Krishnanagar Rajbari (Royal Palace)

The Rajbari (the palace of the erstwhile royal family of Krishnanagar) stands in the heart of the old town as a melancholy monument to faded grandeur. The complex was built during the reign of Maharaja Krishna Chandra Rai in the 18th century and enlarged by subsequent generations. Today, while much of the structure is in an advanced state of dilapidation, enough survives to convey the architectural ambition of its builders: carved interior walls, columned halls and the suggestion of vast, once-formal gardens.
The Rajbari opens to the public only on special occasions, most notably during the annual Jagadhatri Puja celebrations in October or November, when it becomes the centre of the city's most spectacular cultural event. The royal family still resides in parts of the complex and a living tradition continues: the Durga Puja celebrated here features the 'Raj Rajeswari' idol created by local Ghurni artists. After the immersion of the idol, the family observes an age-old custom called Shatru Badh. Even if you cannot enter, the exterior is worth viewing, particularly in the evening when the edifice is beautifully lit.