TEMPLES

Chaturbhuj Temple: it was erected by the same Madhukar Shah so that his queen Ganesh Kuanwari could install there the idol of the god Rama that she had brought from Ayodhya and which had been temporarily placed in her palace, today the temple of Ram Raja. But the statue proved to be immovable and this magnificent temple remained empty! Today, an idol of Radha Krishna is installed in the altar. The temple is surmounted by two large conical towers (vimanas), which are among the largest temple towers in India, and a dome which can be accessed (caution is advised when ascending). From there, you can see all the splendors of Orchha at a glance.

Ram Raja Temple: the idol of Rama is visible today at the Ram Raja temple and attracts many devotees. The Indo-Muslim architecture, the ultra kitsch colors and the checkerboard floor make it the most unusual temple in India... since it was the palace of the queen! The last Bundela bequeathed his kingdom to Rama, who still holds the functions of god and king. On his lands, neither the Indian president nor the Prime Minister can be escorted by their guard of honor. The king gives audience every day from 9am to 1pm and from 7pm to 9:30pm. The afternoon is devoted to the siesta. Despite his advanced age, Rama has a good appetite and eats three meals a day. The lunch is quite copious, but in the evening he is satisfied with a simple soup of hot milk. The king is guarded by the police who make sure that you do not enter the temple with a camera hidden in the bottom of your bag. A visit is necessary at 7 pm at the time of the ceremony ofaarti of the temple, the faithful ones press with the gate. During this ritual, policemen of the city pay homage to Rama as the king of the city, and not as God. In the courtyard to the right you can also see a small temple dedicated to Shankar (one of Shiva's avatars) covered with lingam.

Lakshmi-Narayan Temple: built on a hill by Bir Singh Deo in 1622, it looks like a fortress, fortunately its conical needles are there to give it a sacred touch. The most beautiful paintings of Orchha are wonderfully preserved on the walls and ceilings, the colors remained intact. They describe episodes from the Ramayana or the Bhagavad-Gita as well as secular and warlike scenes. The style is typical of the Bundelkhand school which flourished in the ^17th and ^18th centuries. Attention, this temple closes its doors at 5:30 pm.