Mayurbhanj Palace, Royal palace in Baripada, India
Mayurbhanj Palace is a royal residence in Baripada featuring 126 rooms designed in classical Western style with Doric and Corinthian columns throughout. The structure blends Greek and Victorian architectural elements into a cohesive composition.
Construction began in 1804 under Maharani Sumitra Devi Bhanj Deo and received major expansions in 1892 under Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanj Deo. Following its transfer to the Odisha government in 1956, the structure was repurposed to house educational institutions.
The palace once held a temple dedicated to Goddess Kichakeshwari, revered as both the royal family's guardian deity and the state's spiritual symbol. Visitors can still sense this sacred role woven into the building's design and spaces.
The building now houses two colleges: Maharaja Purna Chandra College and Government Women's College, so access to certain areas may be limited during school hours. Visit outside regular class times to see more of the compound freely.
A hidden feature is the royal bathing ghat where walls studded with mirrors direct sunlight onto water from a fountain below. This clever design created natural lighting for those using the bathing area.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
