Rajbari
About Rajbari
Far From City: 1 kms from city center
Cost:
About Rajbari
Weather:
Time Required:2-3 hrs
Open Time:Palace: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM,Museum: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed on Fridays)
Cost:INR 10,Kids (below 14 years): Free
History of Rajbari
Rajbari or the Cooch Behar Palace was built by Maharaja Nripendra Narayan in 1887. His father, Maharaja Narendra Narayan ruled as a Maharaja from 1841 to 1863. Narendra Narayan was adopted by his uncle, Shivenra Narayan after his son died. Soon after, Shivenra Narayan passed away, and the throne was left for Narendra Narayan, who was underage at the time and could rule Cooch Behar only after attaining age.
Narendra Narayan had two sons Nripendra Narayan and Jatindra Narayan. After his death in 1863, the eldest son Nripendra Narayan succeeded to the throne when he was just about a year old. The administration, however, was handled by a commissioner appointed by the Governor. The Commissioners brought about the modernization of the administration which was later on continued when Maharaja Nripendra Narayan came of age and attained control as a ruler.
He married Smt. Sunity Devi in 1878 and built the Cooch Behar Palace in 1887. They had two sons, Rajendra Narayan and Jitendra Narayan, who succeeded the throne after their father's death. Jitendra Narayan's son was the last Maharaja of Cooch Behar who managed the administration of the state and the Victor Jubilee Palace.
Architecture of Rajbari
The Rajbari or the Cooch Behar Palace is a grand monument constructed in the Italian Renaissance form of architecture. The entire monument expands gracefully over an area of 51,000 square feet; about 390 feet long and 296 feet wide and is a brick-built structure. The monument stands 125 feet tall from the ground and has the entrance on the ground floor with a projected porch that leads to the Durbar Hall. The first floor has a series of beautiful arcaded verandas with alternately arranged piers in double and single rows. The palace houses over 50 rooms including bedrooms, dressing rooms, billiard room, kitchen, dining hall, dancing hall, library, Tosha khana and the ladies gallery.
Durbar Hall at Rajbari
A splendid porch positioned in the centre of the monument serves as an entrance to Rajbari through the Durbar Hall. The Durbar Hall has a beautiful metal dome with a cylindrical louvre on the top that also acts as a ventilator. The dome is at 124 feet high from the ground level and is built in the traditional Italian Renaissance architecture. The dome also is beautifully carved in step pattern and rests on four arches supported by huge Corinthian columns adorned with a lantern on the top. Several small yet elegant balconies also surround the dome of the Durbar Hall.
Best time to visit Rajbari
The best time to visit Rajbari is between November and February as the weather is pleasant during the season with the maximum temperature ranging from 23 to 27 degrees Celcius and minimum ranging from 9 to 13 degrees Celcius. April to June are the summer months with temperatures ranging from a maximum of 33 degrees Celcius the s and minimum of 20 degrees Celcius whereas the Monsoon months, July to October, receive an average annual rainfall of about 3200 mm.
How to Reach Rajbari
Rajbari is accessible by road from any part of the Cooch Behar District by public transport. The nearest railway station is the New Cooch Behar Railway Station which is just about 8 kilometres away from the palace. Tourists can hail public transportation and reach the palace via SH12/A or SH16.
The closest airport is the Cooch Behar Airport which is just about a 20 minutes ride away. Visitors can hail public transport and take the route via SH12A or SH16 to reach the beautiful Cooch Behar Rajbari.
Top Tourist Places in Cooch Behar
Sagardihi
Madan Mohan Temple
Light and Sound Show
Baneswar Siva Temple
All Tourist Places in Cooch Behar
Tips
1. No food items are allowed inside the palace premises.2. Provisions have been made for clean drinking water for visitors.3. Toilet facilities are available.4. Photography is not allowed inside the main building.
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