If this is Monday, it must be Orchha…

Following our bleary eyed arrival around 10:30 am we were able to check into our hotel rooms, grab a shower and have lunch at the hotel restaurant. Feeling human again, we explored the grounds of the hotel and then had a rest.

At 3:00 pm we met up with a local tour guide to visit Orchha. We walked over to the monuments behind the hotel.

Absolutely stunning architecture from the 1500’s.

The area we visited used to be the cremation grounds for royalty and the buildings are called cenotaphs as memorials for the departed.

Perched atop several of the spires were huge nests of vultures, which are revered creatures here for their role in the environment. This particular species was on the endangered list a few years ago but has made a comeback. We thought they were statues until they moved!

Also circling the tops of the buildings were flocks of large green parakeets. Very magical!

The grounds had beautiful gardens with roses and canna lilies and were very clean and uncluttered, which enhanced our appreciation.

We left the cenotaphs and walked over to the Raj Mahal, one of the royal palaces also from the 1500’s.

The main gates had large spikes on it to deter attacks from elephants during times of war. Poor elephants!

Several of the interior buildings had beautiful paintings on the ceilings, which would have been duplicated on the rugs of the palace.

In other rooms there were paintings on the ceilings that depicted stories of the lives of the Hindu gods.

There were also large pools for water which would have been scented with rose and jasmine petals to provide fragrance to the royal court and keep the buildings cool.

One of the courtyards featured a large dance platform from earlier times.

Carvings of elephants encircled the guest courtyard, 108 of them as it is an auspicious number, trunks down in welcome for visitors.

We were able to climb up to higher levels to watch the sunset. More stone steps – just can’t get away from them – but wonderful views! I stayed on the ground and enjoyed everyone’s photos.

We paused for a snack and wondered what this last item on the dessert menu could be. We opted for a less extravagant ice cream dessert.

We then walked over to the large Hindu temple for the evening prayer service or aarti.

Photo below – another palace on the hillside just above the Hindu temple

We left early to go back to the hotel as the lack of sleep on the train was catching up with us. An auto rickshaw back to the hotel was seamlessly arranged by Manu, bless him.