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Log Eight: Khajuraho - Orchha

Route:
Khajuraho-Chattarpur-Orchha
SH6 (186 kms)

Location:Madhya Pradesh.
Temperatures:
We experienced real hot weather when we drove in and then there were some showers. The rains did cool the place down. .

Accommodation

Best time to visit:
Anytime after the summer. If you are one who likes to avoid the monsoons then plan after September. I quite liked 'Orchha by rain'.

Popular Attraction:
Palaces built during the 15th century.

Internet connectivity:
Not available

We headed out in the morning to
check out the western group of temples, once again.

After taking a quick walk around and soaking in the atmosphere one last time, we headed out towards Orchha

The drive was quite smooth with good roads and pleasant scenery. At the Betwa river we passed our second state border -- the Uttar Pradesh border. To reach Orchha we crossed into UP and then back into Madhya Pradesh. Orchha is nestled in wooded countryside. We stopped off for lunch in Chattarpur, again, at the Hotel Jatashankar Palace.

On the drive to Orchha, we passed a couple of remote, apparently derelict, palaces or mausoleums.
It was too hot and we were too lazy to trek across and investigate.

Orchha is a small village, but like Mandu, it too has an old world charm and is surrounded by history. Located on an island in the Betwa river, this 16th century capital is famous for its magnificent chattris or tombs and monuments. As you drive up the road, into the city, the buildings around give a sense of what it must have been like to be in Orchha a few centuries ago.

The beauty of Orchha, today, is that you are probably looking at a kingdom as it might have existed 500 years ago.

It was far too hot to do much sightseeing and we just checked into the hotel to rest. The heat was the driving factor in selecting the luxurious Orchha Resort. We indulged in the luxuries of staying in a five star hotel (fortunately at rock bottom prices) and lounged at the poolside.

Later we walked down to the village for dinner at the grimy Ram Raja Café. We sat out among the pesky insects, while our host got our dinner together.. over an earthen hearth. The village seemed to have no shortage of electricity problems, though fortunately the Orchha Resort had a generator.

Accommodation at Orchha

We checked out the accommodation at the MPTDC Sheesh Mahal (phone: 07680-52624. Bookings: 0755-778383, 774340. Fax: 0755-772 384, 774289), but found the place questionable value for money. The normal rooms were musty and not particularly well maintained. One can stay in the Queen's Chambers at Rs 3,000 however the room is a little tacky by any royal standards

We stopped in at the MPTDC Betwa Tourist Cottages (phone: 07680-52624. Bookings: 0755-778383, 774340 Fax: 0755-772 384,774289). These were quite nice and seemed to be a good option (though not particularly cheap at Rs 800 per cottage)

The Orchha Resort ((telefax: 07680-330759) seemed to be a good, safe bet (while quite expensive at the list price). The hotel has a great location, being just next to a group of chattris and the river. There is apparently a brand new five-star hotel coming up close to the river, but we weren't able to learn when it was expected to open.

Orchha does not have many options for eating out. Apart from the few hotels, there are a couple of café type places, which are nothing more than roadside dhabas with fancy menus. Being a temple town, there is also no shortage of mithai shops selling prasad. The best bet for food is undoubtedly the Orchha Resort (where food prices are quite reasonable given that it is the most expensive place in town). Only vegetarian food is served.

The Orchha slide show

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