Orchha Fort complex

The Orchha Fort complex is a fortress on a river island in Orchha, India, connected to the shore by a stone bridge. Inside the walls rise three palaces built from reddish sandstone, each with multistorey towers and open balconies overlooking the green countryside.

Raja Rudra Pratap Singh began construction in 1501, making the site the capital of his Bundela kingdom. Later rulers expanded the fortress with additional palaces and courtyards until the royal family moved away in the 18th century.

The name Orchha means "hidden place", reflecting how the Bundela rulers chose this secluded spot along the riverbanks. Visitors today walk through courtyards where royal ceremonies once took place, surrounded by turquoise tiles and carved stone screens.

The site opens daily and includes three large palaces with many rooms spread across different buildings. Morning or late afternoon visits work best, when light illuminates the stone facades and the heat is less intense.

Architects designed windows and passages so that sunlight and air circulation naturally regulate indoor temperatures. This passive cooling system works throughout the year, making rooms bearable even in summer heat.