7 Amazing Things to Do in Orchha, India

Before arriving in India, I had never heard of Orchha. In Hindi, Orchha technically means “hidden”, so I guess that makes sense. Nevertheless, it was a peaceful, historical village in the middle of India, and a surprising highlight for me.

Of all the destinations I visited in India, I felt safest in Orchha. Contrary to popular belief that rural villages are actually more dangerous than metropolitan cities in India, Orchha became a sanctuary for me. Unlike Dehli and Varanasi, I felt like I could walk throughout the village on my own, unbothered.

The locals were friendly, and less aggressive, than other areas of the country. Plus, it was less chaotic, and a nice location to recharge my batteries. It felt like a luxury to fall asleep sans the constant sound of horns honking. Clearly, I was a fan. Today I’m sharing seven amazing things to do if you ever find yourself in Orchha.

Related: Jaipur, India: A Photo Diary

1. Explore the Orchha Fort Complex

The Orchha Fort Complex is definitely the highlight in Orchha. This complex is comprised of three different sections: Jahangir Mahal, Raj Mahal, and Sheesh Mahal. You could absolutely get lost within the secret tunnels, narrow passageways, and numerous pillars around the complex. Kings and queens resided in the complex as Orchha was once one of the most powerful kingdoms in India.

Tip: There is a camera charge of 25 INR if you plan on taking photos within the complex.

2. Visit Chhatris of Orchha

With your ticket to the Orchha Fort Complex, you will receive entry to Chhatris of Orchha. Chhataris are “funerary monuments to Orchha royalty” and stand tall along the Betwa river. They are a bit hidden from the city “center”, so be prepared for a short walk. When I visited, there was only one monument available for climbing {the last structure on the left}, but I took the opportunity to get some alternative views. You’ll also notice vultures perched on the cenotaphs, so keep your eyes peeled.

Tip: If someone shows you how to climb the last structure, make sure you have a tip handy!

3. Attend a prayer ceremony

Every night, the town of Orchha comes together to participate in a religious prayer ceremony. These ceremonies are available to the public, and definitely worth taking part of for an authentic, local experience. Situated within the Raj Rama Temple, worshipers present gifts to the priest while the entire vicinity chants in Hindi. I must admit that it felt a bit invasive since I don’t practice the religion, but we were welcomed with smiles {and even homemade cake!} upon arrival.

Tip: You must remove your shoes outside of the vicinity. We had someone to watch our shoes, but I’m not sure if they were specifically designated to our group, or general security.

4. Learn how to make authentic Indian paper

As a quick half day trip from Orchha, you can visit a local NGO: TARA. TARA specializes in making paper from recycled materials {mainly clothing}. They took us through the entire facility where local {usually impovershed} women had different jobs at each stage of the paper making process. Overall, it was an informative, interesting afternoon. The handcrafted products are available for sale on site and help towards keeping the NGO thriving. Learn more here.

Tip: You will most likely need to join an organized group {like G Adventures}, or a combined day tour of this property. I found this one online for $35 USD. Alternatively, you may be able to hire a tuk tuk and ask the staff on site if you can have a tour.

5. Take a cooking class

A local woman by the name of Rajni hosts a cooking class in her home for guests of Orchha. To be honest, it’s more of a cooking demonstration, but if you are lucky, you’ll get some hands on experience. Regardless, we learned how to make five different Indian dishes {spoiler alert, they were all delicious}. Plus, a recipe for masala chia was included {and demonstrated}!

The entire process was complete within an hour {talk about efficiency}, and afterwards we were left to enjoy the meal. The experience was an intimate one. In fact, one of Rajni’s sons came out to greet us, and we sang him “Happy Birthday” {because it was in a few days}.

Tip: To book a cooking demonstration with Rajni, you can email her at indu.orchha@gmail.com or contact her on Facebook here. Our total came to 1000 INR {approx. $14 USD} each + included dinner.

6. Walk along the Betwa river 

The Betwa river runs along Orchha and is considered holy by the locals. Therefore, you’ll see people bathing along the banks, as well as doing laundry and simply relaxing. It’s quite a peaceful spot in Orchha, and one of the more beautiful rivers I found in India.

Tip: To get the best views of Chhatris of Orchha, walk across the narrow {but fully functional} bridge near sunset. From the other side of the river you’ll get stunning views of the cenotaphs.

7. Drink the best masala chai + eat the best vegetable pakora

One of my favorite aspects of visiting India was sampling masala chai in each city we arrived in. I have to admit, Orchha didn’t have the very best masala chai in all of India {more on that in another post}, but nearly. Plus what kind of heading would “Drink the second best masala chai” be? If you aren’t planning on visiting Varanasi, then it will be the best you try in India!

Myself, and a few others, quickly made Ram Raja Restaurant & Cafe our local hang. Their tagline was: black as hell, strong as death, sweet as love. How could we not? Something they did have the very best of in all of India? Vegetable pakora. OMG. It would be a crime not to order them if you visit Orchha.

Tip: The restaurant is located nearby the Orchha Fort Complex, so it’s an easy place to visit before or after.

Have you been to Orchha? Do you have anything to add to the list? Orchha became a sanctuary of sorts for me in India. Like I mentioned, it was the safest I felt on the entire trip, and therefore a destination I hope to highlight it to fellow travelers.