The Orccha Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh also known as Bird Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary situated along the River Betewa. Once you cross this spectacular river you enter the wildlife sanctuary. Unlike others, this sanctuary is much different and much smaller than any regular one. It is around 25 km long and 15 km wide, therefore, it hardly covers 45 sq km. You may not spot a lot of tigers and leopards but the fauna that lives here is very promising. You will find Nilgai, Sloth Bear, Wild Pig, Blue Bull, Peacock and many more species. It is definitely a hidden gem in Madhya Pradesh as not many people know its existence, providing those who visit a calm, serene environment to gaze at. In this blog article, we explore the Orccha Wildlife Sanctuary and all that it has to offer tourists and travellers.
Birds Of The Orccha Sanctuary
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As mentioned earlier, this wildlife sanctuary is also called a bird sanctuary due to the immense variety of bird species present here. It is the perfect place for bird watching, to observe birds in their true habitat.
You can find many species here, such as woodpeckers, kingfishers, wilderness shrubbery geese and quail, and dark swans. This is a perfect getaway with your friends and family, where you can calmly enjoy nature and all it has to offer.
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Things To Do In Orccha
To make the most of your trip to Orchha Sanctuary and make it even more memorable, here is a list of things to do in Orccha.
1. Visit The Orccha Fort
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The Orccha Fort is home to three different grand structures – the Jahangir Mahal, the Raj Mahal, and the Rai Praveen Mahal. These three forts boast about their architectural style, which preserves history and the passage of time. It is a big part of not only the culture of the people but also their history.
You must visit as the entry fee is merely INR 10 for Indians and INR 250 for foreigners.
2. Laxminarayan Temple
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This marvellous temple is a mix of fort plus temple architecture. A temple dedicated to Goddess Laxmi. However, there is no statue as such of the Goddess inside this temple. There are only carvings on the walls of mythological stories of the Goddess and Lord Krishna and many other Gods.
The temple was initially built in 1622, but due to improper maintenance, the structure suffered greatly. To restore it, Prithvi Singh, in the year 1793, reconstructed it again to preserve what was left. Many projects have been undertaken to conserve the temple and people continue to do so.
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3. Jarokha Restaraunt
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The Jarokha Restaurant is very different from your usual restaurants. It is one that is run by the government. That only means a way to showcase the delicious delicacies Orccha has to offer to their tourists. If you are someone who is not afraid to step outside your comfort zone in regards to taste buds then this place is for you.
It is brimming with mouth-watering cuisines like Continental, Chinese and of course, their local dishes of which Dal Maharani is the most famous. This restaurant is located in Hotel Sheesh Mahal, which is only a 5-minute drive away from the Orccha Sanctuary.
4. River Rafting In Betwa River
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Rafting in the River Betwa is the most famous activity enjoyed by tourists worldwide. It is the perfect activity to quench your thirst for adventure. The river Betwa is turbulent and much fun if you are daring. It continues onwards to soon join the river Yamuna. The route taken to go rafting crosses the Chhatris of the Bundela rulers, a memorial for the royal family, and across the Orccha Wildlife Sanctuary.
River rafting in the Bewta river is one of the best activities to do in Orracha.
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5. Phool Bagh
Image Credit: Ms Sarah Welch for Wikimedia Commons
The beautiful garden is built within the walls of the Palaki Mahal. It was built in the memory of the Prince of Orccha, Dinman Hardaul. He unfortunately died as a martyr whilst proving his innocence to his brother.
The garden was built to provide a means to relax and find shade in the summer for the royals who lived here years ago. It is a spectacular summer retreat for the Kings and Queens. The garden is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for everyone. You do not need an entry ticket to enjoy this beauty.
6. Chaturbhuj Temple
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Built during the Bundelas’ reign, this temple is one of the oldest architectural designs in Orccha. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and was constructed by Raja Madhukar between 1558 and 1573.
The history of this temple is rather mysterious. Initially, this temple was supposed to be dedicated to Lord Rama, another incarnation of Lord Vishnu, however, those plans changed when the idol of Lord Rama kept in the Maharani’s chamber, continued to remain there according to her wishes. Hence, the change in the idols. This temple is worth a visit not only because of the Gods who live inside it and its history but also because of its marvelous architecture.
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How To Reach Orccha Sanctuary
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By Air: There is no direct flight to Orccha, so you can fly to Gwalior first, which is 140 km away. A taxi or bus can cover the distance. There is also Khajuraho Airport, which is 143 km away.
By Rail: Though the town has its own railway station, Jhansi Railway Station is one of the major stations and closest to Orccha. You can reach Jhansi by auto or cab, as it is only 15 km away.
By Road: Jhansi is the nearest place to take the road to Orccha. Since it is only 15 or 16 km away, you can take the tuk-tuk, which is a horse-driven cart, or take a bus or a comfortable taxi ride.
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Now that you know quite a bit about Orccha, you must hurry and book your trip to Madhya Pradesh to have an amazing time amidst nature, accompanied by family and friends. Do not wait too long; book now! Orccha Sanctuary is home to many species and birds. It also offers many activities like sightseeing, exploring historical forts, etc.
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Cover Image credit: By Wildlife Orchha for Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions About Orccha Sanctuary
What are the timings for the sanctuary?
The sanctuary opens at 9 am and closes at 5:30 pm for visitors to enjoy nature and its natural habitat.
What is the entry fee for the Orccha Sanctuary?
There is an entry fee for people. For Indians, it is only INR 40 and for foreigners, it is INR 350.
How many hours does it take to finish touring the sanctuary?
The entire outing to Orccha Sanctuary usually takes around 1 to 2 hours.
What time is the best to visit Orccha Sanctuary?
The months from September to March are the perfect time for tourists to come to visit the Orccha Sanctuary. The temperature is pleasant and it will not be too cold or hot or there will be no rain, it will not interfere with your bird watching.
Are there any tourist attractions near Orccha Sanctuary?
There are many places for you to visit such as Shri Ram Raja Mandir, Sundar Mahal, Orccha Fort, The Royal Chhatris, Jhansi Fort, Jahangir Mahal and many more.
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