Dinajpur Rajbari

The Dinajpur rajbari was the seat of the family that built the Kantajew temple, one of the older estates of northern Bengal, and it is now largely in decay: the main blocks stand roofless in places with vegetation through the brick, and the estate is entered through a painted arched gate that survives in better condition. What remains in use are the temples: the Krishna temple in the inner courtyard is an active shrine, maintained and painted, and worship continues among the ruins around it, which is the particular character of the place. Parts of the grounds are occupied by later building. It is unrestored and unticketed, which makes it one of the more atmospheric estate ruins to walk.

History

The origins of the palace are unclear: local historians credit Raja Dinaraj Ghosh, documents name King Srimanta Dutta, and some believe it goes back to Raja Ganesha in the early 15th century, while the Aina Mahal, with its court hall of glass and marble, library and treasury, was built under the kings Prananath and Ramnath. The palace was the symbol of greater Dinajpur from 1806 to 1951, its ownership passed to the government under the East Bengal State Acquisition and Tenancy Act of 1950, and it was abandoned after the zamindari system ended in 1951, when Maharaja Girijanath left for India (Wikipedia, Dinajpur Rajbari).

Highlights

• The painted entrance gate - the surviving arch into the estate.
• Roofless mansion blocks - the estate buildings in decay.
• The active Krishna temple - worship continuing among the ruins.
• Vegetation through the brick - the decay that defines the site.

When to go

November to March. Two hours. Mornings are cooler. The temple is busiest at festival times. There is no ticket and no fixed hours.

What to expect

Most of the complex is ruinous and parts are unsafe to enter. There is no interpretation at all. The grounds are partly occupied and lived in. It rewards those who like decay and disappoints those who want a palace.

Nearby

Kantajew temple is north; Ramsagar lies south.

Key facts