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From [wiki=8d1fdd7dcc6f2309cd15746f7e7b16d6]Agra[/wiki]/[wiki=9baaebe1759ba1a6365a2b0539081516]Delhi[/wiki]/[wiki=380881c53a8827af022e6f21423235fa]Gwalior[/wiki]: Take a train to [wiki=371a58f1ac48e0601a14b08e6b36f30e]Jhansi[/wiki] station, and then you have two options. The easier but more expensive option is you can hire a car or auto-rickshaw to Orchha which is 15KM away. By auto-rickshaw, it takes about 40 minutes; by car, 20 minutes. The listed price at the pre-paid taxi stand was 200 rupees, however, you'll have to negotiate the price with the driver that you take. A cheaper way is to pile into one of the auto-rickshaws outside the train station which serve as a bus shuttle-- see if it's going to the bus station, which should only cost 10 rupees this way. From the bus station there are other shuttle auto-rickshaws that head to Orchha for 20 rupees per person, though you might have to wait a few minutes till it leaves; they only go when full.
You can reach Orchha while returning to [wiki=371a58f1ac48e0601a14b08e6b36f30e]Jhansi[/wiki] from [wiki=fbace184aff8a3abcbcd8f782093cb89]Khajuraho[/wiki], as a detour. While coming to Jhansi from Khajuraho, when you reach on the outskirts of Jhansi city, take left on the Orchha Tigaila(triangle). That road will lead to Orchha.
There is a small railway station at Orchha in which only very few trains stop. Jhansi - Khajuraho Passenger(229A) has stoppage at Orchha. Khajuraho - Jhansi passenger (230A) reaches Orchha by 4:45Pm. Orchha railway station is 5Kms away from Orchha town and is about an hours brisk wait. Go North and out of town and continue straight until you cross the train track and its right on the left. Hire a rickshaw and pay Rs. 50 max to get to Orchha train station.
To go Khajuraho from Orchha by train. There is a 07.25 passenger train taking 5 hrs. Train 19666, buy a general ticket which is around 35 Rupee. Be careful however as the train may split at a junction station with half the carriages going to Khajuraho and the rest somewhere else. Towards the back of the train should be safe as the train passes the turnoff before it splits and the new train reverses direction.
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The village is small enough that you can walk just about anywhere.
Orchha To Khajuraho around 185Km about 4 hours by taxi.
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Orchha is a tiny farming town dotted with historical sites.
Of note:
* Fort Complex: The fort complex is a great place to visit; hit this first to obtain an all-day ticket good for all the sights in Orchha. Divided into 3 parts, it consists of
** 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 Ju Deo. The plain exteriors, crowned by chhatris, give way to interiors with exquisite murals, boldly colourful on a variety of religious themes. Get a good guide inside here to take you all over the complex, including locked rooms, for a tip.
** Jehangir Mahal: Built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo 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 conveying an effect of extraordinary richness.
** Rai Parveen Mahal: Poetess and musician, Rai Parveen was the beautiful paramour of Raja Indramani (1672- 76) and was sent to Delhi on the orders of the Emperor Akbar, who was captivated by her. She so impressed the Great Mughal with the purity of her love for Indramani that he sent her back to Orchha.
* Ram Raja temple (closed during the afternoon): This is the center around which the life of Orchha revolves. The presiding Deity here is Lord Ram. The idols were meant to be installed in the magnificent Chaturbhuj temple, but when the idols, once kept on the ground(where they are today), refused to move. So a makeshift temple was built around it and is known as Ram Raja temple. It has an excellent courtyard, tiled with marble and the temple in pink and yellow colors, gives a bright look. No cameras or bags allowed inside.
*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. Within, the sanctum is chastely plain with high, vaulted walls emphasizing its deep sanctity. Find the hidden stairs to the roof for a view of the entire area. The young keyholder will unlock the door to the hidden stairs and take you up for some money and show you around which he supposed to do for free.
* 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 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 palace-pavilion. 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 bowl-like structure from whose fountains droplets of water filtered through to the roof, simulating rainfall.
* 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.
* Cenotaphs: There are 14 Chhatris or Memorials to the rulers of Orchha, grouped along the Kanchan Ghat of the river Betwa on the south end of town. You can climb up to the roof for views of the river.
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A very small market starting from the main crossroads in front of the Ram Raja temple, coming towards the temple compound, is full of small shops selling souvenirs, handicrafts, beaded chains, gemstones, and other such items. If you are good at bargaining, you can enjoy the shopping here.
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There are a number of small quaint street restaurants near the entrance to the palaces, serving inexpensive Indian, Asian and assorted "Western" cuisine.
*Formerly ran by Irish 'Didi' and her Indian husband, Loyal. Now under new management and called Grace restaurant.Same Location same menu. This is a great place to relax, read books and drink strong coffee. Only serves Western food and snacks, but also does pasta occasionally.
*Good, cheap food prepared by an adorable Indian woman named Puja and served by her friendly, talkative husband, Nayek. They also offer cooking classes: you choose what you want to learn from the menu, they take you to the kitchen and show you how to prepare it, and then you get to eat the final product. Even better, you pay what you think the cooking lesson was worth (plus the cost of the meal).
*Restaurant with a beautiful view of the palace. You can enjoy tasty Indian, Chinese and Continental food. The dishes are prepared with fresh market produce. The menu offers many choices at attractive prices. But this place is primarily a meeting place and you will be warmly welcomed by Ravi.
*Hours:7AM-11PM serving breakfast,lunch,& dinner. Delicious Italian, Chinese, Indian, and local traditional specialities from Orchha. Italian espresso, beer, and fresh fruit juices also available. Nice rooftop, palace view location.
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Orchha does not have a wine shop, and the closest one is 8km down the road. You'll pass it if you drive in from Jhansi. Some restaurants will sell beer for Rs.180, but there are no bars or private pubs. If you stay at the pricier accommodations suggested here, you'll also have an attached bar option.
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Budget
So so rooms, courtyard. Free bucket of hot water. Family guesthouse with friendly staff.Could be better
* Cosy and clean rooms in familiar environment. The owner, Vinod, and his wife are very friendly and helpful, can arrange delicious homemade meals by a fair price. Hot water and decent wifi. The highlight here is a beautiful view of the Fort on the back of the property, where you can eat or chill enjoying the scenery.
* Newly opened in a more quiet part of the village. Offers 6 rooms, partially still under construction. Hot water in all rooms. Free WiFi "to be installed" (Jan 2012).
* "Orchha Home Stay" - Friends of Orchha - Lakshmi Mandir Road | Ganj Mohalla, Orchha 472246, India. A new enterprise where you stay with local families, getting some rave reviews and for the price seems the best option around. Families purchase of home through the charitable organization and then a portion of the loan is repaid via providing tourist accommodation. The families can also provide meals although it will take some coaxing to dine with the family rather than eating alone. Longer stays are also available and it's possible to assist with Friends of Orchha as a teacher or elsewhere in the community. [http://www.orchha.org/]
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Mid-range
Situated in the palace, it is a beautifully designed hotel set in pristine heritage.
* A resort located on the banks of the picturesque Betwa River, it has host of options like regular rooms and adventurous swiss tents.
* Amar Mahal is on a small hill just a stones throw away from the impressive cenotaphs on the Betwa river. The hotel is built and decorated in the traditional Bundelkhand architectural style. The strategic location ensures panoramic views of the monuments and the surrounding hills and forests. Almost every room has a view of some important monument. Amar Mahal has 46 rooms in total which include three categories, Deluxe, Super Deluxe and Suite
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Jhansi - You can get an auto rickshaw driver to take you to Jhansi for around Rs.120, or tell them you want to share the rickshaw (meaning you wait for it to be filled with 8-13 more people) and pay Rs.15 total.
*Khajuraho - The only train to Khajuraho leaves Orchh train station at 7:25 am every day. It's a local train and makes many stops. The trip takes around 5 1/2 hours and is generally not very crowded; you can safely buy a ticket a half-hour before the train arrives and be assured of getting a seat Reaching the Orchha train station costs between Rs.10-20 in a shared rickshaw which can be found near the bus station.
A round trip to Khajuraho by taxi can be arranged at any of the travel agencies for around Rs.2000.
*Pranpur [http://indiauntravelled.com/pranpur.html]. - Located 60 km from Orchha. A good place to buy Chanderi Silk Saris directly from the weavers at affordable prices. Accommodation is provided at the Amraee Guest House, run by the village tourism committee. Weaving & craft workshops can be arranged on prior notice. Advance booking is required & can be made at +91 8527 141 626.
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