Ram Raja Temple

Ram Raja Temple is a prominent Hindu temple in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, where Lord Rama is worshipped as a king. Housed in a former palace building in the town centre, it is the only temple in India where Rama receives a royal Guard of Honour. Built in the late 16th century during the Bundela period, the temple is known for its palace-like architecture, domes and courtyard, and is the central religious landmark of Orchha.

Visitors can expect a palace-like temple complex with a quadrangular courtyard, domed roofs and arched corridors in Bundela style. Inside is the sanctum with the idol of Lord Rama as Raja, along with idols of Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman. The surroundings include bustling market lanes with prasad and souvenir shops. Visitors can attend daily aartis, observe royal-style rituals including the Guard of Honour, and explore the courtyard and exterior architecture.

The temple originated in the late 16th century during the reign of Bundela ruler Madhukar Shah and his queen Ganesh Kunwari. The queen brought an idol of Lord Rama from Ayodhya to be installed in the under-construction Chaturbhuj Temple. When the idol could not be moved from the palace where it was kept, the palace itself was converted into the Ram Raja Temple. The structure retains the features of a Bundela palace with its courtyard and domes.

The temple is culturally significant as the only shrine where Lord Rama is venerated as a king with full royal honours, including a daily Guard of Honour, gun salute and royal protocols by the state police. It is the presiding deity of Orchha and central to the town's religious identity and Bundelkhand traditions, drawing devotees throughout the year, especially during Ram Navami and Diwali.