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 w.