Andul Rajbari | Howrah | West Bengal |

Andul Rajbari | Howrah |

A heritage of Howrah 

The Andul Rajbari which is locally popular as Ananda Dham is a popular tourist destination in Howrah district of West Bengal. We planned a short trip to visit the Andul Rajbari recently. One fine monsoon morning we hired a car and reached Andul. Sri Chaitanya during his holy journey set his steps in Dakshin Nabadwip. And the place came to be known as Andul which etymologically comes from “ Ananda Dhuli” meaning the holy dust from the foot of Lord Chaitanya.

Raj Bari

From main road , it took us around 10-15 minutes to find the Andul Rajbari winding past the narrow roads crowded by innumerable shops. The royal structure adorned by massive pillars in the front and a large open field greeted us. The open field is the place where the fairs take place on relevant occasions. The Rajbari, disperse over 10 bighas and containing more than 100 rooms, could be reached in about 10 mins in the Andul station in a cycle rickshaw.  The building is in dilapidated state now but the huge structure and lofty pillars talk of the affluence the royal family needs to have enjoyed in the past.  It’s heartbreaking to witness the neglect and ill-maintenance that is driving the grand heritage building into ruins.  The large open ground in front of this Rajbari has now been transformed into a football playing ground for the locals.