Abandoned Orcha temple complex, palaces, etc, located in Rajasthan, India. It seems to be without maintinence, and despite being a nice example of medieval north Indian style building, I doubt many people know about it. The city was once the capital of a powerfull Rajput dynasty during Mughal times. These pictures are mainly of the temples:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Abandoned_Temple_complex_at_Orcha%2C_Rajastan%2C_India.jpg

http://gjandot.free.fr/photos/inde/orcha.jpg

http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00routesdata/1500_1599/orchha/sceniclaundry/sceniclaundry.jpg

http://membres.lycos.fr/pynnaert/orcha.jpg

http://www.alovelyworld.com/webinde/gimage/inde026.jpg

Some views of the fort, etc.

http://img1.travelblog.org/Photos/4820/18533/f/84501-Spectacular-view-of-the-Fort-Orcha-0.jpg

http://img1.travelblog.org/Photos/4820/18533/f/84499-Cathedral-look-of-Chaturbuj-Temple-Orcha-0.jpg

http://img1.travelblog.org/Photos/4820/18533/f/84497-Inside-the-Orcha-Fort-Orcha-1.jpg

http://gjandot.free.fr/photos/inde/orchafort.jpg

http://www.munduatamusika.com/cronica18/orcha.jpg

From wikipedia:

Orchha possesses an imposing fort, dating from the early 17th century, which contains a number of palaces and other historic buildings. The most noteworthy of these are the Rajmandir, a massive square building of which the exterior is almost absolutely plain; and the Jahangirmahal, of the same form but far more ornate, a singularly beautiful specimen of Hindu domestic architecture. Elsewhere about the town exist fine temples and tombs, among which may be noticed the Chaturbhuj temple built on a vast platform of stone.

Wonderful architecture! Seems to be using the muslim Mughal architectural elements in conbination with the ancient Indian temple architecture. Pretty unique example! 9/10

Ya I think the Rajputs were influenced by Persian/Saracenic architecture :)

9.5/10. Rajput architecture is incredible. They influenced Mughal architecture a lot just like persians did. I really like this one. 0.5 taken off for the deterioration of the monument. Needs renovation done now.

9.5/10

9/10

9/10

8,5/10

............

5/10

Dunno how someone gave 3 - mud huts get more than that.

Dunno how someone gave 3 - mud huts get more than that.

Hi vastu. It was me who gave the orcha complex a 3, that was my other id.

I was browsing through various threads in the forum and was pissed at the way many ancient monuments were maintained in India. So went harsh on the ratings that night. :|

Ah - well, try to imagine them in good condition :-)

Thats what I do - afterall, its the design that counts, rather than the maintinence, etc, unless its a new building.

9/10- personally, i like it. i find it interesting.

does this arquitecture come from india or cambodia???

8/10

9/10- personally, i like it. i find it interesting.

does this arquitecture come from india or cambodia???

India. Did you think Cambodia, because of Ankor? That was built in the Indian style, because it was a Hindu temple.

9/10

8.5/10

9/10.

9/10

8.5/10

9/10

A courtyard....in urgent need of repairs:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/193/517448051_cfb27d39f7_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/251/517447961_b8a8148099_o.jpg

Temple..also needs repairs:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/199/517437780_af9c3e9e03_o.jpg

Well maintained gardens and buildings:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/244/517447765_590e8ab9af_o.jpg

More of the palace:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/233/517455119_7e2adb6374_o.jpg

Wow...it's absolutely splendid...10...

The sad thing is if this was in Europe or something it would be so well maintained and would be a wonder...but in India nobody cares for it...people just care about the Taj...but the govt IS taking more initiative these days...lets hope they get to this marvel soon

Give it time, it will soon be restored. As India's economy keeps growing and growing, more and more funds are available to restore and develop India's architectural marvels.

Starting last year, an massive archeological survey of the entire Orchha temple complex is underway by IIT Roorkee university.

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1958/tndsc01090xy6.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1319/tndsc01158cf2.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/6091/tndsc01276vz5.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/7750/tndsc01376di4.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9996/extreme1li7.jpg

So the groundwork is already being laid. I've also read reports about the Archaeological Survey of India working to obtain possession of the land the temple is on. (It's currently private property whose owner is keeping it to protect it)

8/10

9/10

7,5/10

7/10

Its in Madhya Pradesh, NOT Rajasthan.

9. Very good. Regards.

8/10

9/10

8/10

9/10

10/10

8/10

7.5/10