TRAVEL THE WORLD - ORCHHA, INDIA

The Betwa at Orchha, India is a very beautiful river, clean and calm. As with many of India's rivers, ghats have been built along its banks. These are steps leading down to the water where Hindus take a purification bath. They may also perform puja, a type of ceremonial worship. For Hindus, all water, particularly river water, is sacred. Consequently, the river is of great importance in Indian communities.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - ORCHHA, INDIA

Here in Orchha we see people relaxing at the Betwa river, one of India's cleanest. Water is an object of worship for Hindus. As the building block of life, it is represented by a circle and symbolizes fullness. Given the importance of water in the daily life of India, it is terrible to think that the northern glaciers that feed India's rivers are being threatened by global warming.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - ORCHHA, INDIA

The Betwa, photographed in 2007 in the town of Orchha, is a very beautiful river, clean and calm. As with many of India's rivers, ghats have been built along its banks. These are steps leading down to the water where a purification bath is taken and prayers are offered to one of the Hindu deities. Because Hindus regard river water as sacred, the river is of great importance in the life of Indian communities. Orchha, a north India community in Madhya Pradesh, is known for its beautiful cenotaphs which date from the 16th and 17th Centuries.

INDIA VACATION 2007

ORCHHA CENOTAPHS and GHATS

The town of Orchha, located on the beautiful Betwa - one of India's cleanest rivers - was founded in 1531. Until 1783, when it was devastated by Shah Jehan, it served as the capital of the Orchha princely state. In the town are temples, palaces and cenotaphs of its former rulers.

We thoroughly enjoyed our three-day stay in Orchha. It is a quiet retreat away from the boisterous activity of Delhi and Varanasi.

The walk along the Betwa above ghats is especially tranquil and beautiful. As you can see in the first photo, ghats are steps constructed on the river bank which enable bathers to access the river.

The remaining photo shows the Betwa River with one of Orchha's beautiful cenotaphs in the background.