Orchha

Feb 10th  we depart from Khajuraho and travel by bus towards Orchha.  It is not a great distance (175 km) but it is a long drive.  This is something we will become accustomed to on our bus journeys – they always take more than the suggested time.  The roads are usually narrow and often rough.  However, there are always fascinating things to see along the roadways.  It gives us a feel for the life of the local people.  The land is predominantly used for agriculture.  In the villages there are merchants selling produce and everyday needs, repair shops and meager homes with their stock in their yards.  

As we are driving along we see an elephant and his mahout, or owner, sitting in his howdah on the top of the elephant.  The bus driver stops and we go out take pictures.  Our guide goes to talk to him and he tells her that he has come from Udaipur in Rajasthan and has been on the road for about one month.  He is on his way to a temple about 15 km further up the road.  Our guide gives him a monetary donation which the elephant takes in his trunk and transfers up to the mahout.  

The pilgrim and his mount

In India you are always seeing various modes of transportation in absurd juxtaposition.

The mahout and, likely, all his worldly possessions

We arrive in Orchha around midday.  Orchha is a 16^th Century Bundela Rajput walled city built along the Betwa River.  There are many palaces, fortresses and temples making it a very picturesque city.  It is a very popular tourist site, particularly for the backpackers.  We spend about an hour here walking along the river and through some shops.

The Betwa River with walled city in the distance

Closer view of the fort and temples

Woman carrying fire wood

Man cooking over a fire near the river

A sādhu (an ascetic, wandering monk) on the banks of the Betwa River.  Our guide was suspicious of his authenticity because of his obvious positioning for tourist photographs and handouts.