West Bengal

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If you are looking for a time-travel experience, then visit Dhanyakuria village, around 45 kms from Kolkata. During the mid 1800’s when the British were busy turning Calcutta to London with ornate European styled buildings, three prominent business families from Bengal – the Saus, the Ballavs and the Gayens dealing in Jaggery, Jute, Rice and Salt decided to set up their wonderland in the fringes of Sunderban Delta in the sleepy hamlet of Dhanyakuria. In this village, you would find some of the most grandeur Zamindari buildings with European style decor integrated with Indian style architecture.

Out of the six palaces and mansions of Dhanyakuria, presently the only Zamindar House which hosts guests is the Sau Rajbari. The Sau Rajbari boasts a Thakurdalan with Corinthian pillars and window arches decked with stucco work.

Spending a day in Sau Rajbari would be a time-travelling experience for the guests. You can take a nap on the Maachan within the mango orchard (Aam Bagan), catch fish in the ponds, visit the Rashmancha and loiter within the corridors and terraces of the Zamindar House to glance around the age-old trophies of the Zamindars. In the late afternoons, you can take a walk around the village to explore the other Rajbaris and Baganbaris (Garden Houses) of Dhanyakuria belonging to the Gayens and Ballavs. Few other century-old buildings which you can explore are the local library and school.

Accommodation at Sau Rajbari

Presently, two rooms have been renovated within this heritage Zamindar House where guests are put up. Both rooms have been decked with period furniture and exude the charm of staying in a typical Bengali Zamindar house with their Khirki windows, Kari- Barga ceilings and Belgium Glass-cut Window panes. A spacious rooftop has been opened for the guests, where they can laze around in the evenings under the open sky and share stories of the past from the hosts.

Attractions around Sau Rajbari

The Sau Rajbari Durga Dalan lined up with rooms on three sides and the Navratna Ras Mancha in the vicinity are few other attractions. Apart from the heritage house itself, there are numerous other attractions in the village. You can also visit the other Rajbaris of the village belonging to the Gayens and Ballavs. The most notable ones are the dilapidated Gaine Estate House which resembles an European fairy tale castle, the Gaine Mansion which is a blend of colonial architecture and traditional Bengal Deul-style. The Ballav Mansion built around the same time is locally known as the “Putul Bari” or Doll House due to the numerous sculptures that adorn the facade of the house. The Sahu family’s Baganbari located within a mango orchard and surrounded by ponds is a very impressive Colonial architecture. These business families not only built garden palaces and mansions but also built many libraries, schools and clinics in Dhanyakuria as a part of their philanthropic activity. Built during the 1880s and 1890s, The Dhanyakuria Rathkhola F P School, Dhanyakuria High School and the Philomel Public School all exude a blend of indigenous Bengal and Colonial architecture.

On the Northern fringes of Dhanyakuria lies the Satyajit Ray Park bordering huge stretches of fishing ponds and walking trail passing through an abundance of greenery. Also, around 10 kms from Dhanyakuria is the 3rd century BCE archaelogical site of Chandraketugarh. The Kachua Dham, which is often regarded as the birthplace of one of the greatest saints of Bengal – Lokenath Brmhachari is located around 06 kms from Dhanyakuria.

How to reach Sau Rajbari

The nearest rail head is Kankra Mirzangar on the Sealdah – Basirhat stretch.. You can avail local transport like autos and rickshaws from Kankra Mirzangar Station to Sahu Rajbari. If you are taking the road, then drive through Kolkata – Basirhaat – Taki Road to reach Dhanyakuria. The distance is around 45 kms from Kolkata.

Activities at Sawoo Rajbari

In the summer months, the whole mango orchard blooms with mangoes and you can participate in picking mangoes as well as tasting them to find out the difference between Chausa, Dasseri, Langda, Kesar, Himsagar, Totapuri and others. If you are a professional angler or is just developing your interest in fishing, then you can bring your angling equipment and try your luck to catch the Rohus and Katlas teeming in the ponds. You can go bird watching in the surrounding villages and orchards, take a walk to explore the Zamindari Mansions, Temples and gardens.