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Time Travel At Itachuna Rajbari
If history and romance are the two things that intrigue you then Itachuna Rajbari is must go. A quick weekend trip from Kolkata (around two hours by road which I must say is very well maintained), this place has all the amenities of a modern resort blended in a glorious heritage architecture.
Why Itachuna?
So why Itachuna you may ask? Well since a long time I have been hearing stories that the place is haunted – that mixed with the fact that it has a royal past created enough impetus for me to visit it. The foodie in me was also keen to taste the royal thalis which were so well praised by many I knew who visited the place. Altogether, and the desperate need for a quick getaway prompted me us to plan the visit.
The First Look
The first look was to be honest not too amazing as the place is in the crowded lanes of a suburban city. As you enter the premises however, you are transported to a place far away from the din of the city. It abounds in natural beauty and the huge bougainvillea shrub at the entrance is an eye catcher. With flowers all around, this immaculately clean heritage structure immediately puts you at ease and you pat your back congratulating yourself for a perfect destination choice.
Photo credits: Inside 1: gypsiediaries.net; Inside 1A: gypsiediaries.net
The Heritage Property
The rooms in the property are named after the members of the family – we choose to stay in the grand-mothers room (thakumar ghar) which was huge and had the perfect antique furniture that matched the ambience. The other rooms were boro-boudir ghor, (elder sister in laws room) Choto-boudir ghar, (younger sister in laws room) to name a few of them – in fact anyone who has grew up in a Bengali joint family will immediately relate to these names. The tastefully decorated with vintage furniture however is modernized for ease of the guests.
Divided into five mahallas – a village Courthouse, a Ballet Dancing Hall, Kitchen house, Guest house and an Andar Mahal for ladies – according to me the most attractive feature of the Rajbari is its terrace which is huge and overlooks the entire building. We went there in the afternoon when it was completely deserted and the slightly eerie atmosphere of the place made the stay more magical. It seemed to whisper stories and evoked a feeling of nostalgia making one remember the past when Bengal was reeling under the violent attacks of Maratha bargis. It is said that one of the Maratha bargi families had set up their base in Itachuna and this zamindari property was set up by them. Till this day the property retains its old magic but at the same time it is very well maintained.
The Food Story
A detailing of trip to this property cannot end without mentioning the food. If you are keen to have proper Bengali food this is the perfect place. You can select from your choice of thalis and add your special dishes a top up. From mutton kasha, prawn malaikari, to pabda jhal, bhetki kalia – you can choose your pic and savor a traditional Bengali meal.
The only regret that I have and I hate to spill it is that the place is not haunted at all – except for the deserted terrace, nowhere, even for a single moment did I feel the sense of eeriness. So ghosts no − but heritage, history, romance and good food – yes!
To sum up if you are looking for a quick vacation with good food and some element of adventure this could be a good option.
Photo credits: Banner Left – gypsiediaries.net; Banner Center – eastindiatour.com; Banner Right – bengalweekend.com
Why Itachuna?
So why Itachuna you may ask? Well since a long time I have been hearing stories that the place is haunted – that mixed with the fact that it has a royal past created enough impetus for me to visit it. The foodie in me was also keen to taste the royal thalis which were so well praised by many I knew who visited the place. Altogether, and the desperate need for a quick getaway prompted me us to plan the visit.
The First Look
The first look was to be honest not too amazing as the place is in the crowded lanes of a suburban city. As you enter the premises however, you are transported to a place far away from the din of the city. It abounds in natural beauty and the huge bougainvillea shrub at the entrance is an eye catcher. With flowers all around, this immaculately clean heritage structure immediately puts you at ease and you pat your back congratulating yourself for a perfect destination choice.
Photo credits: Inside 1: gypsiediaries.net; Inside 1A: gypsiediaries.net
The Heritage Property
The rooms in the property are named after the members of the family – we choose to stay in the grand-mothers room (thakumar ghar) which was huge and had the perfect antique furniture that matched the ambience. The other rooms were boro-boudir ghor, (elder sister in laws room) Choto-boudir ghar, (younger sister in laws room) to name a few of them – in fact anyone who has grew up in a Bengali joint family will immediately relate to these names. The tastefully decorated with vintage furniture however is modernized for ease of the guests.
Divided into five mahallas – a village Courthouse, a Ballet Dancing Hall, Kitchen house, Guest house and an Andar Mahal for ladies – according to me the most attractive feature of the Rajbari is its terrace which is huge and overlooks the entire building. We went there in the afternoon when it was completely deserted and the slightly eerie atmosphere of the place made the stay more magical. It seemed to whisper stories and evoked a feeling of nostalgia making one remember the past when Bengal was reeling under the violent attacks of Maratha bargis. It is said that one of the Maratha bargi families had set up their base in Itachuna and this zamindari property was set up by them. Till this day the property retains its old magic but at the same time it is very well maintained.
The Food Story
A detailing of trip to this property cannot end without mentioning the food. If you are keen to have proper Bengali food this is the perfect place. You can select from your choice of thalis and add your special dishes a top up. From mutton kasha, prawn malaikari, to pabda jhal, bhetki kalia – you can choose your pic and savor a traditional Bengali meal.
The only regret that I have and I hate to spill it is that the place is not haunted at all – except for the deserted terrace, nowhere, even for a single moment did I feel the sense of eeriness. So ghosts no − but heritage, history, romance and good food – yes!
To sum up if you are looking for a quick vacation with good food and some element of adventure this could be a good option.
Photo credits: Banner Left – gypsiediaries.net; Banner Center – eastindiatour.com; Banner Right – bengalweekend.com
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