CHOOSE YOUR ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS FROM THESE LUXURIOUS HOTELS
The Rajbari Bawali, Kolkata
Village: North Bawali; District: 24 Parganas (S) About 33 km from Kolkata A 300-year-old rajbari meticulously restored by businessman Ajay Rawla, it evokes a rustic charm with the zenana's original wooden shutters elegantly refurbished and its 29 rooms featuring four-poster beds.
Engage in pujo chores and partake in rituals like fruit-cutting with the priest and pushpanjali. Men are welcome to witness the women-only sindur khela on Dashami. Savour the diverse cuisines, but don't miss the Bengali feast. With pottery and culinary classes, this pet-friendly abode offers an enriching stay.
Amadpur Rajbari, Kolkata
Village: Amadpur; District: Burdwan About 90km from Kolkata
The ancestral property of a Kolkata-based businessperson, Shiladitya Chaudhuri, the 400-year-old Amadpur Rajbari welcomes you to join their Durga Puja festivities, held at the adjacent 350-year-old Durga Bari.
Here, the deity's arrival is celebrated with dhol beats and a symbolic sacrifice of sugarcane. The rajbari offers four spacious rooms adomed with period furniture, complemented by large wooden doors, and windows with louvred shutters. Experience tribal dances and archery displays by local tribes, along with a tour of terracotta temples. Pre-book your meals during the pujo days.
Jhargram Place, Kolkata
Village: Old Jhargram; District: Jhargram
About 168km from Kolkata
The residence of the Malla Dev royal family, this rajbari boasts Italian and Islamic architectural design elements. Ten rooms have been transformed into a heritage hotel where thakurs (royal cooks) prepare delicacies from locally-sourced ingredients.
The adjacent Savitri temple hosts the royal family's 500-year-old Durga Puja, marked by a sword procession and traditional bhog of khichuri and ghonto (vegetable mishmash). The palace offers diverse activities, from camping and village walks to hiking. Witness folk performances such as the Raibenshe, a male-exclusive folk martial dance.
Itachuna Rajbari, Kolkata
Village: Itachuna; District: Hooghly About 70km from Kolkata
Constructed in 1766 by Maratha warrior descendants, this estate, also known as Bargee Danga, has a traditional brick-red 'panchmohola' (five- halled) mansion.
Comprising various wings, its rooms are affectionately named after Bengali kin like Boro Maa, Kaka Babu, etc. A must-try is the opulent ashto byanjon, an eight-course meal presented in brass utensils. The gates close at 11 pm and guests are prohibited from venturing out after. The estate mandates prior booking/permission for entry.
Bari Kothi, Kolkata
Village: Bari Kothi, Jain Patty; District: Murshidabad About 218 km from Kolkata
Dating back to the 1700s, the Bari Kothi has been impeccably restored, and is now a luxury hotel that harmoniously fuses elements from Greek, Roman, and French architecture. Each room is a treasure trove of antique décor, with high ceilings and intricately carved archways.
During Durga Puja, try your hand at alpana (floor patterns with coloured powder), or see a spirited dhunuchi naach and the riveting conch shell-blowing competition. The Darbar Hall offers an authentic five-course sheherwall feast. Sunsets beckon with tea by the Ganges, where the property's owner regales guests with stories.