Ranpur Palace - Nayagarh
Just by thinking of the building, one of Odisha’s royal heritage may look deserted and abandoned now, but long ago, it was the residence of the emperor of the state, where functions and fairs were celebrated lavishly. A testament, still looks alluring to be seen, just with the ruins and remnants of the place. Surrounded by the Puri district on three sides and by Nayagarh in the west, the place is once the capital city of the state. Basara Basuk was said to have defeated the demon Ranasura in a fierce battle, leading to the town named after him. Raj-Ranpur or Ranpur is known for its rich history and cultural significance. The original province of Ranpur is from Khurda to Kantilo, known from ancient texts, like Kapila Samhita and Srimad Bhagawat shows the mention of the place Ranpur as proof of the town’s dictatorship.
Specific Architecture of Ranpur Palace:
Crystalline carvings of elephants and fighters in horses chiselled on both sides of the building mark the ruler’s bravery and courage. The mansion consists of a Darbar Hall (Room of discussions), Rani Mahal, and some guest houses. The place once largely celebrated Durga Puja and its respective festivals. It can be seen the moat and rampart walls through the ruins now. Traditionally built in Odia style using laterite and granite adds extra glorious attractions in the carved pillars and arches with intricate designs on the front porch with five openings, and the base floor where seven windows with doors attached were still there without any damage is a sight to behold to know that the place where our ancestors woke up daily is a prestigious thing to feel.
History of Ranpur Palace:
Said to be the mansion of Basara Basuk’s heirlooms, it is now a wall of silence. The castle also had a Jagannath temple, like the one in Puri district. Ranpur Site is also said to have run an annual rath yatra from June to July, but now, in an almost crumbling stage, soulful architecture in a serene environment. Until 1814, the place was governed by generations of the kings of Odisha’s tribal states, who were constantly ruling over the place for around 3600 years. It finally merged with Odisha after signing off on its accession to the Indian Union in 1948 January 1. The last king of the town was Raja Dilip Chandra Bajradhar Narendra Mahapatra. The monarch of later periods received the title of Narendra from the medieval-era Eastern Ganga dynasty ruler named Ananga Bhimadeva in paying respect to his skills on the battlefield. The princely state Ranpur then merged into Odisha in post-independence. Let Ranpur Palace captivate you with its fusion of Oriental beauty and Occidental flair, wrapped delicately in an aura of mystery. For within its walls, the secrets of Odisha's rich history patiently await discovery by those who accept its wordless invitation to explore a kingdom from a bygone era.
How to reach Ranpur Palace by nearest ways:
By Air : Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, India, is the nearest airport to reach Bhubaneswar Airport, known as Biju Patnaik Airport. From there, you can hire a cab or taxi to reach Ranpur Palace, which takes around 2 hours to reach the place.
Hirasar Airport and Bhavnagar Airport, Gujarat, are also nearby to Bhubaneswar Airport.
By Train :Nayagarh Railway Station is the nearest railroad to reach Ranpur Palace at 32km. You can hire a taxi or cab from the railway station to the palace.
By Road :Public and private transportation is available from Ranpur town or from or to Nayagarh main town, and roads are well connected to the major cities, making travel easy.