Situated on the pristine waters of Rudrasagar, Neer mahal is the only lake palace of entire eastern India. It spans over an area of 5sq. km.
Its architectural style finds references from both the Mughal and Hindu architectures, making an impressive blend of domes and arches. The palace has two parts - one on the western side known as Andar Mahal and another on the eastern side. Andar Mahal, once used by the royal family, is inclusive of the main hall, ball room, cashier's chamber, recreational room, bedroom, bathroom etc. The eastern s
ide is connected to the Andar Mahal by open air passages. The eastern side mainly consists of the generator room, balconies and corridors providing a rejoicing view of the scenery and the lake. Flood lights and a beautiful garden in the western side add to the splendour of the palace. There is an open stage in the garden, where cultural activities like drama were organised in ancient times. Also a motor boat ghat can be seen inside the palace, which has two stairs – one for Maharaja and the other for Maharani (queen). During winter, a large number of migratory birds flock here. October to March is the best time to visit the palace. Overall, Neer Mahal is an exciting tourist destination. The waters of Rudrasagar, the ferries and the palace itself transports you into an enchanting domain where the stones of past are delightfully co-existing with this modernising world.