The Betwa River is one of the many places in Orccha that boasts some of the most spectacular views the town of Orccha has to offer. This beautiful place has many thrill-seeking and fun activities you can participate in, like kayaking, sailing, and river rafting. The Kanchan Ghat is one of the most famous ghats in Orccha and is situated within the Orccha Fort complex. The Ghat houses, also known as cenotaphs or Chattris, are of the Bundela Rulers. There are totally fourteen chattris that draw out the Kanchan Ghat on the River Betwa. A perfect place to holiday whilst learning and understanding the history.
About The Kanchan Ghat
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The most famous ghat in Orccha is the Kanchan Ghat. It is of great religious and cultural significance to the locals. The locals celebrate all festivals with enthusiasm. Any auspicious occasion calls for an aarti that you can be part of. Rudra Pratap Singh, the Bundela Rajput chieftain, founded Orccha. Kanchan Ghat has many things to offer anybody. You can admire the scenery, history, architecture, or culture. It is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the experience.
Must Read: Places To Visit In Madhya Pradesh In Summer
Things To Do In The Ghat
Enjoy these activities near this famous ghat in Orccha, attracting several tourists from across the country and abroad. Here are a few things that you can do:
1. River Rafting
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The Betwa River offers rafting for those visiting in grades 1 and 2. It is not too aggressive, a mild sport, as only some parts of the river are violent, especially when it meets the River Yamuna. The entry ticket ranges from INR 800 to INR 2000, depending on the course length you want to experience. The rafting route that you go on offers a spectacular view of certain parts of the Orccha Wildlife Sanctuary.
Location: River Betwa
Price: INR 800 onwards
2. Kayaking
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Kayaking is another water sport the place has to offer. If you are a true sports enthusiast, then this place might be right for you. Except for the monsoon season, you can go kayaking at any time of the day. The opening hours are 8 am to 10 am so make sure to reach there early so you do not miss out on such an exciting opportunity. Your route allows you to look at the famous 14 chhatris that reflect on the water. This course comes with Grade I and Grade II rapids, therefore, the water can be turbulent so if you are an adventurer do try these fun activities.
Location: Betwa River
Price: INR 1000 per hour
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Orccha
3. Bathing In The Betwa River
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There is a temple near the Kanchan Ghat where people believe that after taking a dip in the river, you must visit the temple to pray. According to the locals, a dip in the river can wash away all our sins and allow us to start anew. However, it is wise for people to do this with precaution as no one is always guarding or watching the waters. The river can be turbulent sometimes, so you must listen to the people there or the locals and proceed cautiously.
Timings: 7 am to 10 pm
Activities: Boating, river rafting, and kayaking
Tourist Attractions Near Kanchan Ghat
Kanchan Ghat is situated in Orrcha, which offers some of the most fantastic tourist spots to explore. These places are the best for understanding the culture and history of Orccha and River Betwa. Check out the areas listed below to have a fun and exciting trip.
1. Jungle Safari At Orccha Wildlife Sanctuary
If you visit the Orccha Cenotaphs, also known as Chattris, you can view the Betwa River; right across the river, when you see land, that is Orccha Wildlife Sanctuary. Usually, it is not where you spot animals very often unless you leave early in the morning. The sanctuary is also called the Bird Sanctuary, and you can view a wide range of sights here. It is the perfect place for bird-watching and photographing nature in its most authentic forms. The entry ticket is INR 10 for Indians and INR 250 for foreigners, open from 7 am to 6 pm.
Location: 8JRR+R95, Lalitpur, Mahrauni Marg, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh 472246
Opening hours: 7 am to 6 pm
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2. Jhansi Fort
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The Jhansi Fort was built in 1613 by Raja Bir Singh Deo of Orccha, and it was under the rule of the Chandela Kings from the 11th to 17th century. Rani Lakshmi Bai was a fearsome Queen and warrior who showed bravery and courage during the mutiny against the British East India Company in 1857. There is also a museum called the Jhansi Museum that keeps all arms on display for you to see. You can also view the place where Rani Lakshmi Bia married Gangadhar Rao. However, you need a separate ticket for that. It will take around two to three hours to tour the fort completely. Entry fees for Indians are INR 25, and for foreigners, they are INR 300.
Location: Jhokan Bagh, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh 284002
Opening hours: 7 am to 6 pm
3. Ancient Boabab Tree
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There are only a few places in India where you can find Boabab Trees, and Orccha is one of those places. You can find them on your way to Jhansi from Orccha. Only one tree stands alone in a farmland; it is easily spotted. People believe this tree is 500 years old and was planted by Maharaja Bir Singh Dev. Check it out as you drive to Jhansi to click some amazing pictures.
Location: Between Jhansi and Orccha
Opening hours: All day
Further Read: Tourist Places Near Indore
Visit Kanchan Ghat and explore its surroundings. It surely will humble you. Explore the various activities and add this place to your itinerary. Numerous chhatris or cenotaphs surround the fort along the Betwa River. Now that you have a good idea about Kanchan Ghat and everything you can do there, book your trip to Madhya Pradesh to have a blast with your family and friends in the quaint town of Orccha.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kanchan Ghat
Can you swim in the Betwa River?
Yes, you can swim in the Betwa River but you should do it under supervision as the waters can be turbulent. People often go to dip in the river as they believe it washes away their sins.
What other tourist attractions are there in Orccha?
There are many famous tourist attractions in Orccha like the Chaturbhuj Temple, Group of Chattri, Light and Sound Show at Orccha Fort, Rai Praveen Mahal, Phool Bagh, Sheesh Mahal, and many more places.
How do you reach Kanchan Ghat?
The closest airport is the Gwalior Airport which is 119 km away from Orccha. You can take a cab from there to reach the ghat. If you choose to travel by train then the nearest station is Jhansi as Orccha does not have a railway station. It is only 15 km away from Orccha so you can always take a tuk-tuk or a taxi. There are night buses as well that travel to Orccha from Delhi to Khansi which takes about 7 to 8 hours.
Are there any water sports in Orccha?
Of course, there are water sports here. There is river rafting, kayaking, sailing etc for water sports enthusiasts. However, these sports are unavailable during the monsoon season.
When is the best time to visit Orccha?
The best time to visit Orccha would be between September to March. The weather is extremely pleasant and you can go about touring different places without any hindrances.
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