Itachuna Rajbari -- A destination of history and thrill

Itachuna Rajbari is a perfect place to spend a leisurely weekend. It is located at Khanyan, Hoogly district. It is around 80 kms from Kolkata. This is not a Rajbari (King's palace) so to say. This was the palace of the Maratha Bargi (Tax Collector). They came to Bengal and fell in love with this place and started living here. They adopted the title "Kundu" and converted themselves to Vaishnab religion.
It was spring time and the weather was pleasant. We started our journey at 8 am in a car. We took the Durgapur Expressway and had some breakfast at Hindusthan Hotel. We took a right turn from there and drove towards Rajbari. The whole journey was covered within 3 hours and reached there before noon. The road condition is mostly excellent and the journey was smooth.

After some initial paper works at front office, we were taken to the Baithakkhana (drawing room). The double barrel guns, giant sized hatpankhas (hand fans), fishing rods, swords, Indian musical instruments reminded us of the golden days of the Zamindars. We enjoyed the antique decoration of the room with a glass of Sharbat.

The rooms of the Rajbari have been named after the person used to stay there, such as Baro Thakuma (elder grand mother) , Chhoto Thakuma (younger grand mother), Chhotopisi(younger aunt) etc. We got the room ' Baropisi' (elder aunt) which was on the 1st floor. The room was a perfect blend of heritage and modernity. That included TV, air conditioner,neat and clean Palanka (bed), heritage fan and even a mosquito repellent 😉. Here I can't forget to mention the floor to wall ' Khirki' windows. The room was much airy and we got a very beautiful scenic view because of that. The 1st floored rooms were a bit expensive.

About 1.15 at noon, we got a call for  the lunch. The dining hall was nice with separate four-seated arrangement. As there was a rush, we had to wait for some time.  A big sofa, cushions, Khirki windows never made us annoyed for the waiting. The dining stuffs showed good gestures and took care of our comfort during the waiting time. The lunch was grand - loochi, rice, chicken, alu posto, alu vaja, cholar daal, chatni and much more to digest. They served it in brass metal and all items were delicious. As we were traveling with our 2 years old son, they served him customized food before our lunch as per our request.

Around 4:30 pm, they organized a guided tour of the Rajbari, which we missed. However, we compensated more than by our own tour of the same around 6:30 pm, when the darkness makes the past alive. The barren alleys, life sized oil paintings, light and shadows through the corridors, and the dead silence - it was a perfect recipe for a horror film. We soak every last bit of adventure and solitariness. It was perhaps the best time during our stay.

Now I must write some lines on the Natmandir and Thakur-dalan. It was the eve of Holi. A full-moon night accompanied us beautifully. The Zamindaars, adopted to Vaishnab religion, celebrates this occasion in grand style. The heirs still come and join hand in various rituals. At first,we witnessed a grand Aarati. After that Lord Shree Krishna and Radharani were taken to have a bath in a Rath (Chariot). This ritual is called Rathayatra which was followed by  the Prasada distribution.

The Natmandir, a big, specious, well constructed, open air  place was in front of the Thakurdalan. The area was as big as a football ground. The heritage lamp post, the Andarmahal surroundings, Thakurdalan and the natural canopy of a moonlit sky made the venue just perfect.We spent there more than 2 hours but did not get the feel how the time had flew by so quickly. Our kid enjoyed the open space at Natmandir.

Around 10 at night we had our dinner. Dinner was also not an exception of being good and delicious. Our son got the same priority. Though our heart never wanted to give us the permission of being early to bed but our brain was sending messages to go to have a sleep early. We indulged our brain very unwillingly.😔

Next morning was Holi. All the stuffs and  boarders exchanged Holi wishes. At 6.30 am we visited to the Thakurdalan again to enjoy the Jhulan ceremony of Lord Krishna and Radharani. After having our breakfast at 8.30 we left the Rajbari and started our return journey. 

Points to remember: 

• Please visit http://www.itachunarajbari.com/ for details on booking and pricing
• Try to have the 1st floor rooms. They have better view even though they are a bit expensive
• AC is a luxury here and don't expect 24 hrs operation. We got it only at the time of check-in and during the night
• Rajbari serves food as per meal system. They are good and delicious. You don't have any other option there
• Parking is available inside the boundary
• If you're carrying an infant, please carry necessary food and beverages
• Tea is served in the backside of the Rajbari and not from the main dining hall 
•  Carry your photography gear as you'll get wide variety of birds during dawn and dusk