Shobhabazar Rajbari, Kolkata - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 9 km from Kolkata Railway Station, Shobhabazar Rajbari is a royal palace situated at Shobha bazar area of Kolkata. It is one of the oldest Royal houses of Kolkata aristocracy and among the best places to visit in Kolkata.

The Shobhabazar Rajbari was built in the middle of 1700 by Raja Nabakrishna Deb, a prominent aristocrat of Kolkata. He is noted for his contribution in the Bengal Renaissance and for starting the trend of Durga Puja by retaining the cultural heritage of Bengal at a time when European culture predominated mostly. He was an ardent exponent of Brahmo Samaj Movement initiated by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Raja Nabakrishna Deb celebrated Durga Puja at this palace in 1757 on a grand scale after the British defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah at the battle of Plassey. Lord Clive and Warren Hastings were in the list of invitees. It was here that the first civic reception of Swami Vivekananda after his return from Chicago Parliament of Religions was organized in 1897 by Raja Binoy Deb Bahadur.

The palace complex features a main building and the Nat Mandap at present. Nat Mandap is also known as Thakurdalan, is an open courtyard area in the middle of the palatial building. The courtyard was used for special festivals and functions. Thakurdalan is supported by pairs of columns with multifoil arches on top. Two rows of multifoliate arches at the northern end provide access to the Nabaratna Temple at the rear.

The Rajbari is famous for its annual Durga Puja celebrations in the month of October-November.

Timings: 8 AM -6 PM