Orcha
This agglomeration was at the XVIIème century the capital of a State created by Bir Singh Deo, with the protection of the Moghols emperors of Delhi, until the moment when Aurangzeb relieved it. Period ostentation of this kingdom insulated in the grounds from this area from Bundelkhand, remain of the fortresses out of time, the palates, the mausoleums and the temples. But, nowadays, Orchha is nothing any more but one large village very attended, although in a too fast way, by many tourists in way towards Khajuraho.
Two close palates occupy the top of a hill dominating the village:
The Palate of Jahangir (Jahangir Mahal) dating from the beginning of the 17 2nd century, built by the local king to receive the Jahangir emperor, is most elegant. The southern door, framed stone elephants, is impressive. By narrow staircases, one climbing stages; terraces, there are good sights on the surroundings.
The Royal Palate (Rajah Mahal) where especially splendid royal rooms, decorated are visited murals, with the still fresh colours, describing mythological scenes. One will accèdera with a series of photographs of these murals while clicking on the arrow below
Although passably dilapidated, these palates allure by the width of their architecture full with imagination: high towers, run suspended, galleries and rooms with decorative niches, roofs of kiosks and houses. Their style holds at the same time of art moghol, of the taste of the princes rajpoutes and the aesthetic traditions of Bundel Khand (Khajuraho).
At the exit of
the village, close to the Betwa river, tributary of Yamuna, the monuments
commemorative (cenotaphs = chhattri) of the sovereigns of formerly are gathered.
They are not visited but the overall picture is worth of going to see them
closely (one sees them by far, since the Palates), although a hotel of luxury
wastes from now on the site. In the center of the village, one will visit
the temple of Chaturbhuj Mandir (to mandir = temple), dedicated to the Vishnu
god. From its massive silhouette, the very high conical tower is released
(will shikhara). The interior is worth the visit only to realize of the proportions
and the curious cruciform plan of the building.
Near to Chaturbhuj Mandir, the temple of Rowed is an old palate reconverted in temple following a prophecy. Every evening, the statue of the god receives the homage of faithful and visitors. Single fact in India, a soldier remains with guard-with you owe the statue of Rowed during all the time of the ceremony.
The visitors who have a little time will not fail to go to visit the temple of Laxminarayana which is to one km of the village on a small hill from where one enjoys a complete sight on the village, the chhattri, the palates. Dating from the 17 2nd century, this monument presents an appearance of fortress. The sanctuary is located, in an unusual way, in the center of the court. The peripheral galleries are decorated paintings in the ochre and black tone illustrating mythological épopées, warlike episodes, etc.