Orchha, now a small hamlet in the state of Madhya Pradesh, was once the capital of the formidable Bundela kings who ruled over a large tract between the Ganga and Narmada in medieval times. According to legends, King Rudra Pratap chose this place situated on the loop of the river Betwa to make his capital in AD 1501. Located at a distance of 16 km from Jhansi, Orchha rises out of the hills and the greens surrounding it. The historical monuments of Orchha still retain their pristine charm and narrate stories of war and peace, of love and destruction. It is also a place famous for Bundela paintings, of which it was once a centre of activity. Nevertheless, Orchha is not all about history and legends; it is also about the natural splendour of a wonderful valley where the crystal-clear waters of the Betwa flow quietly along the banks for which solitude is a way of life.

Sightseeing
Most of the attractions in Orchha are situated in the fort complex consisting of palaces, temples, cenotaphs, and memorials. The complex can be reached by a multi-arched bridge where you would find three palaces in a quadrangle. Raj Mahal or King's Palace was built by King Madhukar Shah, a contemporary of Emperor Akbar. Jahangir Mahal was built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo in 1606 to commemorate the visit of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Legends say that Rai Parveen Mahal