Uttara Ganabhaban (Dighapatia Rajbari) travel guide

At a glance

Founded

18th century (Dayaram Roy)

Rebuilt

After the 1897 earthquake

Area

About 43 acres

Named after

'Uttara Ganabhaban' in 1972

History and details

Dayaram Roy, Rani Bhabani's trusted dewan, received the Dighapatia zamindari after the Battle of Plassey and built a palace here. When the devastating 1897 earthquake badly damaged it, Raja Pramadanath Roy rebuilt it with European architects and craftsmen.

On top of the entrance is a huge clock made in England; inside are an Italian garden, marble sculptures and rare trees brought from abroad (haimanti, parijat and others). Kumar Sarat Kumar Roy, who founded the Varendra Research Museum, was a son of this family.

After 1947 the family left for India. In 1967 it became the northern residence of the Governor of East Pakistan, and in 1972 it was named 'Uttara Ganabhaban' — the head of government's residence in North Bengal. Part of it is now a museum open to visitors.

Things to do

• Photograph the clock-topped lion gate
• See the Italian garden and marble statues
• See the royal family's belongings in the museum

How to get to Uttara Ganabhaban (Dighapatia Rajbari)

About 3 km from 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

• See the clock-topped lion gate at the entrance
• May be closed on Monday or certain days — check first

More to see nearby

• Natore Rajbari (3 km)
• Chalan Beel (20 km)
• Natore town

More places to visit in Natore district

• Natore Rajbari — Rani Bhabani's palace; surrounded by ponds, temples and gardens.
• Chalan Beel — The country's biggest beel; a vast sheet of water in the monsoon, birds in winter.

Location on the map