Chandan Katora, Phool Bagh, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Orchha is a center of special attraction and tourism for architecture lovers, nature lovers, interested in history, Ram devotees etc. Some places are such that tourists do not understand their importance, the reason being the lack of rare information which is the responsibility of the Archaeological Department. Chandan Katora is one such center of attraction which is located in Phool Bagh.
The Chandan Katora is a major tourists attraction situated in Phool Bagh. This bowl appears to be made of a single stone rock. This is a huge stone bowl and on the outer surface of which similar flower petals or leaves have been engraved. According to the popular legend sandalwood was mixed in it to apply Tilak a blessing mark on the foreheads of the soldiers going to war. But its featured attraction is its metallic sounds despite it was carved out from the stone. People pelted a lot of stones in it to hear the sound like metal, due to which one side of it cracked, so now it is surrounded by mesh from all sides. Infact it was the part of the cooling system as a fountain which was linked to Sawan Bhadon towers, aqueducts and an underground reservoir and was placed in the hall which is built above the underground summer retreat. Water from an underground reservoir was pumped into this, from where water showers on the roof of the retreat to cool the basement by this fountain.
It is indeed a wonderful work of art that we all have the responsibility to preserve.
