifully enriching experience. This is part of a beautiful river island spread across 44 sq km surrounded by Jamni river and Betwa river. One needs to buy a ticket from the office of the Reserve between 8am-6pm and the entry costs are very low. The trail is well-marked, and signposts are regularly posted. Its also a good place to just cycle around. One can also spot few monkeys, peacocks and even deers in this area.

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Places to stay

In Orchha you need a place to stay which is close to all the temples, monuments, forts and river Betwa from where you can easily explore the whole town.

Affordable:

Hotel Sunset

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Set in Orchha, 20 km from Jhansi Railway Station, Sunset Backpackers Hostel offers accommodation with a shared lounge, free private parking and a terrace. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and free WiFi throughout the property.

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Mid-range:

MPT Betwa Retreat, Orchha

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MPT Betwa Retreat, Orchha is a great choice for travellers looking for a star hotel in Orchha. This Hotel stands out as one of the highly recommended hotel in Orchha. Hotel is rated 4.5 out of 5, which is considered as very good.

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Luxury:

MPT Sheesh Mahal, Orchha

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Adjacent to Orchha fort complex, this heritage gem is favored by both domestic and international tourists. Indulge in the luxurious Maharaja and Maharani suites, along with four heritage rooms adorned in traditional Bundeli style. You can also attend the sound and light show in the evening by purchasing ticket at the hotel itself

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Also have a look at my 7-day Madhya Pradesh travel itinerary

Ishita Khemariya

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7 days travel itinerary | Madhya Pradesh India

Madhya Pradesh is my home state, and I have travelled to almost every part of this state called the heart of India. In this comprehensive travel guide, I have combined my years of experience, research and planning to make this well curated itinerary on this large central Indian state. This guide includes: 📍places to visit ⌛best time to visit ✈️how to reach 🛺getting around 🧳7 days travel itinerary 🏨stay options 🍽️best restaurants (personal recommendations) If you are looking for an offbeat travel experience in India look no further. This itinerary which is made from my own travel experience will cover every famous destination and hidden gems of this central Indian state!

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Itinerary

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-Ishita