Natore Rajbari travel guide

At a glance

Founded

Early 18th century (Ramjiban Roy)

Area

About 120 acres

Famous for

Rani Bhabani (1716–1795)

Buildings

Palaces of the senior and junior branches, temples, ponds

History and details

In the early 18th century, with the favour of Nawab Murshid Quli Khan of Murshidabad, Ramjiban Roy became owner of the huge Natore zamindari and moved his capital to Natore. Rani Bhabani, wife of his adopted son Ramkanta, ran the estate for a long time after her husband's death.

Rani Bhabani was known as 'Ardha-Bangeshwari' for her able administration, generosity and the temples, roads and ponds she built; her zamindari covered a huge part of Bengal. History records her support for Siraj ud-Daulah before the Battle of Plassey.

The rajbari complex has the palaces of the senior and junior branches, the Shyamsundar Temple, the Anandamoyi Kalibari and several ponds. It is now a tourist spot called the 'Rani Bhabani Central Park'.

Things to do

• Walk round the senior branch's palace and pond
• See the rajbari's temples
• Eat Natore's kachagolla

How to get to Natore Rajbari

Close to Natore town.

Natore is about 220 km from Dhaka; the journey takes 4.5–5 hours.

• 🚌 By bus: Rajshahi/Natore-bound buses from Gabtoli, fare ৳550–700.
• 🚆 By train: Rajshahi-bound trains to Natore station, fare ৳300–900.

Where to stay

The district town has basic and mid-range hotels (roughly ৳800–2,500). Government circuit houses and dak bungalows can be used with permission.

What to eat

Natore's kachagolla (the most famous)

Good to know

• Don't forget to buy Natore's kachagolla
• Can be done the same day as Uttara Ganabhaban

More to see nearby

• Uttara Ganabhaban (3 km)
• Chalan Beel (20 km)
• Puthia Temple Complex (20 km)

More places to visit in Natore district

• Uttara Ganabhaban (Dighapatia Rajbari) — The palace of the Dighapatia rajas; a garden of rare trees and a museum.
• Chalan Beel — The country's biggest beel; a vast sheet of water in the monsoon, birds in winter.

Location on the map