Orchha
: Places to See
Raj Mahal : Situated to the right of the quardrangle, 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 colourful, on a veriety or religious themes.
Jehangir Mahal : Built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo in the 17th century to
commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Rochha. Its strong lines are counterbalanced
by delicate chhatries and treillies work, the whole conveying an effect of extraordinary
richness.
Raj Praveen Mahal : Poetess and musician, Rai Prqveen was the beautiful
paramour of Raja Indramani (1672-76), and was sent to Delhi on the orders of
Emperor Akbar, who was captivated by her. She so impressed the Great Mughal
with the purity of her love for indramani that he sent her back to Orchha. The
palace built for her is a low, tow-storeyed brick structure, designed to match
the height of the trees in the surrounding, beautifully landscaped gardens of
Anand Mahal, with its octagonal flower beds and elaborate water supply system.
Sklfully carved niches allow light into the Mahal which has a main hall and
smaller chambers.
Ram Raja Temple : This palace-turned-turned-temple has a charming legend
attached to it. Following the dream visitation of Lord Rama, Madhukar Shah's
wife, Ganesh Kuanwari brought a statue of the god from Ayodhya to Orchha. While
the king was a worshipper of Lord Krishna, the queen was a devotee of Lord Rama.
The image was placed in a palace prior to its installation in a temple. When
the idol proved impossible to move, the queen recalled, too late, the deity's
edict that the image would remain in the place where it was first installed.
Today, with its soaring spires and palatial architecture, the temple is surely
one of the most unusual in India. It is also the only in the country where Rama
is worshipped as a king (Raja).
More Orchha : Places
to See
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