Travel Nepal News : Nepal's own "Taj Mahal"

By: myRepublica
Source:http://ghalegroup.com
Category:Travel Nepal News
Posted By: www.gilttravels.com

Travel Nepal News

Among the green abyss of flora, a blue speck intrigues and beckons visitors from atop a hill overlooking the mighty Kali Gandaki River. As one inches closer, a chateau manifests that has stood the test of time and negligence. Behold the glory of an almost surreal Rani Mahal! More than its grandeur, however, the complex perplexes the visitor with its remoteness, the year it was constructed, which almost always brings out the question: “How on earth did they manage to do it?” And above all, the thought behind the architecture.

An enduring symbol of love, it was commissioned by Commander-in-Chief and the then Governor of Palpa Khadga SJB Rana for his beloved Rani Tej Kumari in 1896.

Set on a massive rock bed above the banks of the rushing Kali Gandaki River, and seven kilometers from Tansen, the district headquarters of Palpa, the complex took five years to complete and includes a building surrounded by layered gardens, stone walls and a small shrine to Lord Shiva. However, the love with which it was built was not evident in the later years. Unrecognized and neglected, if the complex awed visitors with its surreal presence then, it almost always brings a sigh of tragedy at its present state. Most of the valuable fixtures, including the temple pier made of real gold, and the bronze roof of the shrines, have either been vandalized or stolen.

The last major renovation of Rani Mahal took place in the late 1990s. Since then, the building has stood with fading walls reminiscent of blue walls once, weed-infested gardens, dilapidated windows and doors. This was one year back.

Travel Nepal News

Of late, the walls of the palace – once marred with urine stains and graffiti – shines in a new coat of vivid blue that dazzles, in contrast to its emerald surrounding. There’s a restaurant that serves daal-bhaat-tarkari, chilled drinks and chowmein, a local favorite, and entertains its guests as Justin Bieber calls out for his Baby through the speakers.

Welcome to the recently opened Rani Mahal Restaurant, run by a charming 21-year-old Suresh Chettri. “The restaurant was opened to serve the guests who come to Ranighat. The business usually picks up during weekends, when up to 100 people come. It’s a nice source of income,” shared Chettri who also informed that the palace complex now boasts a caretaker.

Four months after being hired, 48-year-old native from Syangja, Jeev Lal Pandey, shared that he has immense pride in his job. “I’m here from 9 am till 5 pm, daily, keeping track of everyone who visits the palace. As you can see, we’ve tried to renovate the place but there’s much to be desired.”

Krishna Pandey, 32, President of Asal Shasan Club, a local youth club in Syangja established in 2005, shared that the palace was painted in keeping with the old color scheme. “We were given Rs 10 lakhs by the Paryatan Karyalaya in Bhairahawa last year for the renovation work. Sixty of our local youths donated their time to paint the building.”

However, he was quick to add that the upkeep of Rani Mahal remains incomplete largely due to budget crunch. “We don’t have any substantial support from the government. A measly monthly allowance of Rs 2,000 is provided by the Palpa District Development Committee, which isn’t enough to even pay our caretaker, Jeev Lal Dai.”

A popular destination with locals and tourists alike, Ranighat is also a popular short trek destination from Tansen. And keeping in mind the future potential of the place as a lucrative tourist address, the local youths have come together with a blueprint to establish a resort that will provide lodging and food to those who wish to further their stay and explore the area.”

Situated on the opposite banks of Ranighat, hence the name “Ranighat Resort,” the 20-room complex will be operational in a couple of months, shared Pandey. “Apart from basic amenities, we’ll also be providing extracurricular activities like rafting and boating, and there’ll be provision of local guide at any time to explore the surrounding areas.”

Travel Nepal News

The Alam Devi Temple complex in the nearby Alam Devi Village Development Committee (VDC), the ancestral deity of the Shah kings; Kali Gandaki Hydropower in Mirmi; Seti Beni, a huge boulder on the confluence of Seti and Kali Gandaki are some of the major attractions that might attract the wanderlusts at heart at Ranighat.

Revealing the main reason behind the opening of the resort, one of the investors, Dewang Rana, 28, revealed that it was to provide accommodation to wandering tourists and create job opportunities locally.

“If everything goes on schedule, we’ll open in four months and can hire up to 20 people. Our club comprises young lads from nearby localities and we do want to see our place flourish. There’s so much potential here,” shared Rana.

Built more than one hundred years ago by craftsmen imported from India, Rani Mahal took five years to complete. And Rana was quick to comment, “When, even in this day and age, we’re having problems bringing material to the construction site as there’s no proper road, how did they manage to erect this monument beats me,” gushed he.

Overlooked by the government and local authorities, the local youth body has taken it upon themselves to resurrect the almost forgotten relic of the past and help generate a source of revenue from the old and ravaged Rana durbar. Helping tap into its potential as a major tourist destination, Asal Shasan Club is doing what’s unthinkable.

Source: http://ghalegroup.com/blog/2011/10/14/rani-mahal-revived-by-youth/