| Orchha's
fort complex, the entrance of which is a multi-arched bridge, has three impressive
palaces placed in an open quadrangle. The first of these is the Jehangir Mahal,
built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo in the 17th century, to mark the occasion of Emperor
Jehangir's visit to the city. Fragile chhatries, and ornate trellis work heighten
the effect of artistic richness. The Raj Mahal was built by Madhukar Shah, the
religious predecessor of Bir Singh Ju Deo. A trail through the network of stairways,
leading to the turrets, is an amazing experience. The interiors boast of intricate
murals, depicting various religious themes. The Rai Praveen Mahal was
built for the famous musician-poetess paramour of King Indramani, Rai Praveen,
as a mark of admiration by Emperor Akbar. This was the result of his being touched
by the intense purity of her ardour for Indramani. The Ram Raja temple
is one of the famous temples in Orchha. This palace - turned - temple has an intriguing
legend attached to it, according to which Lord Ram came in, the then ruler Madhukar
Shah's dream, following which he brought a statue of the god, from Ayodhya to
his capital. Prior to its installation in a temple, the idol was kept in a palace.
Subsequently, the idol refused to move and the king recalled the god's edict,
that the idol would remain in the place, where it was first placed. This temple
is, therefore, the only one of its kind, where Ram is worshipped as a king. The
Chaturbhuj temple was the original destination of the image, that went
on to remain in the Ram Raja temple. Lotus emblems and other religious symbols
dress the exterior of the temple, while the sanctum is starkly plain, which only
serves to emphasize its sanctity. The Laxminarayan temple sports an interesting
fusion of fort and temple architecture. The interiors contain the most exquisite
of Orchha's wall paintings. These murals deal with a plethora of themes, specifically
spiritual and secular. Though centuries have elapsed since their conception, the
paintings have retained their original vibrant quality. Orchha
also prides itself on its lovely garden, Phool Bagh, which testifies to
the fine aesthetic sensibility of the Bundelas. A central row of fountains culminates
in an eight - pillared palace -cum - pavilion. A subterranean structure, below,
functioned as the pleasant summer hideout of the Orchha kings. An ingenious system
of water ventilation linked the underground retreat with Chandan Katora, a bowl-shaped
structure, from whose fountains, drops of water filtered through to the roof,
giving the appearance of rainfall. There are 14 cenotaphs or chhatries to the
rulers of Orchha, across the Kanchana Ghat of the Betwa river. The Shahid Smarak
commemorates the great freedom fighter, Chandrashekhar Azad who lived and worked
in hiding in Orchha, during 1926 and 1927. Other highlights of Orchha
are the shrines of Siddh Baba ka Sthan, Jugal Kishore, the Janki Mandir
and the Hanuman Mandir at Ohharedwara. |