After Orchha Mahal we walked towards Raja Ram temple. Both the sites are walking distance apart. Architecture of the temple is as fascinating as the temples of South India.
History goes like this, some centuries back, one night King of Orchha dreamed of Lord Ram and received inspiration to build a temple/palace dedicated to Ram. The construction was finished soon and opened for worship.
A peculiar thing of this temple is that Lord Ram is not worshipped as a god but as a King. The temple too was constructed more like a Raj Bhavan rather than a temple.
Even today, Police stand at the gates pretending to be guards of Lord Ram. The temple is revered by devotees throughout India and they pour in large number throughout the year.
Raja Ram Temple
Temple is built of golden brownstones and has lots of rooms. We thought we are done sightseeing the temple and were about to leave the temple when we noticed a dark narrow passage going upwards. A metal chain confirmed that the passage was not open to tourists.
Some guards were chatting in front of the small gateless door. Moved closer to them and asked what’s above? One of them replied you want to go up? I said yes. He continued ‘take this boy with you and he will show you all the interesting spots’
Sadhus sitting under a Peepal tree in Raja Ram Mandir
Chilams kept for sale near the temple
A view of the Raja Ram Temple
Our guide
He was an excellent guide
A young boy in jeans and T-Shirt came ahead. A Small whiteboard was hanging from his neck which read I am Deaf and Dumb, please help me.
We started moving up the narrow alley which was broad enough to only pass one at a time. Stairs were big and broken.
The boy moving ahead understood our likelihood to rough against the tall stairs and low ceiling in the dark thereby indicating to walk with caution.
Indian long-billed vulture
We reached a flat terrace which was connected to the main dome of the temple. Our young guide started making sharp noises and fast hand movements
He wanted to show us something very interesting. I hurried towards him and moved my eyes in the direction of his finger. Indian Long-billed Vultures or Gyps Indicus.
Long-billed Indian Vultures
Silhouette of a vulture sitting on Raja Ram Temple
There was a time when they were in numbers but not now. In fact, they are placed in the category of highly endangered species and rarely found. One of the main reasons cited by researchers is the use of Painkillers by humans which enter the food chain of Vultures resulting in their death.
In Orchha, there were around 6-7 big vultures. Some sitting on the sections of the temple while some in the air with their huge wings. We all stood there for quite a time watching the magnificent endangered Vultures before returning on the ground floor. Handed our guide his due. Thanked all the guards and left the temple.
It was around 7 PM and the sun had moved to the other hemisphere. We took auto-rickshaw and returned Hotel Chanda our nest for the night. With this comes the end to our visit of Jhansi and Orchha.
An evening by the Betwa riverside Jhansi Fort Orchha Mahal
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The denizens of the deep woodlands and forests of Madhya Pradesh are the stately ‘gaur’ (Indian bison), wild dogs (‘dhole’), deer and antelopes like the sambar, chinkara, cheetal (spotted deer), chousingha (four horned antelope) and the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger.
Thank you for the terrific post
You’re welcome Bobby 🙂