Offbeat Odisha : Mayurbhanj

By Divyakshi Gupta

Somewhere between Bhubaneswar and Kolkata lies the erstwhile princely state of Mayurbhanj, once ruled by the Bhanja rulers.

The district is home to the Simlipal National park and is famous for the Mayurbhanj Chau (The warrior dance) and a regal palace which is now a boutique homestay.

The 200 year old Belgadia palace offers a glimpse into the history of the Bhanja dynasty.

For lovers of history and architecture, a stay in this vintage palace with Victorian & Greek architecture is a delight.

Every room has a story to narrate and there are artefacts in every nook, making it a museum of sorts.

The Pink room is the centre of the perfectly symmetrical palace. If the palace is folded up, the two sections would align perfectly.

Take a tour of the palace, grab a book on the history of Mayurbhanj and astonish yourself.

From vintage vinyl records to a plethora of rare books to ancient collectibles, you will bump into history wherever you sit.

All the ancient finds will simply blow your mind away!

Step out in the quaint market and buy local textiles or the famous Dokra art handicrafts. And do not miss the Sabai grass products: baskets, mats and the likes.

You can even visit local villages and see women weaving these.

Swipe up for more such stories!