The historical Bonaigarh palace in Odisha has reportedly witnessed reign of as many as 58 kings in different generations. At present, Veer Kishore Indra Deo Dev is regarded as the 59th king of the erstwhile princely State. Situated in the bank of river Bramhani, the first king named Veer Pratap Bhanu Indra Deo was the first king who reigned here starting from 1082 AD.
As per history, initially seven brothers came all the way from Singhala Island to Puri of Odisha. Out of them King Pratap came to Bonai through Dhenkanal. Then, Bonai area was full of deep forests. Bhuyan and Kolha people were reigning here.
It is said that the then king was hiding behind the Baneswar temple due to fear of Bhuyans while a peacock had hid him behind its feathers. Witnessing the mysterious scene the Bhuyans ascertained that the man has some specialty. They came to know about his caste and knew that he is Kshyatriya. They made him the king. Accordingly, the Kings’ rule started in Bonaigarh.
During his reign, a number of edifices were erected to serve different purposes. Thesed buildings are now in dilapidated condition. It includes palace, court and palace of the queen ‘Ranimahal’ etc.
Many deities are worshipped in Bonai including Baba Baneswar, Maa Basuli, Maa Kanta and Maa Kumari. During marriages and other such occasions, first the king is invited and then others. In the temples also, first the king worships and then others.
Chaitra fair was a big festivity here earlier which used to be the largest fair of Odisha in the earlier days. The festival was going on for more than one month and was being observed both in the day and night. Besides, Maa Kanta Devi was visiting the village and people were worshiping, says legend.
In the present days, everything has changed. These festivities are no more witnessed. The fair has also become a low key affair.
Bramhani River is flowing by the right side of palace. In the earlier days in the left side an electric machine had been installed inside a pond from where the palace was getting electricity.
There is a well inside Bramhani River. It is believed that once this well is completely filled with water, the area then gets submerged.
In 1902 during the reign of Dharanidhar Indra Deo Dev in Bonai state, the prices of tickets to visit the court was of 12 annas, 4 annas and 8 annas. Over the years, it has become only a memoir.
(An Anna was a currency unit formerly used in India, equal to 1/16 Rupee. It was subdivided into 4 Paise (thus there were 64 paise in a rupee)
There are four Blocks in Bonai. Koida is one of them. Keonjhar king’s daughter was married in Koida and thus this area was given in dowry. In the present day, this area is full of mines. Odisha government gets crores of revenue from here.
In these days, queen Susameswari Devi, the wife of the 59th king Veer Kishore Indra Deo, daughter princess Karishma Devi and prince Digaraj Pratap Kishore Deo are living. The princess is married.
The earlier King’s used cup plate, utensils used for wine drinking, and some brass materials are there. The Government should make effort to preserve these so that the next generation can know about the history of Bonaigarh.
With inputs from: Satyanarayan Mishra, Bonai
Ms Kalinga