Rajnagar situated near Madhubani in Mithila Bihar is without doubt one of the erstwhile royal cities of the area. It had a brief life due to an enormous earthquake that hit this area in 1934. I walked by means of this ruined metropolis and found its grandeur and spirituality.

Historical past of Rajnagar

Rajnagar was constructed by Rameshwar Singh, who was the youthful brother of the king of Darbhanga. It was constructed between 1884 and 1929 CE. Quickly after the earthquake hit it, bringing down many buildings and damaging others. It was by no means re-built once more.

Unfold over 1500 acres, this royal quarters consists of varied palaces and temples. Simply as we noticed in Darbhanga, the royal household adopted the Shakta path, you see many temples devoted to totally different manifestations of Devi. The palaces give the glimpses of the grandeur of the previous.

Locations to See in Rajnagar

As we obtained down from our automobile, we first noticed a brilliant constructing with brilliant pink pillars in entrance of us. It will need to have been a palace as soon as, definitely. The corridors had been fairly maintained giving me a sense that the constructing is in use.

Positive, as we walked round, we noticed the board – Vishveshwar Singh Janta Mahavidyalaya. It’s a school affiliated with Lalit Narayan Mithila College of Darbhanga.

We walked by means of the ornate iron gate and located us standing in an enormous courtyard surrounded by the palace turned school premises. Double pink pillars lined the corridors operating all alongside. Bust of the King adorned the centre of the courtyard.

Navlakha Palace

That is the principle palace of town and can be referred to as the Rajnagar palace. It’s believed that it had 22 layers of sculptures or carvings on its partitions, however most of it’s gone.

As we walked in the direction of this palace, the very first thing we observed was a singular portico. Base of the portico partitions is within the type of elephants made in cement. Apparently, it is without doubt one of the first buildings to make use of cement in development. It appears Rameshwar Singh was very keen on elephants as you see them all over the place in Rajmagar structure.

Step inside and also you see a darbar corridor with tall spiral pillars organized in a round form. The affect of European structure is palpable. The roof has fallen and flooring appears to be like like a chunk of jungle.

Different ruined buildings encompass Navalakha Palace.

Temples of Rajnagar

Shiva Temple

We first visited a dilapidated Shiva temple. It will need to have been a lovely temple when it was constructed. You’ll be able to see the Nagar style Shikhara surrounded by mandapas. You can’t enter the temple now, you’ll be able to solely admire it from a distance. One distinct function I observed was the elephant and lion sculptures on the Shikhara, standing proudly on the projecting platforms.

It’s practising temple although. The Shivalinga is now within the temple compound. The Nandi and the tortoise are nonetheless trying in the direction of it. A brahmin household nonetheless takes care of the devatas by doing the every day pujas.

Durga Temple

Durga Temple stands near Navalakha palace. It’s a massive temple with a tall Shikhara flanked by two smaller ones and a dome. We climbed a flight of steps to enter the bigger mandapa of temple.

The ceiling has work in blue coloration that jogged my memory south Indian temples like Nataraja Temple of Chidambaram or Brihdeeshwara temple of Thanjavur. The mandapa is filled with ornate sq. pillars. One enters the temple by means of nicely sculpted arches standing on spherical pillars.

Garbhagriha has a Durga Murti. Surrounding it are temples with different deities like Sri Ram and Ganesha.

Kali Temple

In pristine white marble situated subsequent to a pond, this temple pulls you by its magnetism. I’m instructed the unique temple was a lot bigger and stood proper on the banks of the pond. It will need to have seemed lovely then reflecting within the waters.

Even at this time, it’s the best-preserved temple and constructing in Rajnagar. An enormous bell hangs outdoors the temple, and white paint tells guests to not ring it.  White on white stucco work reminds you of monuments like Taj Mahal.

Temple stands on a excessive plinth, the partitions of that are painted with the totally different swaroops or manifestations of the Devi. Contained in the Garbhagriha stands an enormous four-armed Kali standing on a corpse. Kali Stuti or the glory of Kali is written in pink letter on the partitions resulting in the garbhagriha.

Arched gateways take you across the temple.

Tripur Sundari Temple

That is one other massive temple of Tripursundari Devi, also called Kamakhya Devi. Additionally on a better Jagati or platform, this temple too has a tall Shikhara surrounded by smaller ones and a sq. mandpa in entrance. Colourful peacocks adorn the niches between doorjamb and arches.

Garbhagriha has a lovely massive murti of four-armed Tripursundari sitting on a pink lotus.

On the finish of the premises, you see a beautiful metropolis or possibly the palace gate in pink. As you stroll by means of the ruins you understand that whereas palaces fall, temples proceed to stay and worshipped. That’s the energy of spirituality.

Sadly, the entire premises is affected by encroachments. We noticed cattle grazing in and across the palace. Even in its ruins, Rajnagar has a great tourism potential with a little bit of conservation and gentle infrastructure.

Journey Suggestions for Rajnagar

You are able to do it as a day journey from Darbhanga which is lower than 50 kms from right here.

I didn’t see any facility to remain and even for meals in Rajnagar, so plana accordingly.

We mixed it with a visit to Madhubani and the portray villages surrounding it. You’ll be able to simply mix the 2.

You’ll be able to visite Janakpur too on this journey.

To see Rajnagar ruins, you want 1-2 hours and longer if the structure pursuits you.