Orchha Fort - The Hidden Gem of Bundelkhand

[TusharSuradkar]

The Orchha fort complex is one that comes right from the fairy-tales and is full of interesting stories from the past.

The fort has great historical significance especially in the Bundelkhand region and the architecture is admirable.

It is an amazingly beautiful architectural marvel and a standing testimony of the taste in art and architecture of the rulers of Bundelkhand.

These structures are standing tall for all of us to see and admire and a day here is less at times for those who take a keen interest in history

The fort complex is accessible from an arched causeway that leads to a large gateway.

Below is the photo of the main entrance.

Touring this huge fort was a great way to spend a day in Orchha.

It is quite large and does take some time to see it all.

After the entrance is a large quadrangular open yard surrounded by palaces.

The main attraction is the Jahangir Mahal which is grand and awesome and a must-visit for both travel and history buffs.

The below picture is the entrance to the inner main courtyard of the fort.

The fort complex houses a large number of ancient monuments consisting of the fort, palaces, temple, and other edifices.

The ornate walls and ceilings look beautiful even after many hundreds of years of construction.

These are Raja Mahal or Raja Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, temples, gardens, and pavilions.

Below is the photo of the magnificent entrance of one such temple in the fort complex.

Travel Tips - How to Reach

1. The Orchha fort complex is located in the Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh near the town of Orchha.
2. Nearest Airport to Orchha is Gwalior Airport.
3. Orchha is 250 km and 4 hours drive from Kanpur Airport which is well connected with other metro cities in India.
4. Orchha Railway station is in the Jhansi-Manikpur section of the North Central Railways 15 km from Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh.
5. Orchha also lies close to another popular tourist destination, Khajuraho.
6. If you wish to visit Orchha from Khajuraho can catch the morning express which leaves at around 8 or 9 AM. Alternatively, you can also avail of the afternoon express which leaves at around 12 or 1 PM. The train journey from Khajuraho is 5 hours and they will ideally have to get off at Jhansi and grab an Auto-Rickshaw or Tuk-Tuk for Orchha (costs INR 400).
7. However, if the train halts at Orchha, you can also get off at the Orchha station and grab an Auto-Rickshaw to the temple complex.

Below is a closeup view of the superb arched entrance.

Monument Tips - What to Expect

1. Good parking is available and also you can take your 4-wheeler or 2-wheeler right up to the top of the fort where there is ample parking available.
2. The fort is in good condition and you get to listen to the interesting stories from the guide that you can hire for just Rs.250.
3. Orchha Fort Timings are 9 AM to 5 PM.
4. Orchha Fort Entrance Fee: INR 10 for Indians, INR 250 for foreigners, INR 25 for a camera, and INR 200 for video.
5. There are many steps to climb so go prepared with plenty of water or energy drink. The view from the top is breathtakingly beautiful.
6. You can see a lot of buildings, especially temples surrounding the fort.

Below is the grand view of the fort from the Chaturbhuj Temple.

My Impressions

1. I found this fort to be really interesting and definitely worth a visit.
2. The Orchha Fort is easily my favorite fort in India, because of its setting in a beautiful landscape at the riverside in a small unknown town in central India.
3. Here I experienced a really special kind of romantic feeling. I am short on words to express it.
4. You really should make the visit, take your time. I stayed for several hours.
5. …and don’t miss the excellent sound and light show.

Accessibility Features for Orchha Fort

Ramp Access.

Wheelchair-accessible Entrance.

Wheelchair-accessible Restroom/Toilet.

Wheelchair-accessible Seating.

Wheelchair-accessible Parking.

Wheelchair-accessible Elevator.

Nearby Attractions

The following world-famous heritage places are within 30 kilometers of the Ekattarso Mahadev Temple:

1. Gwalior Fort
2. Sahastra-Bahu Temple
3. Gopachal Parbat
4. Garhi Padhavali
5. Chaturbhuj Temple
6. Kakanmath Temple
7. Ekkatarso Mahadev Temple
8. Khajuraho Temple

Have you been to any place recently which was grand or majestic? I’d be interested in knowing.
Until then… Happy Guiding ?

[MAHBUB_HYDER]

Hi @TusharSuradkar

So nice travel story of an ancient fort! In detail with well organized post!! I think whole India have more than thousand of ancient fort and palaces! I also visited 15 to to 20 fort and palaces including Taj Mahaal!! Your showing Orchha fort also I think one of the best one, hope I will go one day with you!

[fasi6083]

The ancient architecture never ceases to amaze me, the palace pictures are wonderful, especially the designs on the ceiling which is well preserved by the archaeological department. You mentioned that an additional price should be paid for camera and video, does it apply for cellphone cameras also @TusharSuradkar

[Shrut19]

नमस्कार,

** @TusharSuradkar **दादा,

ओरछा किल्ला - बुंदेलखंडचं खरच लपलेला ठेवा आहे, हे तुझ्या लेखनातून जाणवले, आभार सामाईक केल्याबद्दल…

या माझ्या सहकारी लोकल गाईड यांचेही मत जाणून घेऊया…

** @Mahesh_Dilip_Salvi **

** @SUMEET1 **

** @yagokd **

** @C_T **

** @AjitThite **

** @Anil6969 **

** @NGUDAPE **

** @vijayparadkar **

** @Aditya_Patil **

[AjitThite]

@TusharSuradkar ,

Wonderful photos and a perfect document could be considered as itinerary. It assured me that with this I can have a no-hassle trip here from my home town.

Excellent!

[vijayparadkar]

Hi @TusharSuradkar
Thank you for this beautiful post about Orchha Fort. Yes, the architecture of the fort really looks beautiful through your photos.

I have never been to Madhya Pradesh, but after reading your post I will plan to visit it surely.

Thanks @Shrut19 @ for tagging me

[JSharma]

@TusharSuradkar @rizbab28 good morning. Very nice photos and description.

[TusharSuradkar]

@Wow…! @MAHBUB_HYDER you have visited so many forts in India already.

Which forts were the most memorable ones?

~Greetings from New Delhi

[TusharSuradkar]

Thanks, @fasi6083

Funnily enough, this rule has survived from the dinosaur era when people had film roll cameras and distinct video-shooting equipment.

Later the separation was between pocket-sized digital cameras and tripod-mounted DSLR cameras that were charged separately.

Now, the difference is blurred with mobile cameras capable of doing both photos and videos, but the rule prevails.

Mobile cameras are charged the same as a photo camera.

~Greetings from New Delhi

[C_T]

आश्चर्यकारक छायाचित्रण आणि छानपणे सादर केलेली माहिती @TusharSuradkar
अंतर्भाग चांगला असला तरी, दर्शनी भागावर बिघाड होण्याची चिन्हे मात्र दिसतात.
ती अजूनही खाजगी मालमत्ता आहे की एएसआयने आता ताब्यात घेतली आहे?

[TusharSuradkar]

नमस्कार श्रुती,
अभिप्रायाबद्दल आभारी
ओरछा चा अवधी भाषेत अर्थ ‘लपलेला’ असा होतो त्यामुळे हे नाव अगदी सार्थक आहे.

[TusharSuradkar]

Thanks for the appreciation @AjitThite

BR,
Tushar

[TusharSuradkar]

Hi @vijayparadkar

You should surely explore MP

Distance-wise entire MP is the same distance from both Maharashtra and Delhi but we do not think of MP which is full of amazing places.

~Greetings from New Delhi

[TusharSuradkar]

Good morning @JSharma

Thank you for your appreciation.

Who is rizbab?

Your signature is still not updated?

~Greetings from New Delhi

[BorrisS]

Hello @TusharSuradkar ,

Thank you for sharing these magnificent photos with us! From the architecture, to the ornaments and the colors of the walls, everything is breathtaking.

I have been watching and learning about such locations in India from movies and documentaries, hoping that one day I will get the chance to visit them.

Your detailed description of the area is amazing! Thank you once again and can’t wait to read your next post.

[TusharSuradkar]

अभिप्राय बद्दल आभारी @C_T आणि अतिशय उत्कृष्ट निरीक्षण.
हा किल्ला ASI च्या अखत्यारीत आहे मात्र बाहेरील भाग हा चुन्याचा असल्याने लवकर खराब होतो असे गाईड ने सांगितल्याचे आठवते.
पर्यटक संख्या कमी असल्यामुळे देखील दुर्लक्श ASI करत असावे.

[TusharSuradkar]

Thank you @BorrisS for your comments and your interest in traveling to India.

Discovering the hidden gems in India is a never-ending journey and I had started it in a big way last December until March when it was stopped due to the global crises that reached India as well.

I hope you are able to make a trip to India soon and in the meanwhile, I too will continue to post what I have discovered so far and also begin discovering more soon.
Which Indian movie have you watched recently that you remember influenced your ideas about India?

~Greetings from New Delhi

[Anil6969]

Yes i had been to that its old even today they called raja ram chandra to loard ram RAM available in balya roop child role there thanks for tagging @Shrut19 And @TusharSuradkar For sharing this story reminding

Regards

[BorrisS]

Thank you @TusharSuradkar , and I really hope to visit India one day!

When it comes to films, there are so many! Growing up in Morocco, one cannot escape Indian cinema. From cinema theaters to DVD shops, Indian films are everywhere. Some people even idolize and dress like actors such as Shah Rukh Khan.

Personally, I love the Golden Age of the Indian cinema, with Raj Kapoor, Mahboob Khan and Guru Dutt’s films.

From the more recent ones, I love the way Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ashutosh Gowariker portray Indian buildings, architecture and arts in their films. There is a kind of grandeur in their filming, which I love.

[JSharma]

@TusharSuradkar congratulations on having nice comments from LGs. Really very remarkable storey shown to us of Orchha fort. Yes my signature is not updated till now. I have tried on laptop also. There are some other problems. Rizbab is also a local guide from Gujrat and very interested in tourism. He has also sharing stories of new places.