Credit: Naveen Tiwari orchha

Ram Raja Temple, also known as Orchha Temple, is a magnificent temple located in Madhya Pradesh, India. A pilgrimage site is visited by thousands of visitors every year. Today we will explore the story behind temple construction and what makes it so special.

The story behind Ram raja temple

Ram Raja Temple was built by King Madhumar Shah in the 16th century for his queen, Ganesh Kuwari. Following approval from him, the queen went to Ayodhya to get an image of Lord Rama. However, when she arrived, construction on the temple had not yet begun. So the queen decided to keep the image of Ram for the time being. When the construction of the Chaturbhuj temple was completed, the idol refused to move from the palace. However, later, the palace was converted into the Rama Raja Temple, where Lord Ram was worshipped as a king.

It’s the only temple in India where Lord Rama is worshipped as a king. Every evening, a grand aarti is organized inside the temple in the manner of the king, where offerings are served to Lord Rama as a royal feast.

Designated guards employed as police personnel guard the temple.

The surroundings of the temples become lively, especially during Hindu festivals like Shivratri, Kartik Purnima, Makar Sankranti, Kartik Purnima, and Vivah Panchami. Devotees come to pay offerings

Architecture

The Ram Raja Temple has colorful walls and marble courtyards. Ram’s idol looks unique as he is depicted with a staff in his right hand and a shield in the other.  In Padamasana, Lord Rama is accompanied by Sita, his brother Laxman Jambavant, Hanuman, Surgeeva, and Narsingh Bhagwan. A grand aarti is held every evening inside the temple.

Here, Lord Rama is sitting in the padmasana position, and looking at the left foot’s big toe is believed to fulfill a wish. Every day, sandalwood is applied to the left toe of Lord Rama.

Orchha is well connected to major cities and towns in Madhya Pradesh by road. The temple is located in the heart of Orchha, and you can easily reach it by taking a taxi or a bus. If you are traveling from Delhi, you can take the NH 44 highway to Jhansi, which is about 16 kilometers away from Orchha. From Jhansi, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach the temple.

How to Reach Ram Raja Temple

By Train:

The nearest railway station to Orchha is Jhansi Junction, which is well-connected to major cities in India. Several trains run daily from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and other cities to Jhansi. From Jhansi Junction, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach Orchha. The distance between Jhansi and Orchha is around 16 kilometers.

By Air:

The nearest airport to Orchha is the Gwalior Airport, which is located around 120 kilometers away. The airport is well-connected to major cities in India, including Delhi and Mumbai. From the airport, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach Orchha. It takes around 3 hours to reach Orchha from Gwalior by road.