Changelog

A short, honest list of ways to arrange a village homestay or buy craft in Orchha that put the money with the women's groups who host and make — Ladpura Khas homestays, the TARAgram paper workshop, and buying Bundelkhandi painting from the maker — rather than a middleman at the monument gate. Institutions and discovery channels only; no unverified phone numbers.

A stop-by-stop walk through the places that tell Orchha's one story — Ram worshipped as a king. From the Ram Raja Temple and its evening gun-salute, to the temple built for an idol that never moved in, the Fort's three palaces, the riverside cenotaphs and their vultures, and the Betwa ghats. Honest about the heat, the one ticket that already covers every floor, and the river's real danger.

A shared board of the public spots around Orchha's temples and ghats that need cleaning. Anyone can see it; flagging a spot needs a free account. It is a neighbourly log, not a complaint to the town — to get a spot cleaned, call the MP CM Helpline on 181 (in Hindi), or use the Swachhata app. Built for a town whose most-named problem is litter among the monuments, under a UNESCO nomination.

The day's aarti times at the temple where Ram is worshipped as a reigning king — the summer or winter schedule in effect now, the next aarti today, and the daily police guard of honour behind them. The seasonal switch follows the Hindu calendar, so near a change of season the temple's own board is the last word.

The town page now carries a colored-pencil sketch of the royal chhatris rising above the Betwa River, seen from across the water with their reflections among the boulders — the view of Orchha people keep.

Add up your group's entry fees — Indian and foreign rates, plus the camera fee — into one clear total, and see plainly what the single combined ticket already covers. Knowing the roof and upper floors are included makes a surprise 'tip' at the gate easy to spot. It also lists the free things (Ram Raja darshan, the Guard of Honour, the Betwa ghats) and fair auto and taxi fares from Jhansi.

Three tools to start. Is the Betwa Rising? reads the weather model's rainfall on the river's upstream catchment and the two dams above town, as one more reason to stay off the deep water at the ghats in the monsoon — it is not a flood warning, and it says so. When Is It Cool Enough to Be Out? marks the bearable hours for the temple, the bazaar and the monuments through 40-plus-degree summers. Who to Call leads with the all-India emergency number and the state line that sends river rescue.