Kashipur Panchakot Raj Palace

Stories of Kings and Queens always thrilled us. Visiting a Royal palace is a dream for a lot of us. If it is an old one, then we will become more curious. The craft and artifacts change from era to era. If you are someone who loves visiting historical places, you must visit Kashipur Raj Palace. This is a magnificent fort that showcases Purulia’s architectural heritage and royal past. Kashipur Panchakot Raj Palace is located about 25 km from Purulia, West Bengal. The name of the founder of this emperor was Raja Demoder Sekar Deo. It was built during the region of the Panchacot Raj dynasty in the 18th century by the Martin and Burn company, having a European style of architecture. The Palace is known for its architectural beauty and intricate design. This Palace contains many old artefacts and a special old temple of Durga mata. At the time of Durga puja, this old Palace was open for all visitors, and huge people came there to see this Raj Palace. The members of the Raj family came to this Palace during festival time.

Attraction

Kashipur Panchakot Raj Palace is a heritage and Royal Palace. It has many attraction sides:

Wonderful Architecture: The architecture of this Palace is mind-blowing. The use of local materials reflects the regional architecture tradition. Belgium painting glass, large chandeliers and Stone statues show the taste of royalty of the rule.
Michael Madhusudan Dutt: In 1872, famous poet Michael Madhusudan Dutt had worked with Kashipur Raj for a short time. He wrote “ Panchcot Giri”, “ Panchcot Giri Biday Sangeet “, “ Panchcotoshya Rajosree”, while he was associated with the Kashipur royal dynasty.
Historical significance: This Palace has a rich history that was connected to local royalty. The famous Panchakot Raj King ruled from here from around 1750 AD until independence.
Cultural significance: This Palace has local myth and stories that contributed to the cultural identity of Kashipur and its surroundings. The Panchacot Raj family has social contributions.

History

Kashipur Panchakot Raj Palace was established in 1916. Maharaj Jyoti Prakash Singh Deo built this Palace by bringing Mansons from China. The construction of this Palace had been going on for 12 years. Huge chandeliers were brought from Belgium. The entire Palace was decorated in a completely different form. The Panchakot Raj Palace underwent great change at the hands of Jyotiprasad Singh Deo, the great grandson of king Neelmani Singh Deo of panchakot dynasty. Maharaja Neelmani Singh Deo was the first ruler of Kashipur. The last ruler was Maharaja Bhuvaneswari Prasad Singh Deo. This Palace, built under his supervision, involved artisans from the USA. The Palace was decorated with glass paintings, marble stone statues, and taxidermy mouths of lions, deer, tigers, etc. a feast for the eyes. At present, the Princess lives here, and she handles all the responsibilities of the Palace.

Inside/Outside Views

Outside view: The outside View of Kashipur Panchakot Raj Palace has outstanding architectural elements. The Palace is surrounded by hills and forests, offering a unique opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the region. Front side of the Palace has well maintained gardens that are decorated with beautiful greenery plants. All of these make it a perfect place for tourists. From this Palace you can also see other places of Purulia.

Inside view: when you enter the Palace, you can see a huge iron gate. On the right side is a temple of Durga Mata. There are rows of rooms and structures all around the main Palace. Most of them are in a half broken state with wild plantations all around. The walls feature traditional paintings and carving that tell the stories of the region. Overall this Palace is beautiful. Kashipur Panchakot Raj Palace

How to Reach

By Road: Distance almost 36 km from Purulia to Kashipur. Nearest bus stop is Kashipur bus stand. From there you can easily take a bus or taxi.

By Air: The nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport. It is 70 km away from the station. From here, you can get direct transit from any city of India.

By Train: Kashipur has a railway station that is well connected to major cities. Transport is available to reach the palace. Another station is the Adra Railway Station. It is 7 km from Adra railway station and almost (10- 15) minutes to reach Kashipur.

Tips for Travellers

The best time to visit Panchakot Raj Palace is from October to March when the weather is pleasant.
Take permission from the local police station to enter this palace.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
To hire a local guide who can provide insights and information about the palace.
Try to know the weather update before going there.
Carry your necessary papers and passport.
Carry water bottles and medicine.
If you visit in summer times, try to stay hydrated.
Don’t forget to take sun protection.
Try to eat local cuisine and know about their tradition.
Don’t forget to capture a photo. Make sure that your phone battery is full and please carry a power bank.
Please be careful about your belongings, especially in the crowded moments. Otherwise, you will lose everything.
Show respect for local traditions and customs.

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