The Ram Raja Temple is a temple in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.[1] In Orchha, as well as the whole country, this is the only temple where Lord Rama is worshipped as a king and that also in a palace.
The story of Ram Raja Temple according to many local people goes like this: The King of Orchha King Madhukar Shah was a devotee of Banke Bhihari (Lord Krishna) while his wife was a devotee of Lord Ram. The King used to make fun of his wife, in a male supremist way, on her faith of lord Ram and insisted that she should start following Banke Bihari. The Queen couldn’t take it anymore, one day she decided to leave the palace and started the long journey to Ayodhya (Rama's birthplace) on foot to bring Lord Ram in some shape or form with her to Orchha. She didn’t tell the King before leaving but she ordered her servants to start building a temple (Chaturbhuj Temple) when she brings Lord Ram with her.
After reaching Ayodhya the Queen fasted for several days in Ram temple. The queen became very frail after several days had passed; eventually Lord Ram appeared in front of the queen. The queen requested Lord Ram to come with her to Ayodhya. Lord Ram agreed but he put forth three conditions: 1. Since Ram was "Maryada Purshottam" he said ..."I will take the form of a small child and then go with you", 2. "Once I reach Orchha, I will be the King of Orchha and not you and your husband", 3. "The moment xxx nakshtra sets in I will become immovable at will stay at that place forever". The Queen agreed and Lord Ram took the form of a baby and started his journey to Orchha in the Queens lap.
King Madhukar Shah meanwhile had a dream where Lord Banke Bihari scolded him on discriminating between Lord Ram and himself. Lord Banke Bihari reminded the King that Lord Ram and he are one and the same, there is no difference. King was very apologetic when he woke up and found out that the queen was returning from Ayodhya. The King went to receiver the queen with horses, elephants, servants, food, etc and apologised to the queen. The queen did not accept king’s apology and refused the comforts offered to her by the King. The Queen claimed that she now possessed everything one could ever as for (Lord Ram in baby form).
On returning back to Orchha the queen went back to her palace with baby Ram and retired in her room for the night, only to take Lord Ram to the Chaturbhuj temple. Incidentally xxx nakshtra set in during the night and Lord Ram transformed into an idol and got transfixed in the palace itself.
To this day the Ram Raja Temple is in the palace and not in the Chaturbhuj which is right next to the palace. Additionally as promised by the queen Lord Ram is the King (Raja) of Orchha, hence the name Ram Raja Temple.