With ancient relics and soaring temples, this sleepy village in Madhya Pradesh’s Tikamgarh district looks like it should be the film set for an Indiana Jones box office hit. Its glorious past might be crumbling, but it’s all there, surrounded by lush jungle and rolling hills. A walk amongst the old palaces perched on the banks of the boulder-strewn Betwa River is quite extraordinary.
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Orchha was once an important and thriving city and dedicated capital of the Bundhela Kingdom between 1531 and 1783. Nowadays, it is a small village with an array of old temples and palaces to wander through and truly beautiful, natural surroundings. Visit the imposing fort built in the 17th century, the Chaturbhak Temple that sits on a broad stone platform, and the palace that sits on an island, accessible by a causeway. Plenty of cenotaphs can be found scattered throughout the landscape, making Orchha a fascinating place to explore at your leisure.
Tarragram Paper Plant is not far away from Orchha’s town centre, established to assist local tribal women and definitely worth a visit. All paper produced here is made from recycled wood pulp and textiles. Additionally, the puja ceremony at the Ram Raja Temple takes place in the evenings and is a must-see.
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