Orchha was founded as the capital of Bundelkhand by Rudra Pratap in 1531. He built his citadel on an island in the Betwa river with 3 palaces & temples in a line. The skyline is dominated by the Chaturbhuj Mandir, started by Madhukar Shah (1554-92) & completed by his son Bir Singh Deo(1605-27)
With the tallest spire at 344 feet the temple is famed for having the tallest vimana in temples. Built of bricks layered with lime plaster it has stucco work on the exterior which is ornamentEd with lotus symbols.
It has the mandal, ardha mandal and garbha griha.
It was built to enshrine an image of Lord Rama being brought by The Queen Ganeshkuwari from Ayodhya. She was a Rama Bhakta.
However, as the temple wasn’t ready she enshrined the Idol of Ram Lalla in her Rani Mahal.
As per injunction an Idol to be deified should not be kept in a palace. I was told by priest that the Idol could not be moved from there and to date Ram Lalla is in the Rani Mahal, now called #RamRajaTemple. Only place where #LordRama is worshipped as a king.
As the #sanctum of the #Chaturbhujtemple remained empty an image of Lord Krishna and Radha were installed there & are worshipped.
The temple displays a blend of Religious and secular styles with the exterior following #templearchitecture & interior resembling forts of the Mughal Era.
This is reminiscent of many forts and mosques of mughal Era &provincial Sultanates.
The #temple has a wonderful view of the #JahangirMahal.
Emperor #Jahangir and Raja Bir Singh Deo were very good friends
In Jahangir’s reign (1605-27)#BirSinghDeo became very powerful. It was a period of peace & saw construction of many monuments wh incorporated #dome, #vault, #arch,decorative motifs of #Mughals in garden settings but adding exciting experimentation & innovation to form #Bundela style
Photo 1- Chaturbhuj temple exterior
2&3,7&8-interior
4&6- view of Jahangir Mahal
5- Jahangir Mahal
