Rambha Palace , which had provided a suitable platform for the unification movement of Odia-speaking tracts a century ago, is now a luxury boutique hotel . This iconic heritage hotel , located on the bank of Chilika , Asia's largest brackish water lake, and a designated RAMSAR site, is becoming a popular choice for those seeking a touch of royalty during their stay. The palace faces Chilika, the lagoon which has been mesmerising people with its beauty, serenity, and splendour from time immemorial.
Just open the door of the rooms of the palace and see the picturesque lake and paradise of 184 species of migratory birds. The soothing breeze coming from the lake will calm one down and rejuvenate their soul. This heritage property, located at Rambha, around 130 km from Bhubaneswar, was built by Thomas Snodgrass, the collector of Ganjam in 1791-92 on govt expenditure.
Engineers from Europe were engaged for its construction. Later, Khallikote king Rama Krushna Mardaraj purchased it to use as his residence. When the king faced a financial crisis because of famine in Odisha , he sold it to FJV Minchin, the then owner of the Aska Sugar Factory.
After several years, King Harihar Mardaraj purchased it and made it his residence. Janmejay Choudhury, a faculty member of history at Sri Jagannath College, Kaipadar, Khurda, said the foundation of the famous Utkal Union Conference was laid here in the presence of eminent personalities like Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das. It was the Rambha Palace which provided the needed platform for the amalgamation movement of Odia-speaking tracts on January 13, 1902.
A second conference of Utkal Sammilani was hosted by the king from April 29, 1905, to May 1, 1905, to fight for the cause of the Odias as they were not getting their legitimate justice, said Choudhury. According to the Odisha Review published by the state govt, Harihar Mardaraj organised the 3rd Rambha Conference in 1909, which was attended by hundreds of delegates from different parts of Odia-speaking tracts united at Rambha Palace. Later, his son Rama Chandra Mardaraj organised another Odia conference in the precinct of this palace where Madhusudan Das vowed to realise the most cherished dream of the Odias to get a separate state of their own.
Nobody from the Khallikote royal dynasty was staying in Rambha Palace and it was lying idle. It was also requiring maintenance. To preserve this palace in a better way was the reason behind the luxury boutique hotel.
Keeping the heritage hotel concept in mind, Suave Ventures showed interest in this palace and turned this property into a luxury boutique hotel. They took six years to restore the palace. It was a win-win situation for all the stakeholders involved in this.
Hidden India, a conservation tourism company, is managing the palace-turned-luxury boutique hotel. It was opened to the public on the occasion of Utkal Dibas on April 1 this year. Mallika Ahluwalia from Suave Ventures said over the past six years, they have meticulously restored the Rambha Palace to its original grandeur, led by renowned architect Channa Daswatte, Geoffrey Bawa’s protégé.
“The goal was not to change the palace but to preserve its historical essence. We have used traditional materials and techniques to remain true to the building's original architecture. Every detail has been painstakingly restored to ensure that the palace remains as true to its 18th-century origins, blending historical authenticity with modern luxury,” she added.
She said it is a vibrant representation of Odisha’s culture. “We have worked extensively with Sabai artisans from Balasore and golden grass artisans from Jajpur. Ikkat fabric from Bargarh is used in cushions and bed runners, and we’ve given prominence to underrepresented art forms such as Kotpad textiles, which are featured in wall tapestries throughout the rooms.
Dhokra beads, handcrafted by artisans and tribal communities, are another highlight. These beautiful brass beads, which are the region's parallel to brocade and zari, add a touch of royalty to the palace,” she added. Neharika Kishore from Hidden India said the transformation of Rambha Palace into a luxury hotel has been a deeply personalised and unique endeavour, unlike any other.
It is a vibrant representation of Odisha’s material culture. “Each district of the state finds representation within the palace, ensuring that it is not just a luxury hotel but also a living showcase of the diverse cultural heritage of Odisha,” she added. She said the 3D patterned terrazzo tiles have been carefully restored in-site.
The walls have been repaired using a version of original Venetian lime-plaster, created by artisans from the Sunderbans. This has been finished with liquid beeswax to give it a smooth, organic texture. The transformation of Rambha Palace into a luxury hotel has been a deeply personalised and unique endeavour, unlike any other, she added.
She said guests who visit Rambha Palace are not just stepping into history but also experiencing the natural wonders of Chilika and the rich heritage of Odisha. Some of the famous guests of Rambha Palace: In December 1927, Khallikote king Rama Chandra Mardaraj had invited Mahatma Gandhi and sister Miraben to Rambha Palace when they were travelling through Odisha for the cause of Swaraj. In 1955, the king had invited former PMs Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri, freedom fighter and former UP CM Govind Ballabh Pant, former Congress president UN Dhebar, former Gujarat CM Balawant Rai Mehta at Rambha Palace to discuss on various issues about the country.
Lord Curzon, the governor general of pre-independence India, had stayed here once. In 1927, the Simon Commission under the chairmanship of Sir John Simon was a guest at Rambha Palace where King Rama Chandra Mardaraj had advocated for amalgamation of the Odisha province. The king at the age of 22 had hosted viceroy and governor-general of India Lord Willingdon and his wife at the Rambha Palace.
From Lord Wavel to O’Donnell, AC Duff, CF Phillip, Sir John Austin Hubback and many national and state-level leaders also stayed at this palace..
