Orchha is a small town in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh which thrives with lots of tourists and local visitors everyday. So what is so special about Orchha? Orchha was established by Bundela dynasty ruler Maharaja Rudra Pratap Singh around 1530 AD. Orchha is surrounded by dense forests on all sides and a perennial flow of river betwa. There are a lots of historic forts, palaces and chhatris built by Bundela rulers which attract tourists from far and wide. A lot of foreign tourists come to visit Orchha to catch glimpse of the grandeur of art and architecture of medieval Bundelkhand.

There is another story related to Orchha which makes it more unique and special. Its the only town in the world where Shri Ram Lala is worshipped as the Maharaja. Yes, you are right Shri RaamRaja Sarkar – is worshipped as the King of Orccha. While Shri Ram lala at ayodhya ramjanmbhoomi is still in tent he has been worshipped in Orchha as King from several centuries.

There is an interesting story about how Shri Raja became the King of Orccha. Maharaja Madhukar Shah and his wife Maharani Kunwar Ganesh were Krishna and Ram bhakt respectively. They both had argument about who is more devoted to their “ishta-devta”. Outcome of argument was whosoever  will be able to convince his araadhya devta and convince him to come to Orchha will be deemed a great devotee. Maharani Kunwar Ganesh went to Ayodhya and Maharaja Madhukar Shah went to Mathura. Both spent months in praying and getting darshan of their araadhayas. Madhukar Shah returned back while Maharani stayed on. She started fasting unto death to please lord ram. Even then she could not get darshan and emotional maharani jumped into Saryu river to give away her life. She had vowed that if she is not able to find Ram she will not return to Ayodhya. Everytime she jumped she was brought to the shore and then she finally got divya darshan of shri ram in the form of young boy. There she requested shri raam to come with her to Ayodhya. Ram lala asked her for three promises to keep –

1. I will only travel in pushya nakshatra and only in the company of saints.
2. I will be made the king of your state.
3. I will stay in the building where you will first install me and would not move out of that building.

Maharani agreed to all terms and conditions and thats how shri ram lala came to Orchha. The ram lala murthy which Maharani brought with her is said to be the same which Kaushalya had when shri raam had gone to vanvaas. Its still not clear as to which metal this murthy is made of.