Orcha Temple Madhya Pradesh

Situated on banks of river Betwa. Used to be the capital of the region (Bundelkhand) but now is small village. The palaces are of impressive size and there are plesent views of the countryside from their upper levels. 112km south of Gwalior by car, reach Orchha, founded by Rudra Pratap, a Bundela ruler. The region is situated on the banks of the Betwa River. Later, Orcha was the capital of Bir Singh Deo (1605-1627) who built the Jehangir Mahal to please the Mogul emperor Jehangir. Close-by, near the border of Madhya Pradesh, is Datia, site of the 7-storeyed palace of Bir Singh Deo. The temples and palaces of the Bundela rulers still retain their medieval grandeur.

The palace walls are decorated with colourful frescoes executed in the manner of miniature paintings, and depict scenes from the popular legend of love between Radha and Lord Krishna. Masterpiece conceptions are the Ram Raja Temple, the only temple in India where devotees worship Lord Rama as a king, and Phool Bagh, an artificial cascade. Flight to Bhopal. capital of the province. Orcha's fort complex, approached by a multi-arched bridge, has three palaces set in an open quadrangle

Places to See
Jehangir Mahal
It built by Raja Bir Singh in 17th century to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir. Its strong lines are counterbalanced by delicate Chhatries and trellis work, the whole conveying an effect of extraordinary richness.

Raj Mahal
It is situated to the right of the quadrangle, this palace was built by Madhukar Shah, the deeply religious predecessor of Bir Singh ju Deo. The plain exteriors, crowned by chhatries, give way to interiors with exquisite murals, boldly colorful, on a variety of religious themes.
Rani Praveen Mahal
It is a low, two- storied brick structure, designed to match the height of the trees in the surroundings. The Anand Mahal has beautifully landscaped gardens, with its octagonal flower beds and elaborate water supply system. Skillfully carved niches allow light into the Mahal which has a main hall and smaller chambers.
Ram Raja Temple
This palace turned temple has a charming legend attached to it. Following the dream-visitation of Rama, the pious Madhukar Shah brought a statue of the god from Ayodhya to his capital. Today, with its soaring spires and palatial architecture, the temple is surely one of the most unusual in India. It is also the only one in the country where Rama is worshipped as a king(Raja).
Chaturbhuj Temple
Built upon a massive stone platform and reached by a steep flight of steps, the temple was specially constructed to enshrine the image of Rama that remained in the Rama Raja Temple.
Phool Bagh
It is laid out as a formal garden, testifying to the refined aesthetic qualities of Bundelas. A central row of fountains culminates into an eight-pillared palace-pavilion. A subterranean structure below used to be the summer retreat of Orcha Kings. An ingenious system of water ventilation connected the underground palace with Chandan Katora a bowl like structure from whose fountains droplets of water filtered through the roof, simulating rain-fall.
Laxminarayan Temple
A flagstone path links this temple with the Ram Raja Temple. The style is an interesting synthesis of fort and temple modes. The interiors contain the most exquisite of Orchha's wall paintings.