Somewhere between Taj Mahal and Khajuraho is hidden abandoned mediavel town: Orchha. Literally „Hidden place“. On one side of a river small sleepy village, but cross the bridge and you will be surrounded by forts and palaces and temples, with terraces, balconies, spires, domes, courtyards. Above your head fly screeching green parrots and above then silently gliding vultures cover sun with their wings.
In the village not far from the bazaar is Chatturbuj Mandir. Hindu temple, quite rarely with almost no reliefs and other fine decorations and with plenty of space inside. And inside it sort of looks like Christian churches and in the evening, when you can see the rays of the sun flying through the windows and pidgeons fly around it feels like stepping into John Woo movie. (From the outside it does not look like a church at all.)
Everything is open, you can climb narrow steep stairs all the way to balconies and roofs with precariously low railings. And mysteriously you will have it all pretty much to yourself. Other tourists seem to be only in the village in the evenings, at the main square at the souvenir stalls and in two restaurants where they can't cook (but you have not much choice).
Jahangir Mahal
Jahangir Mahal was built by Bir Singh Deo as a welcome present for Moghul emperor Jahangir who visited Orchha in 17th century.
Few more pictures
Raj Mahal
Few kilometres from palaces are cenotaphs of Orchha's rulers.
