Rani Mahal is of the well-known monuments of Western Nepal as well as Gandaki Province. Khadga Shamsher Rana built it when he came to Palpa as Chief Governor in 1881 AD. This Mahalo was made in order to fulfill the last wish of his beloved queen Tej Kumari as she desired to have built a Durbar in her memory. After the death of his favorite queen in 1892 AD at Ridi of Palpa. Khadga Shamsher wandered various locations in order to select the proper site to build Rani Mahal. Finally, he liked this place to erect a memorial monument. However, it was very difficult to reach the selected site at a time when there was no access of any modern means of transportation and equipments since there was a huge cliff called Vaikundtha Pahara to remove from the desired location. Because of the strong dedication and willpower of Khadga Shamsher all of the difficult cliffs and other barriers were removed from the site and he was able to accomplish the difficult task of making such a majestic monument of Rani Mahal.
Locally, Rani Mahal was called as Ranighat Durbar and the place where it was located also named as Ranighat (600m). Rani Mahal is popularly known as a “Symbole of Love” or a “Monument of Love” across the Nepal. The Rani Mahal complex was built under the guidance and engineer who came to Palpa from Calcutta of India on the special request of Khadga Shamsher. The artisans were selected from the forth army battalion of Palpa. The construction project was initiated in 1893 AD, and was completed in a period of four years. Rani Mahal is situated 13 kilometer away from Tansen Bazzer with the access of two roads leading to the site.
A great fanfare with elaborate religious and cultural rituals was organized on the completion of this memorial monument. The water was supplied from Hatti Dhunga (elephant stone). Fireplace was there in each room to make it warm during winter. Expensive carpet and marbles decorated all staircases and ladder. A fishpond was there on the front yard of the Durbar. A Mandir was also built on the front yard and the stone ladders were there leading to the bank of Kali Gandaki river. After the completion of Durbar Khadga Shamsher field away to India. This monument remained neglected for long period and was almost is a stage of total extinction. Currently, the department of Archaeology Government of Nepal has started a conservation project to revive the past glory of this majestic monument of historical significance.
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Source: Palpa Museum (Information)
Travel Date: July 25, 2019
Travel Team: NATHM, Tourist Guide, Evening Group-2
