Orchha Things to Do

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Hardaul was the son of Bir Singh Ju Deo, and died to prove his innocence to his elder brother Jhujhar who cast doubts on his relationship with his (Jhujhar's) consort. This saintly prince was, after his martyrdom, worshipped as a god and even today, the villages of Bundelkhand contain platform like shrines where Hardaul is worshipped.

This palace was also constructed by King Vir Singh Dev. It is said that he built nine palaces for his son called Nauchauki. Jujhar Singh palace was one of them. The three storeyed palace is built in rectangular plan, having a large hall and rectangular rooms on the ground floor. There are three square rooms topped with ribbed domes on the upper storey. The designs of the inverted lotus shaped domes are typical features of the Bundela style of architecture.

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This palace, located in front of Hardaul Bathaka (Seat), is called Palaki Mahal due to its large palanquin roof. It was built by King Vir Singh Dev (1605-1627). The two storeyed palace is built in a rectangular plan consisting of three arched door verandahs which have rectangular rooms on both sides. Tiled stone pillars and the first floor with palanquin roof were added in late 17th century when the pavilion of Hardaul was constructed.

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The Phool Bagh is a flower garden containing a palace, named after it. King Vir Singh Dev, (1605-1627), built this garden and palace. It has a pillared hall on the ground floor in front of which decorated fountains were built, and squarish large rooms topped with ribbed domes on the first floor. The peacock shaped brackets, pillars, ribbed dome and niches are typical of Bundeli architectural style. Below the main building is an extensive Thakhana (basement) for use in hot weather ventilated by two tall shafts which are perforated to provide ventilation for cooling.

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This is a large rectangular courtyard located behind the Shish Mahal and Jahangir Mahal. There were elongated chamber doors on three sides, however only the walls remain. A water channel also came along the walls which was evidently used by the horses for drinking water.

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It is said that after the suicide of Raiman Daua's family, Maharaja Vir Singh felt extremely repentant and called Daua's pregnant daughter-in-law from her parents house for whom this new building was constructed. She gave birth to a child named Shyam, who later became military commander of the Bundela army. The building has two courtyards having arched entrances facing east that are decorated with full bloomed lotus flowers on both sides. The three storeyed gateway is topped with a palanquin roof.

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This was the house of the chief of the cavalry located to the north of the Shyam Daua's ki Kothi. It has rectangular chambers and verandahs with its basement to the north while the southern part is in ruins. The building probably dates to the 17th century which is evident from its architectural features.

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The Rai Praveen Mahal was constructed by Prince Indrajit Singh for Rai Praveen who was a famous poet and musician and his favourite concubine. The walls of the central hall on the second storey bear many paintings depicting the several moods of Rai Praveen. The palace is combined with a garden divided into two parts by a wall and which is popularly known as Anand Mandal Bagh.