Puthia Rajbari

Puthia Rajbari, yet another stately structure narrating the Royal tale of ancient Golden Bangladesh. Puthia Rajbari is the magnificent palace built for Rani Hemanta Kumari in the year 1895. It is the only distinctive model of the spectacular Indo-European Revival architecture located in Rajshahi. The location of the Palace is at an expanse of 30 km from Rajshahi divisional city and only 1 km from Rajshahi-Natore highway. The Palace owns terracotta from pious places such as The Chotto Anik Temple, The Boro Gobindo Temple, and The Chotto Gobindo Temple. The Rajbari is currently being used by the Lashkarpur Degree College.

Puthia Rajbari has a very pacifying, tranquil, and natural external milieu enclosed by trenches. The trenches are widely known as Shiv Sarovar or Shivsagar, Marachowki, Bekichowki, Gopalchowki, and Govinda Sarobar respectively. There is also a huge pond within the compound which is named Shyamsagar in Puthia Rajbari.

Puthia Rajbari is divided and well organized into four courts. The Official Court or The Kachari Angan, The Temple Court or The Mandir Angan, The Inner Quarters or The Andar Mahal, and The Residence of Maharani Hemanti Kumari.

Puthia Rajbari is the ostentatious two-storied palace built facing a four-storied hefty pyramidal Dol Mancha Temple on the north, across open ground with a daunting 60.96 meters fascia. Entering the Palace is the grand portico which then subdivides into two symmetrical projected wings leading inwards. The west entrance gate leads to Kachari Angan while the other leads to Temple or Gobindabari courts. A wide decked terrace runs along the façade leading to the large halls behind. Three elegant semi-Corinthian fluted and heavily ornate pillars firmly hold the balcony roof. Similar gorgeous fluted pillars are on the first floor too. A grand elegant wooden set of steps leads to the upper floor on the east side. The upper floor has three rooms, two of which were used as treasuries. The western side has four rooms with two attached hemmed in verandahs and two more trifling rooms near the Govindabari. The proud Puthia Rajbari in Rajshahi has an appealing appearance as an ornamental terracotta Palace.

The broad and extensive area of the Palace has a number of graceful holy temples embellished with terracotta sculptures. Such sacred places are The Pancharatna Govinda Temple, a little yet beautiful Do-Chala shrine, the hut-shaped Jagaddhatri Temple, The Govinda Temple, The Abhinik Temple, and the large and distinguished Shiva Temple. The Shiva Temple is decorated with numerous miniature Ratnas or Jewels. Each temple has a very unique structure and exclusive adornments. Numerous exceptional idols and rare ancient religious structures, carvings are still existing in the beautiful terracotta temples.

Puthia Rahbari attracts a large number of local and foreign tourists on regular basis. The exceptional architecture and structure of the Palace, the rare terracotta structures, and the ancient temples are inspiring and one of a kind. Bangladesh indeed had a rich Mughal past story to be witnessed by one and all. Puthia Rajbari is open quotidian from 9 am to 5 pm.