Datia - how long

suiko

is needed to visit the palace? I'm trying to work out train times.

steven_ber

Although I've heard good things about Datia, the guidebook says that it's not as good as Orchha, and it's real advantage is that it doesn't get the tourists that Orchha gets.

Having just left Orchha, I must say that giving Orchha less than 2 full days would be a real shame, there really is so much to see and do, and virtually all of it away from most of the tourists.

I see many coach parties arriving for day trips, bloody mugs, they don't realise what they're missing.

The beauty of Orchha for me is just when the sun is rising and just after it goes down.

Walk down to the river at 06:15, sit on the bridge as the mist is rising from the river, then walk along the river to the Cenotaphs, climb up the last one and look over the others as the mist is still rising, breathtaking, then have a good walk around the area before the tourists arrive.

In the evening, at about 20:00, walk across the other bridge (the one next to all the cafes) and have a walk around the ruins, really spooky, atmospheric (sp.) and in a way, romantic, then go back to the crossroads and keep going straight ahead, you'll see all the other really big and old buildings (I don't know what they are), they look really cool at night, and the background music makes for a really great feel.

The next morning at about 6:30, go back across the bridge to the 'spooky' buildings, you can walk around the whole site for free.

I had 2.5 days in Orchha, and it wasn't long enough.

Only problem, I never found a decent place to eat, and I even tried one of the expensive hotels that was recommended, the meal was a disgrace.

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suiko

Thanks. That's good to know. We arive in Jhansi at about 2pm, and have three nights in Orchha. The idea was Datia that afternoon, then two full days in Orchha - tho the last night we're in the Maharani suite (my most expensive hotel room ever), so would like to make the most of that at least some of the time in the afternoon! Good opportunity to check out the ruins at night though - btw, by your "walk around the ruins", do you mean the main bit?

Hope your stomach is getting back to normal (and that we will actually be able to make our trip at all after last night).

steven_ber

I'm feeling much better.

The bombings are dreadful, but sadly all part of today's India, the extremist 'muslims' have as much hatred for India as they have for Israel, and the fact that real Muslims and real Hindus get along very well, only angers the extremists even more.

India, and Mumbai will carry on as normal, just a pity you already have your tickets booked, you'd get a real good price tomorrow, I know that sounds really sick, but it's true.

Now to be really sick, they'll be some really good deals going in the Taj Hotel before long, their bookings will really crash and they'll do anything to keep the numbers up.

Sadly, that's the real world of tourism, anything else will just be giving in to terrorism.

JuliaF

Datia. As far as I can recall we went there and back from Jhansi in a taxi - between trains - and the whole trip took about 3 hours, so you'd prob have enough time on that afternoon.

But it's a long time ago and i can't remember exactly

suiko

Would you go to Datia or have an extra afternoon at Orchha, Steve/Julia?

JuliaF

Suiko, you're doing so much planning for this trip, I really hope it all works out for you.

I don't really know what to recommend here, maybe just see how you feel on the day. If all your travelling has gone smoothly and you feel full of energy then maybe go to Datia for an hour or so, but you might feel like going straight to Orchha, checking into your hotel and relaxing a bit.

Sometimes you can see too many forts or palaces or whatever and you just need a break from it!

Best of luck anyway. I'll be in India around the same time but not MP this time - West Bengal for a change!

suiko

Thanks! I always think of planning as part of it - wish I could travel for 4 months (or even 2), but as it's never going to happen, I try to prolong the travel time by doing lots of preparation. For India in particular, it does seem that advance planning is necessary to get the train tickets you want without queueing, or the hotel you want at peak season.

But thanks for the very appropriate advice

byronic

Datia is about an hour taxi from Jhansi. I was at the foot of it 2 years ago visiting the local Shiva temple near there.
The road from Jhansi to Datia is new and in fine shape so the ride is smooth. It seemed like an easy half day of exploring / excursion from Jhansi.

I actually never made it the actual palace. We were traveling down from Gwalior on our way to Jhansi and spotted Datia's Palace mid-way between and pulled over to have a look. It was at that point I really had the urge for some darshan and asked the driver if there was a good temple around. lol - he said yes right near the Palace. It was getting dark by then and missed the palace and headed straight to Jhansi.

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wichy

We visited Datia between Orchcha and the train to Bhopal, and it takes about 4 hours - with the palace and chattris (never seen any sign of them in a guidebooks or somewhere else - but they were so interesting and peaceful!!!).
If you'll have time - you can join Sonagiri to Datia travel, it's not very far from it and there are lots of interesting Jain's temples there.

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