Settlement Study

Ram Raja temple is a temple with an engaging plaza in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh. It is located on the west to  the east axis. The temple complex of Orchha is built over phases demonstrates such narrative within the space and takes the perceiver through the process of visual interactive communication. The Ram Raja was initially the Rani Mahal, constructed by Raja Bharti Chandra in the year 1501. It is said that when the queen, Rani Ganesh Kunwari brought Ram's idol from Ayodhya to Orchha, the Chaturbhuj temple was not completely built  so the idol was kept in the Rani Mahal. 

 

The temple has multiple entrances, one is from the east, that is the Machhli darwaza which was a watch tower and the main entrance to the temple from the palace. And the other one is from the west. The temple is located on the west entrance facing the east. The plaza is located between the two entrances. The two entrances are not just for people to visit the temple but it is also used as a shortcut by people passing by, mostly for the school students as the school is close to the west entrance. 

 

The temple originally being a Rani mahal, it is not designed as a typical north indian temple with a square garbhagriha preceded by one or more adjoining pillared mandapas (porches or halls), which are connected to the sanctum by an open or closed vestibule (antarala). On entering the temple comes a courtyard, preceded by a narrow passage which is mainly use for people to stand in line for darshan then comes a huge courtyard with open roof and tall wall surrounded on the four sides . Usually temple gives a sense of peace after entering but in this temple it doesn't give sense of peace but get more chaotic than it is in the plaza. The reason for this is maybe because it was not designed to be a temple but a palace for the queen. 

 

The plaza is a defensible space because of the surveillance and overview from the people around, clear sightlines that is the different levels in plaza makes it possible for the viewer to see some object in the distances, and provision of alternate "escape" paths, that are the multiple entrance and exits. The plaza provides easy and direct access particularly for the elderly, disabled and young children. These give a sense of safety and makes everyone feel comfortable and makes you to spend more time in the plaza. The plaza contains many sweet shops, these shops are constructed in such a way that they are shaded ninety percent of the day. Some shops are just on the north of the temple, the tall walls of the temple stops the sunlight reaching the shops which also helps the sweets to stay 

longer without getting bad due to the heat. And because if this they get a chance to keep their sweets outside the shop and attract more people. The tall plinths of the temple help the vendor on the street to display their items on the railings of the plinth. The plaza itself makes the whole temple more engaging than the other well known buildings around. 

 

The temple has become a major landmark to the whole city. As ever location in the city is shared with respect to the temple. It also plays a very important role to Orchha's economy. The plaza has become a source of income for many people in Orchha.