Abandoned By Royal Family, Palace Starts Crumbling In Odisha’s Gajapati

Berhampur: The royal palace in Paralakhemundi of Gajapati district, where the movement for a separate Odisha was conceptualised, faces an uncertain future with the royal family abandoning the mammoth structure and the state government yet to take any steps for its preservation.

The Gajapati rulers of Paralakhemundi belonging to the Ganga Dynasty took the decision to build a permanent residence in 1835. The foundation stone was laid in that year during the rule of the Court of Wards as king Jagannatha Gajapati Narayan Deva-III was a minor. The royal palace was completed during 1843 within the lifetime of the Raja.

The grand structure was built in the style of Buckingham Palace of England by British engineer Robert Fellowes Chisholm at a cost of Rs 4.5 lakh, according to historians.

It has over 100 rooms with specially designed and wire-cut glazed bricks and white lime water pointing works. Granite pillars, Burma teak beams, imported stained glass windows, artistic grills and other rare materials used in the building speak volumes of the lifestyle of its owners as well as the skilled work force. The two-storey palace has long and wide corridors.

Its specialty is that if a person stands at the centre of the palace, he can view both sides like mirror image. With the thick walls having a width of 36 inch, the palace remains cool in the summer and warm in the winter. There is also no threat from lightning because of the mechanical arrangements.

The workers engaged in construction of the palace were mostly from Ganjam and Puri districts. The materials including stones used were brought from local sources like Malati Hills or Boya Konda and the other side of Mahendratanaya River.

The Gajapati families including Maharaja Krishna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Dev, who was one of the main architects of modern Odisha and the first Premier of the state, lived in the palace. After the demise of the last Gajapati Gopinath last year, the royal abode now lies unused and uncared. His daughter daughter Kalyani Devi stays at Purunapatna near Paralakhemundi.

With the palace starting to crumble, Purna Chandra Mahapatra, secretary of  Utkal Hitaishini Samaj has sought the intervention of the state government for its immediate renovation.