Palpa-'Rani Mahal' The palace in Nepal that symbolizes love. built by King Khadga Shamsher in memory of Queen Tej Kumari, Rani Mahal has stood for 130 years on a cliff along the Kali Gandaki River.
In 1950 B.S., King Khadga Shamsher, stationed at Gauda in Palpa, started building Rani Mahal to remember his late queen, Tej Kumari. The foundation was laid in 1950 B.S., and by 1954 B.S., the palace was completed on the bank of the Kali Gandaki River. The palace was built with unmatched Western architectural style. Full of ancient and historical importance, it is located in the western district of Palpa, Nepal.
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Many visitors wonder, “What is inside Rani Mahal?” The palace is about 14 kilometers from Tansen and can be reached with a 20-minute journey. For those who enjoy walking, there is a foot trail from Tansen. Before reaching the palace, you start seeing the beautiful Kali Gandaki River from a higher point, and beside it stands the strong and steady Rani Mahal. The Kali Gandaki River, flowing from Mustang, is very important both religiously and for tourism.
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After reaching Rani Mahal, you have to climb stairs to go higher. At the top, before entering the gate, you can see large stables on both sides where horses were once tied. Passing through the gate and moving upward, you can see temples of Lord Shiva on both sides. Climbing another 5–6 steps brings you to the palace. At the palace, there are large fish ponds in front, and on the Gandaki side, there is a tall tower from which you can see the beautiful Kali Gandaki River and the entire palace. -1732271048-1763708698.jpg)
The palace, which previously had a red roof and blue walls, has been restored to its original style with a red roof and white walls. The three-story Rani Mahal has 11 rooms.Built in Western style, the rooms are very large. On the second floor, there is a large balcony in the middle, from where you can see the whole palace area and the northern-flowing Kali Gandaki River. -1732271038-1763708834.jpg)
As soon as you enter the palace, in the room to the left, there are paintings of King Khadga Shamsher and Queen Tej Kumari, made using references from the king’s family. Climbing the wooden staircase to the second floor, there is a large assembly hall on the left and a mini-museum on the right. The mini-museum displays 166 archaeological items that were recovered after being lost from the palace. Photography is not allowed inside.
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It was established under a सार्वजनिक निजी साझेदारी (SaNiSa) model, with Tansen Municipality helping to hand the project to the private sector. The museum, built with Tansen Municipality’s investment, has increased the attraction for tourists.
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Rani Mahal is also lit up at night so visitors can see it from afar. Electricity has been installed to make it visible for tourists arriving in the evening. As more hotels are built around the palace, many tourists now stay in camping areas nearby before visiting.
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Rani Mahal is not only a historic and architectural treasure but also a symbol of love, history, and natural beauty, making it one of the most important tourist destinations in western Nepal.
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