Keonjhar: The old palace of Keonjhargarh that gives insight into its royal heritage is gradually falling to ruins for lack of upkeep.
Spread across an area from the foothills of Chulia hill to Judia Ghati, the palace premises has huge tourism potential. Two moats – one in the west and another in the east – built to protect the palace from invasion by outside forces, bear testimony to the engineering abilities of the era.
However, the palace and its ancillary infrastructure need urgent attention for their upkeep while encroachments on the premises have left monument lovers and locals worried.
According to reports, this royal palace and moats were built during the reign of the king of erstwhile Keonjhar princely state Dhanurjay Narayan Bhanjadeo between 1861 and 1905.
The great range of hills to the south of the palace from Judia to Nalapat was called Indrachhatra Hudi. The hill range towers over the rugged landscape like a much-needed massive fort for the palace.
To its north are two ponds – Gopal bandh and Mainsikata while another pond is to its south. For protection of the palace, water bodies are around it.
Besides, there are eight watch towers on the exterior boundary wall of the palace, where sentinels used to stand guard.
Locals say whenever tourists visit the place they relish the thought of the royal past.
However, over the passage of time, the place is falling into decay while the water bodies are on the verge of losing their existence for lack of maintenance. It was said that in those times, the palace had housed a royal court, durbar hall, armoury, magazines, queen’s boudoir, shrines dedicated to Goddesses Dandadevi and Gadachandi, chambers for sacred ceremonies, marriage altars, bathrooms and secret ways.
The palace had two main gates through which kings and their courtiers used to go in and out.
On the north gate was Chhatisha Niyog while Matiabandh Pokhari (now called Chandan Pokhari) was on its south side.
The western gate was opened and used occasionally. A place of worship was near Hadibandh Pokhari to the east of the palace. On the day of Aswapanchami, horses and elephants were being worshipped in the palace.
Deities were enshrined in a temple in the middle of Matiabandh Pokhari. During Rath Yatra and Chandan Yatra, water sports of deities were being solemnized.
Inside the royal palace are temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Tarini.
NH-49 (earlier known as NH-6) passed through Judia Ghati from where people enjoyed the scenic beauty of the palace and moats.
Two other places – Laxmipada at the foothill of Judia hill and Siddhamatha at the foothill of Chulia hill have added to the significance of the place.
Many conscious citizens of the locality noted that such a beautiful place is losing its sheen due to the rages of time while no steps are being taken to restore its glory. PNN
