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Walk in the forest
Across the river from the verandah (sit out) can be seen what used to be the largest forest in the former Princely State of Orchha. The forest surrounds the confluence of the River Jamni and Betwa rivers and includes several riverine islands. In the past, the Betwa supported seasonal sport fishing for the great Indian Mahaseer, and still
Courtyard of Jahangir Mahal hosts a number of fish and turtle species.
The Orchha Sanctuary is roughly 25 kms long and 15 kms wide. The original forest was covered with Dhawa and Kardhai trees (both Anogeissus spp.). In the 1940's, Maharaja Sir Vir Singh undertook a large plantation of Teak trees which can still be seen. This forest still has Wild Boar, Langur, Blue Bull (Nilgai), Sloth Bear and over 200 species of birds. The last Tigers were seen in the forest in the years before 1970.
Trails are being developed in the Sanctuary for walking/driving in the interior and by the banks of the Jamni and Betwa rivers. A morning’s walk can yield 200 bird species in this forest/river ecosystem.
Boating and Canoeing - The retreat has its own boats and canoe to experience the majestic Betwa River and Orchha
Places to see in Orchha
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Ram Raja Temple is the palace of Raja Madhukar Shah where the icon of Lord Ram was brought from Ayodhya by Maharani Ganesh Kunwar.
Chaturbhuj Temple was built by Raja Bir Singh Deo.
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Laxmi Narayan Temple . The wall paintings in the Lakshmi Narayan Temple are worth a visit and depict scenes from the epics and even the 1857 uprising.
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Chhatris (Cenotaphs) to Orchhas rulers are down by the Betwa River.
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Jahangir Mahal is an impressive Palace with a small archaeological museum on the ground floor. The Fort of Orchha has 3 Palaces - the Jahangir Mahal, Raj Mandir and Sheesh Mahal and also the Haveli and Garden of Rai Praveen who was an accomplished courtesan in the reign of Raja Madhukar Shah.
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The Phool Bagh has a Baradari in honour of Diwan Hardaul, who was poisoned by Rani of Raja Jujhar Singh, his brother. The Phool Bagh also has the Badgir Sawan Bhadon Towers. These cooling towers, which caught the prevailing wind, came to Orchha from their origin in Yazd in Iran
Boating on Betwa River next to Bundelkhand Riverside
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Bundela Chhatris from the Betwa River
Excursions
from Orchha
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Panna Tiger Reserve (174 km) - Panna is famous for Tiger, leopard, Spotted Deer, Sambhar Deer, other mammals and over 300 species of birds. The Ken River flows through this beautiful park and is home to crocodiles, turtles and fish.
Gwalior (118km) - Is known for Gwalior Fort, Jain sculptures, Teli- Ka- Mandir and Man Singh palace.
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Khajuraho (168km) - Once a great Chandela capital, Khajuraho is now a World Heritage Site for its temples built between AD 950 to 1050.
Datia (46km) - The Fort of Bir Singh Deo which is the twin of the Orchha Fort was built in 1626. The Datia Fort is called Gobind Mandir and was built after Jahangir Mahal with a central tower.
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Sonagir (56km) - Is known for Jain temples.
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Jhansi (18km) -Is Famous for its Fort built in 1613 by Maharaja Bir Singh Deo of Orchha and Rani Mahal, the former Palace of Rani Lakshmibai which is now a museum containing hundreds of sculptures.
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Shivpuri (104 km) - Is the old summer capital of the Scindias. Shivpuri is known for Chhatris (tombs) and the Madhav National Park.
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Deogarh (160 Km) - Famous for temples from 2nd Century A.D with Jain and Hindu sculptures
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BaruaSagar (17km) - Is known for its Fort built by the Raja Udait Singh in 1730 and is built on the lake.
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Garh Khundar (30 km) - Known for its Fort on top of the hill and a Lake built by Bir Singh Deo of Orchha
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