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ଓଡ଼ିଆ | ENGLISH

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Published By : Chinmaya Dehury
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Puri, Dec 15:The historic railway tracks of the old “garjat” rulers, namely Parlakimedi (Paralakhemundi) and Mayurbhanj were proof of the erstwhile rulers’ pro-people vision and their remnants are still doing the story-telling with the people of the bygone era.

On Sunday afternoon, members of Puri Heritage Walks (PHW) during their 16th heritage trail, encountered with a restored engine of the Nuapada–Gunupur line under the old Parlakimedi Light Railway (PLR), displayed on the lawn of Chanakya BNR Hotel, on the historic Chakratirtha Road.With more than 20 heritage enthusiasts from different parts of the State the walkers started it with a visit to Chanakya BNR Hotel, one of the prominent colonial-era heritage buildings of Puri.

Originally known as Ashworth Villa in 1922, the building was later purchased by the Indian Railways in 1925 and established as a railway guest house. Today, it is regarded as a symbol of Puri’s modern heritage.The participants were briefed in detail about the hotel’s history, architecture, and various phases of transformation by the property’s manager Pabitra Kumar Sarkar and the heritage enthusiasts were led by PHW advisor Debi Prasanna Nanda.

The historic steam railway engine PL 692, installed in front of the hotel, became a major attraction for the heritage enthusiasts. Considered a priceless heritage of the early phase of Indian Railways, the engine drew keen interest from the PHW members. This narrow-gauge engine was part of the Nuapada–Gunupur line under PLR.The participants also toured the hotel campus spread over three and a half acres.

They also visited the heritage restaurant, and viewed several antique artifacts that reflect the lifestyle and tastes of the bygone era. It is noteworthy that many eminent personalities from India and abroad, including former prime ministers Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, Nobel award winning poet Rabindranath Tagore, film maker Satyajit Ray had been guests at this hotel in the past. The hotel was also a favourite destination for Biju Patnaik.