ORCHHA, MADHYA PRADESH
This ancient capital is just 15 km from Jhansi, but is light years away from its hustle-bustle and commotion. Along with Mandu and Khajuraho, it forms a trinity of medieval architecture that Madhya Pradesh is immensely proud of. Curious about a shaded right turn leading off the Jhansi-Khajuraho road, I turned there and it led me straight into this fortress town seven km down that narrow road. Orchha literally stands in the middle of nowhere. Half a century ago, the Bundelas too discovered Orchha quite by accident. Standing close to the Betwa River today, a visitor gets the first glimpse of the grandeur that was Orchha. Upstream spires and towers of ancient temples and palaces dominate the skyline of the town. Orchha is a wonderful place to visit, a township that can be described as an expensive mistake which the Bundelas indulged in with splendid monuments and grand architecture only to realise later that it was in the middle of nowhere.
Want to go?
The closest town is Jhansi. It is worth clubbing Orchha with a visit to Khajuraho as it on the way to Khajuraho. Ideal time to go would be anytime but summer. After the rains is a good time as the monuments and palaces get their annual wash. Good stay option is The Bundelkhand Riverside Retreat (www.bundelkhandriverside.com).