Thinking of celebrating my mother's birthday and anniversary together, we have decided to surprise her by organizing a trip to Burdawan Rajbari - to be presise to Itachuna Rajbari. So we packed our bags and set our weekend journey to witness another royal ambience as well as Zamindari lifestyle.
Itachuna Rajbari is also known as " Bargee Danga" as Maratha warriors were named as Bargee by the Bengalis. There was a time when Marathas attacked Bengal repeatedly to collect CHAUTH and plundered and wreaked havoc in Bengal. Many such Bargees instead of returning to their homeland, settled in prosperous Bengal. One of them was the Kundans, who established themselves as "Bargee Darga" and converted to Vaishnavism and undertook the surname of Kundus and became local zamindar. The Rajbari was built in 1766 AD by Sri Safally Narayan Kundu and was renovated to its present form in 2012 by the 14th generation of the Kundus.
It is one such example of unforgettable vintage experience to its guests. It is a well-maintained property as well. Owing to its vicinity to Kolkata, it is also a perfect destination for a weekend staycation, located just 70 kms away from Kolkata but unfortunately no direct bus route is available - only by car or by train.
Strolling around 8 acres of land, the Rajbari is surrounded by orchards, gardens and ponds and it is divided into three parts- Dev Mahal, Ander Mahal and Bahir Mahal. Dev Mahal has a large courtyard right in front of the magnificient temple where devotees still assemble during Dol Utsab and Janmashtami. Ander Mahal has both kitchen and dining areas.
The rooms are named after different relations in a family ranging from grandmother and aunts to uncles and brothers. Even suites, private bunglows and huts -such as " Bilash and Manjari", "Dev probha" and" Aparajita, Madhabilata, Kanaklata and Jhumkolata."
HOW TO BOOK THESE ROOMS ???????????
Rooms can be checked and booked from the official website of the Rajbari at http://www.itachunarajbari.com/ or you can mail them and book these rooms at info@itachunarajbari.com
The Rajbari offers a delicious food escapade in the form of complimentary breakfast and a meal plan for one person at INR 600/- which includes both lunch and dinner. The meal plan serves vegetarian dishes. However, one has to pay extra cost for enjoying non-veg items such as fish, chicken and mutton.
The food is quintessentially Bengali and plated on shining brass utensils that exude the vibes of the past. The ghee and the misti doi of the lunch platter are homemade and lip- smacking. Meal plans at INR 300/- which include lunch and tea are also available for those who are opting only for a day out. Children's meal plans are also there.
The seemingly endless verandahs and corridors have been decorated with antique pieces and beautiful designed furnitures. But at night, while strolling across the verandahs, one can feel an errie ambience inside the Rajbari may be because of the past history of Kundus.
My mother also felt that uncanny moment at night when she was loitering at the long corridors after finishing her dinner. But i won't say, every residents residing in the Rajbari have experienced that feeling.
But still overall, this Rajbari is no doubt a splendid experience of staying. The Rajbari authorities organise daily guided tours in the afternoon. The guide narrates the history of Itachuna while walking the guests through here, there and everywhere of the Rajbari.
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