So, my friends, today I will take you to the most unique place in our country, to the district of Mayurbhanj in a state named Odisha at…the Beautiful Belgadia Palace.
It’s a beautiful place to enjoy a weekend trip. The place is only 268 km away from Kolkata and it will take only five to six hours to reach here. It’s an enchanting and historical place situated in the midst of lush green trees. The palace is located between the Simlipal and Baripada forest reserves of Orissa, which is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
This place will take you to another world, not the middle world probably, but envelop you in an aura of history. There are several activities you can try out here or just relax and look at the blue rolling mountains from the property itself.
Maharani Sumitra Devi Bhanj Deo, gave the orders to construct the palace in 1804. Her descendants used the palace as a royal guest house. The present interiors were built during the reign of Maharajah Sriram Chandra Bhanj Deo, the most famous of the rulers in the Mayurbhanj region, preceded by Maharajah Krushna Chandra Bhanj Deo and succeeded by Pratap Chandra Bhanj Deo.The overall construction is a melange of Victorian and Greek style of architecture, and replicated the style of the Buckingham Palace.
The Belgadia Palace is the residence of the current Maharajah Praveen Chandra Bhanj Deo, the queen of Mayurbhanj Rashmi Rajyalaxmi Bhanj Deo from the royal family of Jaisalmer, the queen mother Bharati Rajya Lakshmi Devi (daughter of King Tribhuvan of Nepal), and daughters Mrinalika M Bhanj Deo and Akshita M Bhanj Deo.
The foods are really mouth watering and delicious. You can take your taste buds for a trip of the lavish Bengali and Odisha cuisine here. The staff is really courteous, cooperative and they maintain all the Covid-19 safety rules and regulations.
The various kinds of rooms here are the Heritage Standard Room, Heritage Deluxe Room and the Heritage Junior Suite.
Regarding sight seeing, here is a beautiful waterfall named as Sitakunda just 20km away from here. There’s a beautiful dam located nearby which is accessible by foot. Another attraction here is the Simlipal National Forest but presently it is closed due to the pandemic situation. It will be reopening soon on 1st November, 2021. However it is preferable to visit Simlipal as a separate trip. The Mayurbhanj palace in Baripada is also a nearby tourist place.
Above all the nature itself here is a treat to eyes as well as dramatic! It changes it’s face according to the time of the day.
As we came here during Durga Puja, we enjoyed a beautiful Mayurbhanj Chhau dance and music by the local artists. There was an artistic exhibition of Dokra, a local form of art made by the local craftsmen. These things were indeed a beautiful experience for us.
What’s more? Just pack your bag and come to this beautiful place for a different kind of a weekend trip .
Keep travelling as a concept in your mind.
