Jhansi is a city in Uttar Pradesh, a state of Northern India. It is a major road and rail junction and is the administrative seat of Jhansi District and Jhansi Division. The original walled city grew around its stone fort.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
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Visitors come to Jhansi to get a taste of the local history and culture. The Rani of Jhansi and her unflinching devotion towards her kingdom add to the aura of this place
In the 9th century, the region of Jhansi came under the rule of the Rajput Chandela dynasty of Khajuraho. About the fourteenth century the Bundelas poured down upon the plains from the Vindhya Range and gradually spread themselves over the whole of the Bundelkhand region which now bears their name.
The fortress of Jhansi was built by the ruler of Orchha state in 1610. Legend says that when a king of Orchha saw a shadow ('jhain' in Bundelkhand) on a distant mound, he is said to have called it jhain-si (kind of shadow). Jhansi got its name from this utterance.
In 1853 the Raja of Jhansi died childless and his territory was annexed by the Governor-General of India. Rani Lakshmibai, the widow of the Raja, protested the annexation because she was not allowed to adopt an heir. Rani Lakshmibai put herself at the head of the rebels and died bravely in battle in Gwalior. It was not until November 1858 that Jhansi was brought under British control. It had been given to the Maharaja of Gwalior, but came under British rule in 1886 as the result of a territorial swap. Jhansi was added to the United Provinces which became the state of Uttar Pradesh after India's Independence in 1947.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Jhansi is known for extreme climate. In winter, the mercury may drop to 2 C and on hottest summer day, it may rise to 48 C. But normally, winter temperature range between 6 C and 21 C. While summer temperatures hover between 24 C and 45 C.
The rainy season starts in the third week of June with Monsoon rain washing Central India. Monsoon rains gradually become weak in September and the season ends in the last week of September.
The best season to visit Jhansi is pre-winter and spring - October, November, February and March. From April to August, it is very hot and hence not advisable.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Foreign currency can be exchanged at the banks in the main city centre. Some of the hotels here also offer this service.
Fort of Jhansi: The fort of Jhansi was built in 1613, by Raja Bir Singh Judao (1606-27) of Orchha. This fort is built on a rocky hill and the city of Jhansi is around this fort. This wall has ten gates. Some of these gates still exist while some have vanished with time.
Rani Mahal: Rani Mahal or Queen's Palace was built by Raghunath II of the Newalkar family (1769-96). It is located in the heart of the city. Rani Mahal is decorated with multicolored paintings and art forms. Rani Mahal has been converted to a museum with artifacts belonging to the 9th and 12th century AD. The best way to reach Rani Mahal is to take an Auto from Elite Crossing to the City.
Government Museum: The Government Museum is situated in a very picturesque location in the heart of the city. The surrounding area has some beautiful parks. The 1857 Mutiny Memorial is on the way to the fort. The museum has a rich collection of sculptures, paintings and documents from different eras. A must see attraction during your visit to Jhansi; it will acquaint you with the history of the region.
St Jude's Shrine: This shrine is of great importance among Catholic Christians. St. Jude's bone is buried in the foundation of the cathedral. Devotees come from as far as Goa, on the St Jude's feast day on October 28, every year.
Orchha: is a town in Madhya Pradesh. It is 14 km/30 min from Jhansi city. Situated next to the bank of River Betwa, this town can be called a photographer's delight. It is full of architectural ruins, a village and a small market. Places to see here are fort, Jehangir Mahal, Sheesh Mahal. A good place to stay and the food is good at Orchha Resort.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Shopping:
Visitors to Jhansi cannot leave without the wax or ‘lac’ bangles as well as glass bangles and handicraft items. Seth Bandhu on 26 Gopal Neekhra has all types of cloth material sold at wholesale rates.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Where To Eat:
Nearly all mid-range hotels here have restaurants that offer good Indian and Continental food. Apart from these, throughout the city, one can find good eating places to suit every pocket. There are some roadside dhabas on the outskirts of the city too.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Where To Stay:
There are many budget hotels and lodges in the old city area too. If one wants to get a glimpse of the daily life of Jhansi, then staying in a hotel in the old city area which is noisy all the time, would be advisable.
Some mid-range hotels in Jhansi have their own restaurant and some even have a bar.
Nearly all the high-end hotels in Jhansi like Jhansi Hotel and Hotel Sita have multi-cuisine restaurants offering vegetarian and non vegetarian food. The rooms are mostly air conditioned and 24 hour room service is a norm but most of them have check out time at 12 noon.
Some of the best hotels are also available at Orchha, (15 km from Jhansi). They are Betwa Cottages & Resorts, Hotel Sheesh Mahal, Hotel Amar Mahal and The Orchha Resort.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
By Air Though Jhansi has an airport, it is not operational for civil flights as it is a base of Army Aviation. A new Greenfield airport is in the pipeline which would enable excellent connectivity with major metros and other important cities. The nearest operational airport to Jhansi is Gwalior (98 km).
By Road Jhansi is situated at a strategic location where the North-South and the East-West corridors (4 lane National Super Highways) intersect each other. National Highways #25, #26, and #75 go through Jhansi.
The main bus stand is at the eastern side of the city, on the Jhansi-Kanpur highway. Buses coming from Jaipur, Agra and Gwalior also stop here. Buses are available to visit nearby places as well as for travelling to different cities. These buses are available from the Railway Station, Elite Crossing and Main Bus Stand. U.P. State Roadways Corporation and M.P. State Roadways Corporation have a number of Bus services connecting to cities and towns around Jhansi. Some private operators also have luxury bus services on selected routes.
Auto Rickshaws and Tempos (Shared Auto Rickshaws) are available from the station to most parts of the city 24 hours. There is a pre-paid booth at the railway station for hiring Auto-Rickshaws. Taxis are also available at the railway station.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
There are a number of festivals/exhibitions worth watching, while in Jhansi. During festivities, one can witness the local culture with its customs and rituals more closely.
Jhansi Mahaotsav: This is a week long event (February end- March) including dance and music performances showcasing Bundelkhand's rich cultural heritage, various competitions, a handicraft fair and food festival.
State vegetable and flower exhibition: This is a three day exhibition, organised by the state government in the state gardens of NarayanBagh in the month of February. It features exhibits in various categories of vegetables, fruits and flowers. Farmers wait eagerly, for this event to exhibit their produce. During the event, the public gardens witness thousands of visitors and the place becomes like a mini fair. The main attraction is the dog show with competitions for dogs in many categories.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
From Jhansi, one can go conveniently in any direction, depending upon your further plans. There is a train route which can take you to Jabalpur, if you have an interest in the marble rocks of Bhedaghat. If you want to continue to explore religious places of Uttar Pradesh, then you can take a train for Chitrakoot, Allahabad(Prayag) and/or Varanasi(Kashi), farther east. The nearby places of interest are:
Sukma-Dukma Dam: An old, long and very beautiful dam over the Betwa River, approximately 45 km from Jhansi, near Babina town. Very scenic in the post-monsoon (winter) season.
MataTila Dam: Approximately 55 KM South of the Jhansi city, it's a very beautiful picnic spot. The dam is built on the river Betwa. There is a botanical garden near the dam site.
Deogarh: 123 km from Jhansi, near Lalitpur town. Situated on the Betwa River, it possesses remains of a fine Gupta period Vishnu temple and several old and beautiful Jain temples.
Orchha: 18 km from Jhansi on Jhansi-Khajuraho road, a small medieval city. It's famous for Lord Ram temple.
Khajuraho: 178 km from Jhansi. Deluxe buses ply from Jhansi railway station to Khajuraho during morning hours. Taxis are also available. One can visit Panna National Park which is 32 km from Khajuraho, and there are some waterfalls nearby.
Datia: 28 km from Jhansi on Jhansi-Gwalior-Agra-Delhi road. It's famous for the Shri Peetambra Devi temple and for a seven-storied palace built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo.
Shivpuri: 84 km from Jhansi. It was the summer capital of the Scindia rulers of Gwalior. It's famous for its marble chhatris (cenotaphs) built by the Scindias. There is also a big and beautiful lake with crocodiles in the beautiful Madhav National Park area where one can spot a great variety of wildlife.
