Chandratal Lake: Guide to the magnificient lake of Spiti Valley
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Chandratal Lake: Guide to the magnificient lake of Spiti Valley
Chandratal Lake – the most awaited part
Orchha & Khajuraho: travel back in time
Orchha & Khajuraho, the princely towns in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, are a constant reminder of India’s past glory and the magnificent forgotten past.
Madhya Pradesh
Starts: from Delhi
Ends: at Delhi
Type: Mixed Gender
Dates
Start: July 17, 2 PM
End: July 21, 8 PM
₹ 28000
About the Tour
If you love the rich Indian heritage and its mind-blowing architecture, then the trip to Orchha, and Khajuraho will be among the most memorable trips of your life. Khajuraho Group of Monuments is UNESCO World Heritage. You unfold the stories of brave rulers from history, their beautiful forts, and the temples built by them.
And, how about experiencing this destination during a perfect monsoon? The weather is just pleasant, waterfalls are in full flow, and our rustic heritage contrasts against dark greenery giving us Instagram-worthy shots!
Orchha & Khajuraho, the princely towns in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, are a constant reminder of India’s past glory and the magnificent forgotten past.
Orchha, one of the finest offbeat travel destinations in the country, is a picturesque town located on the banks of Betwa river in central India. Frozen in time, the grandeur of Orchha’s forts, palaces, temples, and ghats transport us back in time. The 16th century Bundelkhandi architecture with Mughlai influence tells tales from history through its intricate stone carvings. Chaturbhuj temple dominates the skyline of Orchha while on the other hand, the cenotaphs, when viewed from the other end of the river make a beautiful backdrop during the time of sunset.
Orchha was established as the capital town of mighty Bundela Rajputs, by Rudra Pratap Singh in the 16th century. The word Orchha means ‘hidden’, hence a suitable place for a Rajput capital. It’s one of the rarest places across the country that has still maintained its ancient glory and magnificence. The very perfect amalgamation of nature and heritage make Orchha an inviting place for all kinds of visitors.
Just a couple of kilometers from Orchha lies the town of Khajuraho, which is famous for being home to one of the most unique temples in the world, formally known as the ‘Khajuraho Group of Monuments’. This group of monuments is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has always caught the attention of people because of the erotic sculptures depicting Kama Sutra in the temples. The temples were built between 950 to 1050 A.D., during Chandela Dynasty, and hence these temples clearly reflect the immense appreciation of Chandela rulers for forbidden art. In fact, some temples also have sculptures of the most revered Gods of Hinduism.
While exploring the architectural beauty of Orchha and Khajuraho, we also get a chance to witness the natural heritage of the Bundelkhandi region. Did you know that Sunset at Kanchana Ghat is so beautiful that it will leave you speechless? We also get to visit Raneh Falls which are in full flow during monsoon and are bound to recharge & rejuvenate the core of your soul.
Let’s set on a journey with a group of wonderful individuals to experience the charm of this old world, enrich ourselves with some interesting facts, and relax away from our noisy metro cities for a few days.
Trip Highlights
1. Orchha stay in a traditional resort
Our Orchha resort is a previous hunting lodge, spread over 50 acres. The present resort is an addition to the old construction that dates back to 1895. The resort beautifully overlooks the river Betwa and has verandahs from which the guests can enjoy the view of the flowing waters of the beautiful Betwa River. Its interior design offers a palette of local colors and materials and thus reflects the heritage and glory of the erstwhile Bundela Rulers at Orchha.
2. Orchha Cenotaphs
One can find cenotaphs at countless places in India but the beauty of the Centopahs of Orchha is that they have been built spectacularly on the banks of the Betwa River and boasts of Indo-Mughal architecture. An early evening spent wandering around the cenotaphs followed by a sunset is something one would never forget. The cenotaphs were constructed to be the tombs of the Bundela kings who ruled the Orchha. There are total 14 of them with the cenotaph of Raja Bir Singh Deo being the most elaborated and the unique one.
3. Chaturbhuj Temple
Almost 105 meters high, Chaturbhuj Temple is one of tallest, fabulous and the magnificent structures of ancient India. It was built by king Madhukar Shah in between the years 1558 and 1573. The temple houses an idol of Lord Vishnu with four arms but was originally meant for Lord Rama’s idol. It has a complex multi-storied structure which is a blend of the architectural features of temples, forts, and palaces. The temple has tall spires in the shape of pine cones built atop a high platform.
4. Laxminarayan Temple
As the name suggests, Laxmi Narayan Temple is dedicated to Goddess Laxmi, but still there is no idol of Goddess kept inside the temple. It’s one of the most interesting and unique temples of Orchha. It exhibits a perfect combination of temple and fort architecture. It has captivating mythological murals and geometrical carvings of scenes from the life of Lord Krishna. It’s one of the preferred places to view a sunset in the town.
5. Orchha Fort Complex
It houses a large number of ancient monuments consisting of the fort, palaces, and temple. The most visited landmarks in Orchha Fort Complex are Raj Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, and Phool Bagh. Raj Mahal used to be the abode of kings and queens until it was abandoned in 1783. The secret passages, murals, and mirror work inside Raj Mahal are fabulous. Jahangir Mahal was built inside the fort in the 17th century to mark Jahangir’s visit to the town. It’s a combination of both Mughal and Bundela architecture. Sheesh Mahal is now a heritage hotel inside Orchha Fort complex offering a royal experience.
6. Kanchana Ghat
Words are less to describe the unforgettable beauty of Kanchana ghat. The mesmerizing view of the reflection of cenotaphs (chhatris) in the shimmering waters of Betwa river, when viewed from Kanchana ghat, is worth a hundred photos. It’s an experience and the exquisiteness of this place that shall keep haunting you to return to this place.
7. Ram Raja Mandir
Lord Rama arrived in Orchha from Ayodhya in a child form in the lap of Queen Ganesh Kunwari and took his place inside the palace of the queen which is now known as Ram Raja Mandir. It’s the only temple in India where Lord Ram is worshipped as a king. The temple is guarded by police personnel and an armed salutation is offered to Lord Ram every day. Why Lord Ram is worshipped here as a king is an interesting story that we shall discuss during the trip!
8. Western Group of Temples
The western group of temples in Khajuraho houses the maximum, and the most important temples in Khajuraho. The Matangeshwar Temple, and the Kandariya Mahadev Temple both are the largest temples in Khajuraho, both dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Lakshmana temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is located near the Kandariya Mahadeva temple. Devi Jagadambi temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati. All the temples in western group are made from pink and yellow sandstone except Kandariya Mahadev Temple and Chausath-Yogini Temple which are made from granite.
9. Eastern Group of Temples
Just a couple of hundred meters from the Western group of temples lies the old village of Khajuraho which used to be the home to the Jain Community during the Chandela dynasty. This is also the eastern part of Khajuraho, and hence this place is home to the Jain group of temples which is also known as the Eastern group of temples. It also makes this group of temples quite unique from other temple groups. Adinath Temple and Parsvanatha Temple are one of the most significant temples in the complex.
10. Southern Group of Temples
Southern group of temples in Khajuraho have two major temples which are Dulhadeo Temple, and Chaturbhuj Temple. Did you know that Chaturbhuj temple is the only temple in Khajuraho which doesn’t have any erotic sculptures? It’s also very tall temple, having it’s top raised even above the tree line.
11. Light and Sound Show
The light and sound show at the Orchha Fort transports you back in time, highlighting the rich history and cultural heritage of these majestic places. They come to life after twilight, illuminating the architectural wonders of the respective places while creating a mesmerizing backdrop for the show. The narration, which is backed by synchronized music and sound effects, transports visitors on a fascinating trip around the heritage’s ramparts, recalling tales of valor, passion, and intrigue.
12. Raneh Falls
Raneh Falls is a magnificent waterfall famous for its beautiful rock formations, which are thought to have formed over millions of years. The falls are located on the Ken River, which runs through the region’s mountainous terrain. Since the falls are surrounded by a beautiful forest, it adds to the scenery of the location. During the monsoon time, the falls are at their peak, and the surrounding forest also looks stunning green. Hence, monsoon season is the finest time to see the falls since it allows people to fully appreciate the area’s grandeur.
13. Group Games
Stay excited for this part as usual!
14. Unforgettable social experience
We ensure a personal touch in our groups and our group leaders make sure to bond the entire group like long-lost friends. Hence, along with an amazing travel experience, you are in for great social bonding.
Your Itinerary
Booking/ Query
If you have any questions or concerns, then please feel free to contact us using the below-mentioned details. Alternatively, fill this form and our team will get back to you at their earliest.
This trip can also be personalized as per your needs, with your friends & family. If interested, please reach out to us.
To book this trip, please Call/ WhatsApp/ Email using the below-mentioned details.
Call/ WhatsApp : +91 9999 74 9677
Email: chandni@transformingtravels.com
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