Ram Raja Temple Or Orchha Temple: Know About Its Timings, Architecture And Significance

Friday, March 17, 2023, 17:36

Orchha is a decadent town with an unbelievably rich historic background, that is situated on the banks of river Betwa. Rudra Pratap, the Bundela Rajput chief was the founder of this town. Built-in the 16th century, Orchha Temple is also known as Ram Raja Temple and is popular among devotees because it is the only place where Rama is worshipped both as a God and a King. This was actually the palace of the queen of Madhukar Shah who converted this into a temple, as per the dictum of Lord Ram in a dream visitation.

There is absolutely no place, where Rama is referred to as Ayodhya Ram, Dasharath Ram, or Kausalya Ram. There might be several reasons behind this occurrence. Probably, it is due to the fact that he spent too less time in the company of his parents although he spent a long time as a monarch. He is known to have spent a considerable portion of his time in exile with Sita where he showed his supernatural prowess during his single-handed combats with the Rakshasas in the impassable jungles. Memories about his life and his feats while in exile linger for a longer time than that of his reign as the king as his exile has been a topic for endless debates.

He assumed kingship only after he had fulfilled the purpose of his incarnation, that of the destruction of the evil Ravana. Although he played his role to perfection as a King and administrator in Ayodhya, he was, by natural circumstances, unable to be the king that he was born to be, for a long time. A portion of his life, from the materialistic point of view, was lost to be never regained. He played his roles, as a father, brother, son, husband and king, and the incarnation of Vishnu with aplomb. Hence the Ram temples that we have seen are dedicated to the Sita Ram aspect of Lord Rama. He spent most of his life, as Sita Ram and comparatively less time as Raja Ram. When he assumed the throne as Raja Ram, his kingly duties were the major priority for him and at other times, he was Sita Ram. Know more about the temple.

Ochhra Temple: Architecture

The temple is constructed in the 16th century and it is a monument raised inside the Orchha Fort Complex. You can see Raja Ram, Goddess Sita, Laxman, Maharaj Sugreev and Lord Narasimha. Durga Maa idol is established on the right side. Hanuman and Jambwant are seen praying to Lord Rama just below Sita. Rama is seen to be wielding a sword in one hand and a shield in the other, in a seated position in padmasan with his left leg crossed over the right thigh.

It has a mysterious background according to which the idols that were to be installed in the Chaturbhuj temple had been placed on the ground for some time. But once they were placed, the idols refused to be picked up and could not be moved. Hence a temple was constructed around these idols that were set inside the sanctum, against a back drop of colourful walls, marble courtyard and an out of the world architecture that exudes serenity and calm.

Ochhra Temple: Interesting Facts

Rama in this temple, is treated as a royal first and then as god. As any head of a state, he receives guard of honour from policemen who have been appointed to guard the temple day and night, conduct guard of honour to Lord Rama every day. The bhog or prasad and other amenities served to Lord Rama in this palace are only fit for kings and emperors of the present day. People within this temple, treat Lord Ram with armed salutation every day. The policemen who conduct the guard of honour are the appointed priests for the temple of Raja Ram.

Lord Rama is believed to have visited the queen of Orchha in the form of a small boy. The present temple is actually the palace of this queen, where he settled for good, in the form of an idol.

Most commonly known as Orchha temple, this sacred place welcomes over 750000 devotees every year, and over 25000 foreign devotees. On a daily basis, around 3000 devotees visit the temple and on especially days of festivals, like Makara Sankranti, and Vivah Panchami, the number of footfalls is at the maximum.

Ochhra Temple: Legend Associated With It

The Orchha queen worshipped Lord Ram with intense devotion. Once on a pilgrimage to Ayodhya, she had an earnest longing to bring back the Ram of Ayodhya in a boyish form. Lord Ram, pleased with her devotion, agreed to follow her to Orchha and settle there in a temple. But he was not willing to move from temple to temple and hence he promised her that he would stay permanently in the place she would first place him. She brought Lord Rama in a small boyish form to Orchha upon seeing which the king was moved to tears and immediately ordered the sculptors to build a temple for Lord Ram.

But in the meanwhile, the queen had already placed Lord Ram idol in her palace to worship him once with all her devotion. So here, the temple got constructed in overnight and was ready for Lord Ram to occupy it. But Lord Ram refused to move from his original place where he was worshipped by the queen. So the queens palace became the Raja Ram temple where Lord is not just worshipped as a God but also as a king. Lord Ram refused to move because of the condition he had set the queen! The queen's palace eventually became the Ram Raja Temple. Here, Lord Ram is worshipped not just as a God, but also as a king.

Ram Navami is the time when people queue up to this place to have a glimpse of the Ram Raja. Thus, the palace was turned into a temple and the kingly avatar of Lord Rama is worshipped here. The palace, on the outside, is decorated with religious symbols and looks like a temple, inside it, it is stark with an appearance of a regal palace.

Ochhra Temple: How To Get There

Orchha town is situated approximately 80 kilometres (50 mi) away from Tikamgarh town, which is the district headquarters of the Tikamgarh district about 15 kilometres away from the Jhansi town.

Orchha is well-connected to the places like Jhansi, Gwalior and Khajuraho via road transport. Buses and taxis are available to hire to commute to Ochhra temple. The nearest railway junction to Orchha that is 16 kms away in Jhansi. Usually, they choose taxis and cycle rickshaws on rent as means of transportation. One can bicycle their way to this temple, if fit and interested. One can roam about the entire Orchha on foot as it is easy and enjoyable and holds the traveller's interest due to its rich past and history.

Gwalior airport is nearest to Orchha which is about 113 kilometres from Orchha and the other is the Khajuraho airport which is at a distance of 155 kilometres from this city. You can hire a taxi or a bus to commute from the airport to Ochhra city.

Ochhra Temple: When To Visit It

Orchha is best visited during the Monsoon season, which is when its architectural grandeur unravels at its best. The clouds and the sprinkles of mist all around, rejuvenate our aesthetic senses and pique our religious curiosities. Winter is also a good time but summers are best avoided due to the scorching heat that saps your energy and enthusiasm to explore. Ram Raja Temple is undoubtedly serene, and sports a marble courtyard and walls splashed with myriad colours.

Disclaimer: The information is based on assumptions and information available on the internet and the accuracy or reliability is not guaranteed. Boldsky does not confirm any inputs or information related to the article and our only purpose is to deliver information. Kindly consult the concerned expert before practising or implementing any information and assumption.

Image sources: Wikimedia Commons