Maharaja Indramani’s Cenotaph, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Along with highlighting the historical Chhatris located in Orchha, one of my objectives is also to present a brief introduction of the kings to whom these Chhatris were dedicated.
Due to the childless death of Maharaja Sujan Singh, his younger brother Indramani ascended the throne of Orchha. This cenotaph was built by Maharaja Jaswant Singh who ruled Orchha from AD 1675 to 1684 A.D. as he was the son and successor of Maharaja Indramani whose reign was from 1672 A.D. to 1675 A.D.
Located on the south-west corner of the enclosed premise. This chhatri has a structure of a corridor around a square sanctum, with three arched doors on each side. The sanctum sanctorum is of Sarvatobhadra style, with entrance doors on all four sides. A similar structure is also present on the first and second floors. There is a structure of domes over the small chamber built on the four corners of the central Nagara style shikhara. The huge Nagara Shikhar and the domes all around are of Panchayat style. The niches built on the outside, arched doors, Padma means lotus ornamentation, Ghatapallaav, lotus kalash and other ornamental works etc. indicate the zenith of Bundela architectural style in the 17th century.