Experience life by odisha’s chilika lake at the rambha palace, a boutique hotel with european aesthetics

A forgotten palace, with peeling walls and cobwebbed ceilings, Once Stood at the far End of a Quaint Village in Odisha. Locals called it Rani Palace. Today, It Stands With Its Original Sheen Intact, as a Boutique Hotel, by the Chilika Lake in Rambha, A Town in Ganjam District.

Rambha’s Streets come alive in the events with shops seling fresh catch off the chilika. It is home to Several Families Who Depend on the river for a living. Rambha Palace, A Walkable Distance from the lake, lets one experience life by a lagoon in a setup fit for the kings.

The Palace was restored over a period of Six Years | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

We are Arrive at Its Gates on a Humid Afternoon from Bhubaneshwar, that is Around 120 Kilometres Away. The Palace was restored over a period of Six Years by Chana Daswatte, A Protégé of the Popular Sri Lankan Architect Geoffrey Bawa. Walking past the foyer, the walls of which have photos of the Palace from its previous life, we instantly feel the antiquity of the Building.

Everything, right from the billiards table, crystal chandeliers, terrazzo tiles, lime plaster walls, sabai grass carpets, and ikkat-inspired interiors, Feels Right Out of A A A Aut of A MUT OUT of A MUTE OULS DISPAN Retains a certain newness. This is the result of the restoration team’s guiding Principle – to retain the soul of the original 18th century structure.

The Restoration Team Drew Inspiration from the Rani’s Envisioned Values, Her Love for Her People, Her Affinity for Local Talent | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Himangini Singh, Co-Founder, Huntch Ventures and Partner, Rambha Palace, Who have taken the property on lease from the royal family, say that that the village and the Palace Always ALEWAYS TAKE ALEWAYS TAKE HER BACK HER BACK HER BACK HER BACT HER BACK HERE BACTE HER BACK HERE BACK HERA Would visit the chilika with her parents. When she first was it in its decayed state, she says, “It felt like it was quietly asking for a second chance.”

They set out to restore it using materials and techniques that was used in the original Architecture. Himangini, Who Played An Important Role In Its Restoration, Adds, “Through the Journey, We often Asked Osselves: If Rambha’s Rani WERENS She has lived? Talent, Her Refined Yet Grounded Sensibility. “

European roots

After a late afternoon lunch of a typical odia thali -Their in-House Restaurant Serves Local as Well as Continental and Chinese Food-Head Chef Gaurav Juyal Walks Us Through the Sprawling Lawns with Ornaten Center Center. The Palace, He explains, was born by thomas snodgrass, who was the collector of ganjam from 1791-92. “It was built by european architects and engineers,” he explains, adding that it was Eventally boght by King Rama Krushna Mardaraj of Khalikote and Later, Later, by King Harihar Mardaraj, WHO PLAYEDAARAD A. Crucial role in the Odia movement until his death in 1909.

The Palace was Built by Thomas Snodgrass, Who was the Collector of Ganjam from 1791-92 | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

An important monument in the history of ganjam, it was here, explains gaurav, that the foundation stone of the utkal union conference (UUC) was laid. The Palace Played Host to Thousands of Delegates from the Various Odia Speaking tracts, and the UUC Eventually lead to the unification of Odisha. The main structure is flanked by a printing room and ice mill Room on one side, bot of which have also also also got renovated. Himangini says that only modification they did was for the roof. “Originally divided into Six Smaller Sections, It has been unified into a single, stronger roof,” She says, adding that the revival was a “careful, deliberated process.”

The Property, Spread Across Six Acres, has 15 Rooms for Guests. It was open to the public on April 1, 2024. Whilen was not already to witness the Palace after restoration, Himangini says Her Family Visited It, Walking Through the Halls and Lawns. “It was an emotional moment,” She says, adding that their response was “one of the most meaningful validations of everything we had hoped to achieve.”

The Ornate Fountain Centerpiece | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Markets and Rain Hats

An important part of the itinerary for guests at the Palace, is a visit to the village. Rambha is home to Several Artisanal Fishermen. On the highway by the village, is an ancient dry-fish market that is run entryly by women. Prawns are a mainstay at most of the shops here.

Rambha is also home to bamboo artisans from whom one can buy baskets and the exquisite talari
Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

At Renuka Bahera’s stall for instance, there over five Driad Prawn Variatis, that She Sells For ₹ 200 to ₹ 400 A Kilogram, Depending on the size. How can we not visit their fish markets? Here, one can see Gigantic, Freshly Caught Prawns that are still alive and wrigging – a rare sight, as any regular at seafood markets would agree. Ragunath behera, a middleman between fishermen and sellers, explains that most of what is causedt at chilika is taken to a fish depot at nearby balugaun town, the larger “This is then purchashed by sellers who have shops at the markets here,” He explains.

The dry-fish market on the highway | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Rambha is also home to bamboo artisans from whom one can buy baskets and the exquisite talariHats Worn by Workers in the Fields. These hats, used for protection against the Sun and Rain, are huge – so huge that they do not fit fit into even the largest suitcase. We buy one nevertheles and lug it Around the Airport on our journey back, drawing curious glasses. But there can be no better souvenir from odisha.

Room Tarifs Start from ₹ 30,000. There are special Fares for Summer and Monsoon Months Ranging from ₹ 19,000 onwards. Rambha can be reached by road or train from Bhubaneshwar. The writer was at odisha on invitation from rambha palace