Shobhabazar Rajbari Nathmandir, Royal palace and museum in North Kolkata, India.
The Shobhabazar Rajbari Nathmandir is a palace in North Kolkata that combines residential and prayer spaces within one complex. The central prayer area is supported by eight substantial Tuscan columns and features arched openings with multi-lobed decorative elements resting on square pillars.
The palace was constructed before 1757 by Raja Nabakrishna Deb, who accumulated wealth through support to British forces in their military campaign against Siraj ud-Daulah. This early alignment with British authority shaped both the building's architectural style and its place in colonial Kolkata's development.
The palace serves as a gathering place where people come together each year to celebrate Durga Puja with religious ceremonies and traditional music. Musicians from Varanasi perform here as part of the annual observance, creating a sense of continuity with older devotional practices.
Planning ahead is important because the main palace remains private property and is not generally open to the public, while the Nathmandir section is managed by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation at Raja Nabakrishna Street. Checking opening times beforehand is wise, and showing respect for religious activities that take place daily is essential.
A nine-pointed temple structure stands at the northern end of the complex, dedicated to the deities Radha and Govinda, worshipped by the zamindari family for about 250 years. This long-standing spiritual practice reveals the enduring religious importance of the site across generations.
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