Stand on the ramparts of Jhansi Fort at first light and the city below you is still waking: rooftops, temple spires and the rocky hill the fort was built on in 1613. Jhansi sits in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the Pahuj River, and it is known as the Gateway to Bundelkhand.
The city suits travellers who are passing through the Bundelkhand region and want a compact dose of history, architecture and local festival culture, whether they arrive by road or by rail. Most of the sights cluster around the fort and the old city, with a few worthwhile excursions along the Betwa river.
This guide covers the places worth your time in and around Jhansi, a workable one-day plan, and answers to the questions travellers ask most often.
Top things to do in Jhansi
1. Fort of Jhansi (Jhansi Fort)
The fort was built in 1613 by Raja Bir Singh Judao of Orchha, on a rocky hill with the city wrapped around it. In earlier days a wall ran all around Jhansi city with ten gates, and although some gates have vanished with time, the areas around them are still known by their names, among them Khandero Gate, Datia darwaza, Unnao gate, Jharna Gate, Laxmi Gate, Sagar Gate, Orchha Gate, Sainyar Gate and Chand gate.
It is open from dawn to dusk daily, with an entry fee of ₹5. Come early in the morning for cooler air and softer light, and pair the visit with the Government Museum and Rani Mahal, which are close by in the heart of the city.
2. Rani Mahal (Queen's Palace)
Rani Mahal was built by Raghunath II of the Newalkar family and is decorated with multicoloured paintings and art forms. It has been converted into a museum holding artefacts from the 9th and 12th century AD.
It is open Sunday to Tuesday, 10AM to 5PM, and sits in the heart of the city close to Jhansi Fort. The easiest way to reach it is to take an auto from Elite crossing to the city.
3. Government Museum
The Government Museum occupies a picturesque location in the heart of the city, surrounded by beautiful parks. On one side is Deen Dayal Sabhagar, the city auditorium, and nearby you will find Vrindavan Lal Verma park, an open-air theatre, Rani Lakshmi Bai Park and a magnificent view of Jhansi Fort. On the way to the fort there is the 1857 Mutiny Memorial, a small park where the mutiny is depicted with statues made from metal scrap.
The museum holds a rich collection of sculptures, paintings and documents from different eras, and it will acquaint you with the history of the region. It is open Sunday to Tuesday, 10:30AM to 4:30PM.
4. Jhansi Mahaotsav
This week-long event is organised by the state government's tourism department, usually from the end of February into the beginning of March. It includes dance and music performances showcasing Bundelkhand's cultural heritage, such as suata, rai dance and alha songs, along with various competitions, a handicraft fair and a food festival.
The main events are held in the open-air auditorium near the state archeological museum in the evening sessions, with the fort standing in the background bathed in yellow light. Competitions such as mehandi, rangoli and recipe contests are organised in the state archeological museum premises, while the handicraft fair and some other competitions take place in Rani Lakshmibai park, across the open air auditorium. Entry is free for all the events.
5. Barua sagar
Baruasagar is a small town on the bank of the Betwa river, around 24 km from Jhansi, and it has a large lake called Barua sagar tal. The places to see here are the fort, Jarai-ka-Math and the lake.
It lies on the Jhansi-Varanasi route, and all the buses that go to Khajuraho pass through this town, which makes it an easy stop to combine with a longer journey.
6. St Jude's Shrine
This shrine is of great importance among Catholic Christians, and St Jude's bone is buried in the foundation of the cathedral. Devotees come from as far as Goa for the St Jude's feast day on October 28 each year.
The feast day is marked by a week-long fair and a procession on the last day of the fair, and the fair attracts people of all faiths and religions.
7. Chirgaon
Chirgaon is 30 km from Jhansi, on the banks of the Betwa river and on National Highway 25. It is famous for the national poet Maithili Sharan Gupt, who was from Chirgaon, and Hindi authors generally describe the Triveni of poets from Chirgaon by comparing them with the Triveni of the Ganges.
It makes a straightforward half-day trip if you are already travelling along the highway.
8. Nag Mandir
This temple is in Jhansi cantonment. The beauty of the place is in visiting it during sunrise, when the view takes in tree groves and the aura of Jhansi.
Plan it as an early start before the rest of your day in the city.
9. State vegetables and flowers exhibition
This three-day exhibition is organised by the state government in the state gardens of Narayan Bagh in the month of February. It features exhibits in various categories of vegetables, fruits and flowers, with competitions in those categories as well as in the home garden category, and farmers wait for the event eagerly to exhibit their produce.
During the event the public gardens become like a mini fair, and the main attraction is the dog show, with competitions for dogs in many categories.
10. Theatres
There are three cinema halls in the city, mostly showing Hindi films from Bollywood, and some halls show Hollywood movies as well. The best theatres to watch a movie are at the cinema hub where Natraj, Khilona and Elite are situated.
From Jhansi railway station you can reach the cinema hub of the city in 10 minutes by a tempo. Khilona is on Elite-Sipri Road, Natraj is on Elite-Sipri Road, and Elite is at Elite Square.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Nag Mandir in Jhansi cantonment at sunrise, then head to the Fort of Jhansi when it opens at dawn and walk the hill while the air is still cool. Continue to Rani Mahal, open from 10AM, and the Government Museum, open from 10:30AM, both in the heart of the city.
Afternoon: Take an auto from Elite crossing into the city for lunch, then spend the early afternoon at the Government Museum's surrounding parks, including Rani Lakshmi Bai Park and the 1857 Mutiny Memorial on the way to the fort.
Evening: If you are travelling between the end of February and the beginning of March, spend the evening at Jhansi Mahaotsav in the open-air auditorium near the state archeological museum, where the fort is lit up behind the performances. Otherwise, catch a film at one of the theatres around Elite Square, Khilona or Natraj.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Jhansi for festivals?
Jhansi Mahaotsav runs for a week around the end of February and the beginning of March, and the state vegetables and flowers exhibition is held over three days in February at Narayan Bagh. The St Jude's feast day falls on October 28, with a week-long fair and a procession on the last day.
How do I get around the main sights in the city?
The fort, Rani Mahal and the Government Museum are all in the heart of the city close to one another. For Rani Mahal, the best way to reach it is to take an auto from Elite crossing to the city, and the cinema hub with Natraj, Khilona and Elite is about 10 minutes from Jhansi railway station by tempo.
What can I see outside the city?
Barua sagar is around 24 km from Jhansi, on the bank of the Betwa river, with a fort, Jarai-ka-Math and a large lake. Chirgaon is 30 km from Jhansi, on the banks of the Betwa river and on National Highway 25. Buses heading to Khajuraho pass through Barua sagar.
Is there anything worth doing in the evening?
During Jhansi Mahaotsav the main events are held in the open-air auditorium near the state archeological museum in the evening sessions, with the fort lit up in the background. At other times you can watch a Hindi or Hollywood film at one of the city's three cinema halls.
Use this guide to sketch your route, check the festival dates that suit you, and start planning your trip to Jhansi.