An outing at the end of the year has its perils – over-crowding, cold, fog to name a few. However a long drive is overdue and so was in search of the right location. One tends to look southward rather than the frosty hills in the middle of winter and so decided to drive down to the heart of the country. Ghumakkars mentioned Orchha so drew an itinerary adding Khajuraho and Charkhari – where we have a place to stay – to it.
Been to Agra by road many times but driving further down was a first for me. Chambal ravines, infamous MP roads and scary experiences at odd hours added to the excitement and we set out one not-so-foggy morning during the twilight days of 2016; added thrill in the form of a brand-new XUV AT acquired by my friend wherein the two families fit in. However, a cargo carrier had to be fitted atop as the vehicle leaves no room for baggage inside when fully occupied.
Shape of things to come; near toll gate, YEW
Started around half-past-six and promptly got on to the Yamuna Expressway. Fog wasn’t dense enough to hamper the progress. The sun appeared as a golden ball for a few minutes but then quickly retreated respecting the season. Extension work has been done to this highway at Agra so no need to take the NH2-Agra bypass route. Most of the city passed in a breeze and we reached the Gwalior highway without much hassle. Passed Dholpur and then came across river Chambal. Stopped on the bridge for a better view of the ruggedness of the terrain.
Girl on the bridge; don’t miss the head-gear!
Reached Gwalior soon after. Road till then was of good surface with divided four lanes. Unsure of what lies ahead we pressed on towards Jhansi and found the highway to be good though not like the previous one. No dividers or straightened bends but good, motorable road; top layer of tar may have washed off at some places but found no craters. Must say things have improved in MP. Had a glimpse of Datia palace on the way. No stopover was planned at Jhansi either so marched on to Orchha which is off the Jhansi-Khajuraho highway. We reached our destination about half-past-four in the afternoon covering 450 km approx. in 10 hours.
Orchha is nothing more than a sleepy village with narrow but cleaner roads. After freshening up we wandered off to the riverside. There were boulders by the bank and in the middle of the river as well.
We stood on one of the rocks strewn on the banks and watched the magic unfolding before us – rays of the fading sun filtering through the silhouetted canopies pouring liquid gold into the river, forest reaching down to the other side, river Betwa gurgling and caressing the rocks in the path downstream… Kings and Queens of yore must’ve drenched in this lovely atmosphere looking down from their palace terraces up above.
Darkness soon set in and we went back looking for the entrance to the fort for the light & sound show.
In the morning we went back to the riverside. A low bridge without parapet connects to the other side where you enter into a forest. We walked on it. It was so narrow that you have to be careful not to fall into the rushing waters when a big vehicle tries to pass. It gets submerged during monsoons.
We reached the other side and were welcomed by the primates at the entrance of the sanctuary. Looking back at the canopies, temples and mahals lined up the other bank one couldn’t help thinking about its resplendent past when horses and caparisoned elephants have trodden those dusty paths carrying Royals in their embellished fineries. Built around the middle of the last millennium those magnificent pieces of art withstood the onslaught of modernism. We spent the day admiring the late Mughal-Rajput architecture, the beautiful river and the general sights and sounds.
Jahangir Mahal from the outside Photo courtesy – M M Philip
View from Jahangir Mahal – 3 temples in the background
This place still retains its quaint charm owing to fewer footfalls. Tourists generally give it a miss preferring the much famed Khajuraho temples just a couple of hours away. MP tourism is making some efforts to promote tourism at Orchha but a lot needs to be done. The place is blessed with natural beauty in the form of a river and greenery along with interesting historical spots in a rustic set up in the heart of India. There is immense potential to develop this as a major attraction if proper maintenance/cleanliness is undertaken. Riverside walks, forest trails, rafting (already there with hardly any users) and other water sports are some of the leisure activities that one can think of.
We then moved on to Charkhari which is 150-odd km away. Miles and miles of farmlands on both sides of the road with not much traffic except at towns en route. Vast countryside with undulating greenery and sparse population – truly the heart of my country.
Roads are generally good and we enjoyed the leisurely drive to our destination. There are a few man-made lakes around this place which probably earned it this epithet.
We stayed with a friend there in real rural settings enjoying farm-fresh fruits and vegetables.
Khajuraho is 80 km away from Charkhari and we made the trip the following day.
Stunned by the beauty unfolding before us we wandered around the temples craning our neck unable to absorb all that is in the spread – amazing architecture, heights of craftsmanship.
Photo courtesy – M M Philip
Eroticism wasn’t the main theme; rather it’s a celebration of human form. Even facial expressions come alive in those poetry in stone.
Photo courtesy – M M Philip
ASI has done a wonderful job in creating an ambience befitting the priceless possessions. Delighted this gem was preserved for us even after a millennium – a must visit place.
We went back to Charkhari that evening; set out for Delhi the next morning – the dawn of 2017 – via Hamirpur, Auraiya and Agra and were home in 10 hours.
What a joy to read you after a long time.
So looks like Gwalior-Jhansi road is now finally done. It was a disaster when we last went. I had the good fortune to visit Orchha a few times, the first one was in 2001 (after 9/11) and the place was completely empty. During that time, it attracted only foreign souls and in the aftermath of 9/11, it seemed as if the whole town was for us. I had the great company of Khamesras, an avid ghumakkar family. The place has changed over time. I last visited 3 years back and noticed a Sound-n-Light show. We managed to attend it and it was pretty good.
Khajuraho is a gem, with a in-appropriate positioning. Its a must-visit place for any one.
Hope XUV did well on YEW. I just returned from a long Delhi-Allahabad-Delhi run, this tuesday.
Hope to read more from you, in stories as well as in comments.
Thanks, Nandan. Hope to stay on after the second coming.
The positive side of less tourists at Orchha is that the place retained its old-world charm. Except for the availability of modern basic amenities nothing have changed over time.
I think the XUV served better on the not-so-smooth highways where its suspension was put to test. It rode the unevenness nicely.
Welcome back Pat!
A long journey narrated so wonderfully.. Great joy to read it!
Khajuraho has remained a topic for discussion more than a tourist attraction with real good take-away. I guess when people write about it from a different perspective, it might gain a better fame apart from its current “Claim-to-fame”!
Waiting to read more from you, soon!
Thanks, Archana. Happy to note that you liked this post especially as it’s the first one with your involvement in the official capacity.
Lovely post, brings back some wonderful memories of the travels gone by. MP is at its best in winters and I feel is one of the most underrated states in terms of tourism. I’d also rate MP Tourism’s own hotels and restaurants at a much higher level than the ones in the North.
It is great to know that the Jhansi stretch is not painful as it used to be. We encountered once after dark and it was so jittery and unsafe back then.
Looking forward to more from you, Patrick.
Whoa, the first ever from you, Smita! Thanks. Wonder what made you take up this task :-)
We’ve stayed at Gwalior enjoying MP Tourism’s hospitality a while back and found it to be excellent. Must say they do certain things to promote tourism. Sure MP can do well if better infrastructure and facilities are provided.
Hahaha, scary memories of the Jhansi road compelled me to wake and write! On a more sincere note, even though I do a lot of back-end work and prepare stories for Ghumakkar, I am poor at commenting. Or writing. So for the this late intrusion on your story, my loss totally.
Coming back to MP, I think their tourism needs more advocacy from people like us, deservingly so, for the Indian travellers to experience history and beauty.
What a joy reading your post, after a considerably long interval. Your beautifully written post has refreshed memories of my couple of visits to Khajuraho and other parts of MP, though despite my wishes, I didn’t get a chance to visit Orchha. I must say you have a knack of taking readers along with you and all through the post, I was like a part of the touring family. Your post has created an urge to visit Orchha and Charkhari. Thanks for sharing the details. And Patrick, do keep on writing. We miss your writings and ever-encouraging comments.
Humbled by the comments from a warhorse. It’s a privilege to get such a note from you, Ram.
I’ve never stopped travelling. However, owing to many reasons couldn’t find the time to take up the pen. Consequently comments dried out as well even though I would visit the site occasionally. Have a few things in mind so hoping to make up for the lost time. Must say that I miss the discussions we used to have in those days.