About
Orchha is a place nothing short of a fairyland. It appears to have lost track of time and remains an evergreen glorious capital of the Bundela Rajput kings. Orchha is a small town in the district of Tikamgarh in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Orchha means 'hidden' in the local Bundelkhandi language. The terminology is appropriate during the rule of the Bundelas as it was covered all around by thick forests. Today's Orchha reflects the old glory and magnificence of the powerful Bundelas.
Orchha is known as a tourist hub and is considered one of the best places to visit in Madhya Pradesh. Orchha lies on the banks of the River Betwa and is 80 km from Tikamgarh which lies in the extreme north of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. The historic city of Jhansi is around 15 km from Orchha. Some other major cities and towns surrounding Orchha are Baragaon, Khailar, Simra, Barwa Saga, Bijoli, Hansari Gird and Pirthipur. Placed quaintly in the countryside of Bundelkhand, this cozy little town is also blessed with appalling natural beauty.
The magnificent forts, royal palaces, enchanting temples and the chhatris symbolize the grandeur of Orchha. Besides, you also get to see the world renowned mural paintings of Orchha.
History
The remains from historic periods still exist around the town lending a heavy feel to the atmosphere laden with an acute heritage feel. The splendor of the bygone gone era beckons tourists to visit and soak in the charm of the place. The town has deep roots embedded in the medieval times. Earlier it was famous as an erstwhile princely state. class="content_headingmid">Accommodation
Finding accommodation in Orchha is easy. Although it is a small town compared to nearby Gwalior or Jhansi, you can still find quality hotels, guest houses, resorts and heritage hotels. Those who do not want to spend more can avail budget hotels in Orchha. The budget hotels located in a quieter part of the town offer clean rooms, hot water facility, small garden etc. at nominal rates of Rs. 100 to Rs. 700 approximately.
Mid range hotels cost Rs. 700 to Rs. 1,000 approximately. Hotel Fort View is a great hotel that provides great views of Orchha. Orchha Homestay is another hotel within the same bracket where accommodation is available for Rs. 650 a night.
Luxury hotels like Sheesh Mahal are situated right in the palace and can be termed as heritage hotels. The Betwa retreat is located on the banks of the majestic Betwa River and is a picturesque hotel where you will love the scenic natural beauty. Here you can opt for regular room or Swiss tents. Amar Mahal is at the south end of the town, on top of a small hill from where you can watch the cenotaphs on the river. Deluxe hotels charge from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 5,000 approximately for each night's accommodation.
Eating out
Orchha has various types of street restaurants that you will love. They are located at the entrance to the palaces and are inexpensive. Here you get to taste the local food consisting both Asian and western cuisines.
Some of the prominent restaurants in Orchha are:
1. Didi's Cafe is a nice place for visitors. One can relax for hours reading books and drinking coffee. An Irish couple runs this coffeehouse, where they serve only western food like cakes, chocolate, cheesecakes and Banoffie pie. The cafe is near the Ganpati Hotel on the main road. It is open from 8 A.M to 6 P.M.
2. Khajuraho food provides tasty and cheap food. Here you can even learn to prepare the dish you like. The place is situated near Blue sky restaurant on the main road.
3. Krishna Palace is located between Ganpati hotel and the Fort view guesthouse on the main road. The restaurant is open from 7.30 A.M to 10.30 P.M. You can taste some of the finest ethnic cuisines here along with continental and Chinese. The prices are quite reasonable and the service is impeccable.
Economy
Orchha is a small town and you cannot expect a large economy here. However, the people of this small town are great craftsmen. The government has taken initiatives to help them with their income and give recognition of their skills. TARA is a stepping stone to provide technology for rural advancement. The handmade paper plant here is famous, which is why the local population here makes unique handmade paper and paper artifacts of beautiful texture and colour. The plant where handmade paper is created is very popular and has provided jobs to many inhabitants of Orchha.
Tourism is very popular here and the town earns mainly through tourism. The place is slowly but steadily improving to give more scope for tourism. The youth are finding jobs in the tourism sector that are providing them a steady income.
Culture and language
The culture of Orchha reflects the era of the Bundelkhand kings. The culture is captivating and very rich in texture. The locals here still follow the customs that was practiced during the Bundela rule. The festivals celebrated here are the same as other places in Madhya Pradesh. Dussehra, Ram Navami and Diwali are the major festivals here. On Ram Navami the temples are decorated with coloured paper, lights and flowers. Cultural programs are held during Dussehra and the burning of Ravana effigies takes place.
The main language spoken by the locals is Hindi. Marathi and Gujarati are other languages that are also spoken. English is spoken only by the educated people. Bundelkhandi is another language that is spoken by a particular section of people.
Transport
Roads: Getting around in Orchha is not a problem. Tourists can rent taxis or cycle rickshaws that are common modes of transport here. Cycle rickshaws are cheap and very popular. It is a small town, so if you feel like it, the town can be explored on foot as well.
Airport: There is no airport in Orchha however, one can fly to the Gwalior airport and then travel to Orchha. One can easily reach Gwalior from different parts of the country. Orchha is around 120 km or around 2 hours drive from Gwalior airport. Railways: The easiest way to reach Orchha is by train. One can take a train to Jhansi- the nearest major railway station which is around 16 kilometers from Orchha. The railway lines are well connected to all major cities of India. Important express and mail trains stop by Jhansi en route to cities like Agra, Bhopal and New Delhi.
Government and Politics
Orchha is a tehsil in the district of Tikamgarh. All the administrative work of the town is looked after by the Nagar Panchayat. Eligible persons work in the Panchayat to look after the development of Orchha. Roads, water supply and sanitation are some of the sectors that are handled by the Nagar Panchayat.
Last Updated on : 14/09/2013
