Marooned by the wilderness of Asia’s largest biosphere in Simlipal, a quaint boutique heritage property, popularly known as Belgadia Palace, sandwiched between Baripada & Simlipal forest reserves, can be a perfect weekend getaway for travellers seeking to retire in laps of nature with a side of digital detox.
It was designed as a home for visiting foreign dignitaries who were invited to stay with the Mayurbhanj royal family. It was constructed in the 1800s in the Victorian architectural style with Georgian decor features. The property was given the name palace during the union of the princely state with the Union of India in honour of the royal family, who made it their principal abode after freedom. Formerly the residence of the Mayurbhanj royal family, the Belgadia Palace, which sits on 15 acres of Eastern countryside, has been meticulously restored to its original state.
The Palace is a stunning piece of Kalinga history that redefines the idea of a boutique hotel and is located 4-5 hours from the state capitals of Odisha, Bengal, and Jharkhand. Tucked away in the sleepy old town of Baripada in Mayurbhanj, Odisha, the Belgadia Palace, a restored tropical art deco haven with contemporary conveniences, brings to life its past as a haven for artists while being surrounded by the untamed natural beauty of the Odia region.
If you've a fetish for antique books, you're in a treat here. A sight for sore eyes, a stay here takes you back to the bygone era with rooms packed with gleaming antique furniture, chandeliers, and other trinkets that reflected well-travelled residents with refined tastes.
If you have a book fetish, you're in a treat here. The library's shelves are crammed with diverse books, and while you're on it, you can quickly lose track of time & get lost in the world of all things black & white. And as you walk upstairs, you'll witness the walls decorated with framed family photos and large oil paintings, screaming stories about their glorious past.
Things To Do Around Belgadia Place
Attend A Chhau Performance
The Ramayana and the Mahabharata are two Hindu Hindu epics that are acted out in this semi-classical folk dance, along with scenes from other Hindu epics and celebrations of the state army's skill in martial arts. Under the Bhanj dynasty's patronage, the dance style attained its pinnacle.
Get One With The Dokra Artist
Dokra is a lost-wax casting made of non-ferrous metals. A few tribal populations in India have used this type of metal casting for almost 4,000 years, and they still do now. A six-generation dokra artist visits the Palace to display his work, tell his life story, and provide insight into this disappearing art form.
Discover The Cascading Waterfalls In The Simlipal National Park
Simlipal Elephant and Tiger Reserve, a UNESCO Biosphere and one of India's most well-known wildlife parks, is only 40 kilometres from the palace. Explore the beautiful Barheipani and Joranda waterfalls, two of India's tallest waterfalls, or go for a stroll and lunch by the bubbling creek river at Lulung, which is well-known for its bird-watching opportunities.
Spend A Day With The Craftsmen At Handicraft Village
Furniture and handicrafts made from Sabai are well-known in Mayurbhanj. Visitors can take a picturesque journey to see local self-help group ladies making Sabai grass crafts. These clusters are made up entirely of female weavers who produce a variety of bowls, trays, table mats, and wall hangings.
How To Reach Belgadia Palace
It is well connected to Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Balasore, Jamshedpur, etc., via road and rail.
Nearest Airport: Biju Patnaik Int. Airport Bhubaneswar (257 km away from Belgadia)
To book a stay at Belgadia Palace, click here.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s your time to unearth the mysteries of the Mayurbhanj dynasty and get one with the best-kept secrets of the royal palace.
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