Julian & Ali Travels


Orccha, Madhya Pradesh, India		Week 140 December 2nd - 4th 2013

		We've got the hang of "Horn Please". Haven't worked out "Wait for Side". Not much room for overtaking, we've found it useful at times to follow something bigger than us.

		There's a manual water pump in that circle on the right. Water for the village.

		Another Indian brick clamp (now I know what they are called - thanks Kay). A design of kiln first developed about 4,000 years ago. One figure has it that 30 million tonnes of coal are used each year in clamps like this.

		We are headed towards Orccha. A former capital of the Bundelas.

		Orccha is small. A single main street.

		At the southern end are the15 (or so) cenotaphs of the Bundela Kings. Described as Nagar style architecture, apparently a similar style to Khajuraho. We didn't get to enter the grounds. The ticket office is more than a km away. A single ticket for lots of attractions.

		So instead we photographed the vultures.

		This is a bit different, and outside the compound.

		Climbing inside got us near the parrots. The sound reminded us of home.

		Raja Mahal on the left. (Site of ticket office). Jehangir Mahal on the right.

		We retreated back to our hotel (car park). The Bewa Retreat. Another Madhya Pradesh Tourist Authority establishment. Ready to cross the causeway to the nature park.

		We searched in vain for deer and monkeys. We saw some cattle. Something has been eating the grass, but nothing we saw.

		But we did have a 10 km stroll along the river bank. The park is between two rivers. One is the Jamina River - which has flowed from Agra.

		We got to look back at Orccha.

		Apart from Holi (thanks Peter) there is religious significance for colours within Hinduism. A red tika on the forehead for all religious occasions. It is also the colour of power. Saffron for fire. Representing purity and religious abstinence. Yellow for knowledge and learning. Blue for deities with determination. The ability to deal with situations with stable mind and depth of character. White is a mixture, of colours, and thus peace, purity, cleanliness and knowledge. Green for peace, happiness and prosperity.

		Back to bricks and mortar. The gate to the Bundela Citadel. Another island between the rivers.

		The Diwan-e-am. A public meeting place where king met subjects. Built around 1539.

		Then into the courtyard of the Raja Mahal. Built about 1538.

		The decoration is mostly plaster and paintings.

		Hindu, not Muslim, as there are people.

		We've spent too much time thinking about Escher and his out of perspective drawings. We keep looking for things that can't happen. The four sides of the courtyard are tiered in the same manner.

		Signs of better times. Of blue tiles.

		And blue tiled walls.

		In the distance is the Chaterbhuj Temple. All lined up like peas in a pod!

		The Jehangir Mahal is larger and later. But similar central courtyard.

		Though elephants to hold things together.

		I suspect we entered via the back gate. Then found our way out through this front looking gate.

		But before we leave another view for Escher'ites.

		Sorry, the four posts reside stubbornly in the four corners.

		So we walked through part of the rest of the citadel. In translation we seem to have 'fort', 'fortress', 'citadel', and no doubt a few other names. We're guessing basically walled towns with palaces and other buildings inside.

		This small palace, the Ravi Praveen Mahal, was built for a ruler's consort around 1572. Whatever the consort did, which included poetry, singing and dancing, required a large garden.

		The much less ostentatious home of the chief of cavalry.

		The Chaturbhuj Temple is still in use. A central dome and four passages forming a cross.

		And smaller part domes supporting the main dome. Internally I wonder if its been influenced by the architecture we saw in Istanbul?

		But externally its very different.

Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India		Week 140 December 5th - 6th 2013

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