What about Orcha?

mridula · Aug 22nd, 2009, 17:25

I am now back from Orchha. And if some of you traveled by a tempo and wish to hear some sound related to it with pictures from Orchha here are a few of mine-

http://www.gonomad.com/traveltalesfr...-of-tempo.html

aadil · Aug 22nd, 2009, 17:37

That was a nice one Mridula. Brought back fond memories of my trip there in 2005. I guess there are a lot more fancy hotels now since the last time I was there. I suppose the restoration work at the sites is still in progress too. A lot of the original stuff is lost forever but whatever remains still manages to overwhelm the visual senses.

Cheers,
Aadil.

mridula · Aug 22nd, 2009, 18:08

Thank you Aadil. last wek there was no sign of any restoration work. And the buildings do not look like they have been properly restored. yet the place is beautiful, the rowdy Jhansi youth notwithstanding.

I liked the Charrtis the best. Betwa had a lot of water and there are vultures everywhere.

The bigger hotels are Betwa Retreat, Betwa Resort and Amar Mahal and all three had no room available for the walk-ins like us. They were packed to capacity. We ate many a meals at Betwa Retreat though.

I loved the place. We stayed at a pace called Bhandari Guest House which was quite OK apart from the condition of the bed sheets.

aadil · Aug 25th, 2009, 01:08

You are right, they are not being restored properly and most of them are in a dilapidated condition besides the good places with painted walls and ceilings being locked up and opened only when some palms are greased!!! The vultures, parakeets and monkeys (not including the sadhus) are almost everywhere!!!

Cheers,
Aadil.

pontdefer · Nov 15th, 2009, 08:30

Just spent 5 relaxing days in Orchha, stayed at the Shree Mahant Hotel (not the guest house)which was clean and quiet. It is a charming village and the tombs and palaces are worth the trip. We spent two days on bicycles in the countryside, rent the newer ones on the road leading to the tombs and the river. We paid Rs 90 (The old ones were Rs50)per bike per day for them and they were worth it on the back roads. The first day we biked to Maroor, about 15 kms out of town. Head out via the Lashkmi Temple Road and turn left after you go through the Main Wall Gate and just keep going. Maroor has a beautiful Ashram at the top of a hill (about 400 steps up or you can bike but that seemed worse to me) that you can visit. The road is mostly paved but there are some dirt parts.
The second day we biked to the Waterfall at Ken Garrial Conservation area. It is about 25 km from Orchha and a super trip on bikes. The road is paved all the way and fairly flat. The waterfall has formed a magnificent gorge that was worth the trip as there was not much water falling at this time of year. 6 kms past the waterfall on a good dirt road is the crocodile pond. You can go for a rowboat ride on the river here (Rs 100 for tourists) to search for the crocs--we didn't see any but it was fun anyway. We did see 2 kinds of monkeys, antelope and peacocks. There is also a monthly festival in Orchha when people from the surrounding area stream into town for one day. The festival celebrates the arrival of Lord Rama into Orchha. Most people bed down in the square in front of the temple and there is music and lots of vendors. It made for a fun last night. All in all a very nice place to visit

unclelach · Nov 15th, 2009, 13:18

Current very positive postings from pontdefer and mridula, also vonkla, have renewed my interest in Orchha, thanks to you all.

I started this thread six years ago and still haven't been to the place though my Khajuraho train passed near recently. In 2003 I was travel weary and coming down with a bad head cold which cut my India visit short. Now I have plenty of time and health permitting, should reach Orchha.

mridula · Nov 15th, 2009, 15:25

Pontdefer looks like you had great time, any pictures to share?

Unclelach hope you will go there this time.

pontdefer · Nov 16th, 2009, 18:14

I just realized that I have joined my Khajuraho bike trip with my Orchha bike trip. The conservation area/waterfalls is near Khajuraho not Orchha and is certainly worth the trip if you are there. It must be all the excitment of being in Varanasi that is confusing me, either that or old age! Sorry I don't have any pics as I did not bring a camera on this trip.

rtandon · Nov 19th, 2009, 05:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by pontdefer

I just realized that I have joined my Khajuraho bike trip with my Orchha bike trip. The conservation area/waterfalls is near Khajuraho not Orchha and is certainly worth the trip if you are there. It must be all the excitment of being in Varanasi that is confusing me, either that or old age! Sorry I don't have any pics as I did not bring a camera on this trip.

pontdefer, you can also edit your earlier post so that there is no more confusion to other readers. Indeed, I was also surprised to read that, especially when I have explored Orchha a lot and perhaps familiar with many of its locations, Orchha and even areas surrounding it. Some of them are indeed serene and peaceful, not mentioned much on the net and therefore not much information available. Also some of these areas do require you to have your own vehicle to explore.

pontdefer · Nov 19th, 2009, 19:27

[QUOTE=pontdefer;859662]Just spent 5 relaxing days in Orchha, stayed at the Shree Mahant Hotel (not the guest house)which was clean and quiet. It is a charming village and the tombs and palaces are worth the trip. We spent two days on bicycles in the countryside, rent the newer ones on the road leading to the tombs and the river. We paid Rs 90 (The old ones were Rs50)per bike per day for them and they were worth it on the back roads. The first day we biked to Maroor, about 15 kms out of town. Head out via the Lashkmi Temple Road and turn left after you go through the Main Wall Gate and just keep going. Maroor has a beautiful Ashram at the top of a hill (about 400 steps up or you can bike but that seemed worse to me) that you can visit. The road is mostly paved but there are some dirt parts.
There is also a monthly festival in Orchha when people from the surrounding area stream into town for one day. The festival celebrates the arrival of Lord Rama into Orchha. Most people bed down in the square in front of the temple and there is music and lots of vendors. It made for a fun last night. All in all a very nice place to visit.

drgrudge · Nov 20th, 2009, 19:03

I was in Orcha some 2 weeks back. Awesome place.

Things to do:
- have street food (such awesomeness! I had the almost the best tea near the Betwa river)
- hitch hike through the village
- watch the sound/light show at the Palace complex
- watch sun rise at Betwa river bank
- hire cycle and ride
- go for nature trails (but it was closed when I went)

A must visit place.

delhiwala · Nov 22nd, 2009, 21:01

I'll be at Orchha on 25th & 26th....

Any other IMer there at the same time ?

delhiwala · Dec 2nd, 2009, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by drgrudge

I was in Orcha some 2 weeks back. Awesome place......go for nature trails (but it was closed when I went)

The gate was closed when I went, but I started walking along the river bank and soon the barbed wire fence ended and I found a passage going in the forest, I entered from here and walked in the jungle for 3 hours. I could see Bhor Bagh, Hanuman Garhi and the confluence of Betwa and Jamni, but could not spot Elephant rock....

Must visit place....

rtandon · Dec 2nd, 2009, 22:45

Yes, there is a barbed wire fence but I do not remember if it forms any real barrier. The elephant rock is perhaps one which you encounter before the confluence, very large boulders - perhaps. Indeed, it's a good place and on a warm sunny winter day, the rocks might be good for lying down under the sun. Yes, actually I did encounter a couple there! Of course, very serene and quite place.

Not just this, if you really wish to explore there is a lot of area apart from the trail walk - I followed the road further 5-6 Km and found a bridge, huge lonely stretch, beautiful small village ahead of betwa bridge. Apart from this, the forest area too has hot beautiful Jamuni river water bodies flanked by boulders and trees.

delhiwala · Dec 2nd, 2009, 23:08

I was told that on the right side of the road also there is a jungle trail which goes upto Shikargah (Hunting Lodge) of Orchha kings......

Another excuse for a repeat visit.....