Diwali celebrations are already started in different parts of India. Diwali 2025 to be celebrated on October 20, Monday. Diwali marks the joyous occasion of the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after his triumph over the demon king Ravana.
According to the Ramayana, Lord Rama, along with his wife Sita and devoted brother Laxmana, returned to Ayodhya after an exile of 14 years. During this period, Lord Rama defeated Ravana and rescued Sita, showcasing the victory of righteousness over evil.
The people of Ayodhya welcomed their beloved prince with illuminated lamps, symbolizing the triumph of light and goodness. This significant event is a central theme in the Diwali celebration, emphasizing the victory of virtue and the restoration of dharma. But Orchha is also the other part of India where other than Ayodhya, where Ram is still the king.
Where is Orchha, ‘Ayodhya of MP’
A large numbers of pilgrims visit Orchha, a historic town in Madhya Pradesh often called the “Ayodhya of MP.” Here, Lord Rama is revered not only as a deity but as the King of Orchha, making it the only place in India, aside from Ayodhya, where Rama is worshipped as a king.
Significance of Worship of Lord Ram on Diwali
In Orchha, Lord Rama is worshipped as a king, not merely as a god. Devotees believe that Rama rules Orchha during the day and returns to Ayodhya in the evening, a tradition that has earned Orchha its nickname as the Ayodhya of Madhya Pradesh.
The story behind this dates to the 16th century. King Madhukar Shah of Orchha was a devotee of Lord Krishna, while his queen, Rani Kunwar Ganesh, worshipped Lord Rama. Their religious differences often caused disputes. One day, the king challenged the queen, saying, “If Rama truly exists, then bring him to Orchha.”
Rani Ganesh Kunwar traveled to Ayodhya and performed 21 days of rigorous worship. Moved by her devotion, Lord Rama appeared in his child form and agreed to accompany her on three conditions: he would be the only king of Orchha, he would remain in the place he is installed, and he would travel at a specified time with certain monks. The queen accepted these conditions, and the idol of Rama (Ram Lalla) was brought to Orchha. Since then, Rama has been regarded as the sole king of Orchha, and even today, the police give him a guard of honor every day at the Ram Raja Temple. No other official is treated like a ruler in Orchha.
About Orchha
Orchha lies near Niwari in Madhya Pradesh, on the Betwa River, 126 km from Gwalior, 89 km from Tikamgarh, and 18 km from Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh. The town was established in the 16th century by Bundela Rajput ruler Rudra Pratap Singh Ju Deo, after 1501, as the seat of a princely state that included parts of central and north India.
Historical Background for Worshipping Lord Ram
The Ram Raja Temple was established during the reign of Madhukar Shah Bundela (1554–1592). Rani Ganesh Kunwar came from the Paramar Rajput family of Karhiya village in present-day Gwalior. Before the Chaturbhuj Temple was built, the queen carried the child form of Lord Rama from Ayodhya. As night fell, the idol was temporarily placed in the palace dining hall. Once the temple was constructed, no one could move the idol, which was seen as a divine miracle, prompting the palace itself to become a temple.
Also Read: Why Is Buying Gold, Silver, and Utensils Considered Auspicious on Dhanteras?
