Visitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal

Visitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal - Exterior Photography, WindowsVisitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal - Exterior PhotographyVisitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal - Interior Photography, TableVisitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal - Interior Photography, Stairs, BrickVisitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal - More Images+ 24

  • Architects: Dharatal
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  142
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2022
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Studio Nara, Dharatal, DFG
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Bajaj, Bellissimo Solutions, Dharatal, Lexda
  • Design And Conservation: Nishant Upadhyay
  • Design And Details: Viorel Acsinte
  • Structure Details: Anjaneya Sharma
  • Site Management: Angad Ankala
  • Contractor: Navdeep Sharma
  • Project Funding: ITRHD Belgium
  • City: Rajnagar
  • Country: India
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Visitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal - Exterior Photography, Windows
© Studio Nara

Text description provided by the architects. Dharatal was commissioned by the Belgian Chapter of the Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development (ITRHD) in 2016 to design a Visitors’ Centre for Pateriya ka bagh, Rajnagar in a structure adjacent to an existing Shiva temple where an old kothi once stood. The Center acts as an interpretation center for the Royal Gardens of Rajnagar as well as a training center in organic farming for the local farmers, vocational training for women and youth, and a venue to host the organic seed bank run by the local community.

Visitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal - Exterior Photography, Windows
© Studio Nara

Pateriya ka Bagh is one of the fifteen royal produce gardens laid out in Rajnagar by the royal family of Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh between the 18th and 19th centuries across Bundelkhand. ITRHD funded the conservation of these royal gardens, formerly known as the Lost Gardens of Khajuraho. These gardens share a similar spatial typology - ranging from 3 to 6 acres; each is walled with an entrance gate, a Shiva temple, an outhouse/kothi, memorial platforms/samadhis with a draw-well, stepwell, and irrigation channels. The design intention was to create a contemporary architectural form with a Bundeli soul without creating a mere copy of the old kothi and incorporating traditional building techniques.

Visitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade, Arch
© Studio Nara
Visitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal - Image 16 of 29
Plan - Ground Floor
Visitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal - Interior Photography, Table
© Dharatal

The kothi is a load-bearing structure, made primarily with lime, stone, and bricks. Following the original plan, the structure has one room with adjacent steps to access the roof. The design of the stairs was composed to invoke the feeling of a stepwell, typical of a Bundeli garden. The tall stairwell tower located in the south casts a shadow towards the north over the roof of the hall, keeping it cooler. The verandah in the front was extended as a venue for community events such as folk music concerts, community feasts during festivals, etc. The elevational proportions and projections of the kothi follow those of the adjacent temple and as seen in the other royal gardens. 

Visitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal - Image 18 of 29
Isometric View
Visitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal - Interior Photography, Windows, Brick, Beam
© DFG

The interiors are naturally lit with indirect lighting. The rectangular fenestrations have centrally pivoted arched wooden doors. Openings along the rear wall were avoided to follow the design of the original kothi and to cut the harsh west sun. This wall serves as an exhibition wall for the display of panels. A criss-cross pattern terracotta jaali has been provided below the slab level for cross ventilation. The pattern of the jaali is inspired by the windows in the historical structures found across Bundelkhand.

Visitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal - Interior Photography, Brick
© Studio Nara
Visitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal - Image 26 of 29
Jharokha Elevation
Visitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal - Image 19 of 29
Cross Section through the Visitors Center
Visitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal - Interior Photography, Stairs, Brick
© Studio Nara

One of the unique architectural interventions is the three jharokhas (balconies) in the kothi. They are a contemporary expression, evolved and inspired by the traditional form of Bangaldar jharokhas. Each jharokha was crafted by assembling pieces of powder-coated Aluminium in situ. Comfortable ramps are incorporated into the design making the Visitors’ Center and the toilet block located at the rear, accessible to all. The roof slab of the kothi was made using locally available gneiss stone. The Visitors’ Center for the Royal Gardens of Rajnagar in Pateriya ka Bagh was inaugurated on 30th April 2022.

Visitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal - Exterior Photography
© Studio Nara

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Project location

Address:Pateriya ka Bagh, Raneh Falls Rd, Rajnagar, Madhya Pradesh 471625, India

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Visitors’ Center, Royal Gardens of Rajnagar / Dharatal" 14 Jun 2023. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1002435/visitors-center-royal-gardens-of-rajnagar-dharatal> ISSN 0719-8884

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