Picture this: a stone bench perched on a sprawling field, with the rustle of swaying mango and jackfruit trees doubling as the background score. Further ahead, a group of women dressed in colourful sarees are picking mangoes in large cane baskets. This is what my usual evening at the Rambha Palace, located in Odisha’s Ganjam district, looked like.
What was once the residence of the Maharaja of Khallikote has now been restored and transformed into a palatial 16-room boutique hotel, spread across five acres, on the banks of the Chilika Lake in the Rambha village. The walls of this 200-year-old palace are steeped in history.
“You are walking the corridors that were once walked by Nehru and Gandhi,” said my palace guide. The idea of the Utkal Sammilani or the Utkal Union Conference that went on to give birth to an independent Odisha, was conceived at the Rambha Palace in the 1900s, I learn.
“It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the foundation of Odisha was laid where you stand today,” added my guide as we made ourselves comfortable in the breathtaking dining room of the palace for a traditional Oriya lunch.
Peek Into The 18th Century Palace Turned Hotel
There is something strangely fulfilling about experiencing spaces shaped by history. Rambha Palace gave me a glimpse of the state’s past. But more than that, I got a closer look of the people.
Designed by Sri-Lankan architect Channa Daswatte (a protégé of Geoffrey Bawa), Rambha Palace’s restoration took six years, from 2019 to 2025. Today, the details speak volumes of this meticulous detailing. High ceilings, a life-sized billiards table from the time of the Maharajas, large rooms, and walls dotted with Raja Ravi Verma’s lithographs…everything at the palace was rich and graceful.
“This project was my way of giving back to my land,” said Himangini Singh, co-founder at Hunch Ventures, a Delhi-based venture capital fund that has revived the structure to its present form.
“My aim was to retain the original charm of the palace and make it art-forward, but also equip it with all comforts and facilities,” added Singh as we sat across the table relishing a refreshing bowl of Oriya Pakhal Bhatt.
The soothing, pastel pink and pistachio green walls of the palace caught my eye. Done up with chuna (“lime powder”) by artisans from the Chunakhali village of the Sundarbans, the walls helped keep the palace cool and airy.
Interestingly, a secret recipe helps achieve this scientific wonder—a mix that was kept confidential from the architect as well! I learn that the chuna involves a mix of various spices, including cardamom and clove. “These walls stand as a testament an indigenous art is not dead,” I muttered to myself.
The five-acre complex is also studded gorgeous 18th century fountains that I noticed while walking past a small pond with lotuses. Further ahead, the Mantanam spa amps this serene ambience. You can choose from a host of options for a relaxed time. As for me, my relaxation meant a good night’s sleep.
Staircases are truly a palace crown, I think as I climb up the steps to my room. Made with restored wood and reused from the original palace, the staircases at Rambha Palace were intricate and beautiful.
Similar beauties find a spot on walls, too. Another piece of art that stands out is one by the 23-year-old self taught artist Guru Vinayak Singh Budhwar. On display on the ceiling of the second floor, I stood soaking in the beauty and finesse for long. With each stroke, I saw 5,000 years of Odisha’s history reveal itself. It was mesmerising, to say the least.
Deeply impressed by what I had seen, I continued onward to my palace suite. With off-white Ikat curtains, Sabai grass baskets, and Kotpat-clad ceilings, the suite brought me an inch closer to experiencing the rich arts and crafts of Odisha.
Your Wish, Their Command
If you are someone who wishes call a “palace” their own for a few days, Rambha Palace is just the spot for you. The palace’s kitchen prepares delicacies across cuisines like Japanese, Italian, Thai, Lebanese, Mexican, and traditional Oriya cuisine, among many others. For me, the sushi took top-spot—absolutely lip-smacking!
What’s more—many chutneys and pickles that are prepared in-house are made using produce plucked from the palace’s herb garden and trees.
Beyond The Palace: Things To See Near Rambha Palace
Whether you are someone who likes to soak in the slow life or someone who enjoys being out and about exploring the destination, Rambha Palace offers it all. From chasing dolphins to bird watching and enjoying a meal at the breakfast island, there is a lot to choose from.
Consider spotting Irrawaddy dolphins at the Chilika Lake, located only a 15-minute walk away. Here, you can feed, see, or just admire the dolphins as they swirl next to you. You can even try spotting black bucks, which are considered lucky as per local legends.
“Long ago, when the Danapur village of Ganjam was experiencing a drought-like situation, spotting a black buck led to rains. Ever since, we consider them our guests and allow them to roam freely in our fields,” narrates a lady as she plucks mangoes from the trees. Black buck or not, I sure felt lucky to immersing in the slow life of Odisha.
Information | Rambha Palace
Rates: The boutique hotel offers three categories of rooms, including the palace suite (INR 55,000 per night), the Orchard Suite (starts at INR 35,000 per night), and the Base level suite (INR 25,000 per night).
How to Reach: To reach Rambha Palace, one would have to fly into Bhubaneswar followed by a two-hour drive.
