Ram Raja Mandir - राम राजा मंदिर

Ram Raja Mandir is a Hindu temple located in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, India. This temple is also known as Orchha Temple. This is the only temple in India where Bhagwan Ram is worshiped as a king and that too in a palace. Honorable army-displays are held every day, police personnel are designated as guards in the temple, much like a king. The food and other facilities provided to the deity in the temple are royal meals. Armed salutations are offered to Bhagwan Ram every day. This holy Hindu pilgrimage is regularly visited by a large number of devotees. 650,000 devotees visit annually for darshan.

Who is worshiped in Raja Ram Mandir:
Bhagwan Ram is the main deity of Raja Ram temple. Bhagwan Ram is accompanied by Devi Sita (on the left), brother Lakshmana (on the right), Maharaj Sugriva and Narasimha Bhagwan (on the right). Durga Maa is also present in the court on the right side. Hanuman ji and Jambavan ji are praying just below Devi Sita. The specialty of this temple is that Bhagwan Ram holds a sword in the right hand and a shield in the other. Shri Ram is sitting in Padmasana, left leg crossed on the right thigh.

During Ram Navami the idol of Bhagwan Ram is taken from inside the temple (garbhagriha) to a throne in the verandah. Ram Navami is the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Ram, during which the birth exhibition of ram is displayed and people from all over the world come to see this event in the temple.

The story behind the sight of Bhagwan Ram's left foot toe:
Sri ram is seated in Padmasana, with only the left leg crossed over the right thigh (although both legs are not crossed unlike in the normal Padmasana). After daily worship, sandalwood vaccine is applied on the left toe of Bhagwan Ram. It is believed that if the worshipers see the toe of the left foot while going to the court of King ram, then their wishes are fulfilled. It is not easy to put the big toe of the left foot on the idol of Bhagwan Ram, because the left leg is bent, one should not look down, but should look closer to the right hand of Bhagwan Ram. Temple priests can also help in removing the toe.

The light and sound show is very attractive in the evening.

Raja Ram Mandir Darshan Timings:
Darshan timings are from 8 am to 12:30 pm and in the evening from 5 pm to 10 pm.

Major Festivals in Raja Ram Mandir:
Hindu festivals like Makar Sankranti, Vasant Panchami, Shivratri, Ramnavmi, Kartik Purnima, Vivah Panchami, Ganga Dussehra, Rath Yatra, Sawan Teej, Rahasya Poornamashi, Ganesh Kumari Jayanti, Holika Mahotsav and Bhagwan Ram's wedding are celebrated with great pomp.

How to reach Raja Ram Mandir:
Raja Ram Mandir is located in Raja Mahal in Orchha, Tikamgarh. Orchha is well connected by road to places like Jhansi, Gwalior and Khajuraho. You can hire a taxi or bus to reach Orchha from these places. The nearest railway station is Jhansi Railway Station, which is about a 25-minute drive from the city. It is well connected to major cities of Madhya Pradesh.