After being locked down for half a century, ‘Bari Kothi’, 4 hours from Kolkata, located on the banks of River Ganges was magically restored, over 5 years, into the first Grand Heritage Hotel of East India led by brother-sister duo Darshan Dudhoria & Lipika Dudhoria. They engaged Canadian restoration specialist architect Dr. Samar Chandra to restore Bari Kothi, which later turned to a zero waste project. Functioning on the principle of adaptive reuse, Bari Kothi is completely taken care of by the local community.
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About
Darshan Dudhoria is a lawyer turned heritage entrepreneur and philanthropist who is working towards changing the face of heritage tourism in Bengal. Lipika Dudhoria is the head of operations at Bari Kothi. The brother-sister power duo have created Bengal’s first ever restored, rustic heritage hotel that has opened doors to sustainable and conscious tourism in rural Bengal, utilizing the local community in all it's facets of operation.
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HeritageLike a beacon of hope,Canadian restoration specialist and consultation architect Dr. Samar Chandra stepped into the premises of dilapidated Bari Kothi, and the rest was history.
Bari Kothi offers 15 Suites, 3 Dining Experiences and more than 50 curated Experiences.
Best Palace/Heritage Hotel before 1950
Heritage Grand Property
Sustainable Leadership Award 2023
Top 10% of Hotels Worlwide 2021
"On a West Bengal holiday from the UK, Bari Kothi was a very special and memorable experience. We arrived after a long journey into a beautifully restored 1750s mansion. We were looked after very professionally and with great care and friendship. The staff, who are all from the local area, were always willing to help and show us around. The food was delicious and as many dishes were new to us, the staff were happy to explain the cuisine. Breakfast by the Ganges and a sunset trip up the river were idyllic experiences. The friendship of everyone at Bari Kothi made it so special. A unique place to stay which I would definitely recommend"
"We happened visit "Bari kothi".Azim gunj murshidabad,...our 2 two day stay at "Bari kothi " Was indeed fabulous experiance...it was very enriching experiance to know about the families which were in forefront Indian business 300 years ago,..and culture of the people worth learning."
"This is an island of splendor and service in a city which has suffered a decline over the centuries. A 1750’s historical landmark which has been revived painstakingly to its original state reflecting the opulence of its geopolitical importance and wealth in times gone by. The host and staff are impeccable and the vegetarian food is crafted with local flavors and vegetables some of which even I, originally from Calcutta, have never savored before. The evening boat ride on the Ganges was memorable. We are grateful for the experience"
"Bari kothi was the highlight of my Indian visit. The place is not only stunning, the locals employed are sweet and sincere, they were attentive and courteous. Hats of to the brother- sister owners who have laboured over the restoration and created a unique experience for the guests. A must visit surrounded by historic sites. The Ganges sunset boat ride was serene The Shehrewali cuisine is the best vegetarian tradition we were able to taste. Thanks to Lipika"
"Excellent service, wonderful staff, outstanding food, lovely room ..... It is a long drive from Kolkata and the approach through the market is challenging but once you enter the property you this is soon forgotten. Meals were in different parts of the hotel and breakfast on the banks of the Bhagirathi was superb."
"Honestly this is a hidden gem near Kolkata. The entire team from Abhirup to Vikram is superb and very caring. This kind of service is very difficult to get anywhere in India. The food was surprisingly exceptional. Especially the Bengali cuisine served on clay plates. Overall a wonderful place to visit with friends and family."
The project took the name of ‘Project Priceless’ which involved the local community in the herculean task of restoration. 1 man, 150 rural people and 5 years later, the magician had achieved what stands as Bari Kothi Heritage Hotel today. The actual groundwork of the restoration was carried out by very ordinary and unskilled labour from the local community and that became the very ethos of the project. The end result was that more than 50 unskilled labourers became skilled and are now involved in all facets of operation of the property.
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Responsible TourismThe endeavour to restore one’s ancestral heritage had turned into
Bengal’s First Grand Heritage Hotel of East India.
Bari Kothi aligns itself with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and works persistently to promote sustainable and responsible tourism. Every action arises from its commitment to the local community within which it operates. Rethinking and reimagining tourism has been the sole endeavour for Bari Kothi since its very inception. The vision is to expand the idea of ‘sustainable tourism’ with an awareness that is both inclusive and at the same time expansive.
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Responsible TourismBari Kothi takes pride in its ability to curate guest experiences that is born out of its intimate bonding with the community and nature. This forms the USP of Bari Kothi as a tourist destination, transcending it from a mere weekend getaway to something that is both uplifting, and informative.
For information
91 9051200800
A two hour boat ride through the Ganges while you experience a blissful sunset. Includes organic farm visit and tea and snacks on the boat itself. It is one of a kind serene experience on the river.
Murshidabad is famous for it's folk music and dance. Enjoy a culturally immersive experience as the humble Baul community sing and perform in the picturesque Bada Angan. Dance to Bengal folk while enjoying High Tea.
Every nook and cranny of Bari Kothi is laden with stories and history. We have taken the humble art of story-telling and revived its heritage, as we have revived Bari Kothi. Enjoy story-telling experience under the tree, as we take you time traveling through the pages of history.
Murshidabad is a historically famed land with multiple palacs, mosques and temples dotting the entire landscape. Heritage Walk through the narrow alley ways of Azimganj forms a signature part of a tell-tale Bari Kothi experience.
Bari Kothi experience involves visiting organic farms and procuring your favourite fruits and vegetables fresh from the garden. Learn to cook them into delectable delicacies in a live session with our in-house chef.
High Tea at Bari Kothi is our take on the British practice of having an array of tea with five course of snacks. We have put our very own Sheherwali touch to it. Enjoy High tea while enjoying tell-tale Bengali Baul Folk music.
Murshidabad has always been world famous for its fine quality of silks and muslins. Visit & interact with locals at Tantipara (weaver’s village) & Islampore (important area for sericulture). You also get a chance to weave your initials on a silk fabric you buy from them!
The beautiful flower pots that you see all around Bari Kothi, are constructed by our very own potter. You can feel this experience not only visually, but also creatively. We have beautiful pottery sessions, where you can enjoy the fullest and make your own craft.
The local artists here share their expertise and an opportunity to our guests to learn & create something new and desi. Workshops such as pottery making, shola art, kantha stitching, and block printing are offered in-house.
The clear night sky over Azimganj, Murshidabad provides a perfect opportunity to spot the stars. The magical experience of seeing the moon through our telescopic setup at mid-night is a magnificent adventure all together.
Erstwhile Zamindars of Murshidabad, the Dudhoria family migrated from Rajasthan to Azimganj on the call of the soon to be famed ‘world banker’ Jagat Seth. The ‘Sheherwalis’ as they like to call themselves were Jains setting up businesses in the erstwhile district of Maksudabad, now known as Murshidabad. Budh Singh Dudhoria did not only carry out a successful business but was devoted in philanthropic activities such as feeding the poor, furthering the cause of female education, building shelters for the homeless and many charitable funds. As his charities extended, so did his reputation, and when Sir Ashley Eden, then Lieutenant-Governor of the then Bengal, visited Jangipore, he was conferred with the title of ‘Rai Bahadur’
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Heritage
Bari Kothi offers tailor-made curated experiences based on its guests. Guests can choose between our Heritage Itinerary, Textile Itinerary or our signature tailor-made 'I-want-to-see-it-all' Itinerary.
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Itinerary
Royal suites that exude an old world charm.
7 open courtyards adorn the property.
Even though it is a rural area, every room is well connected with wifi.
We have complimentary pick and drop service from station.
Tea with an array of delectable snacks in the evening combined with music, makes up for the best high tea experience.
Sustainability is what we promote and hence our toiletry kit is made of bamboo and locally sourced sustainable ingredients.
The two goals that guided the restoration of Bari Kothi - (i) Restoration to be done in a sustainable manner (ii) Restoration should help in the upliftment of the local community. These two core values are the pillars that give substance to its dreams.
The experiences at Bari kothi is defined primarily by the local character of the region. This means that inspite of having its unique features, Bari Kothi stands as a specimen of the traits of the local community.
Bari Kothi is establised on the bank of river Bhagirathi, a branch of river Ganga and is considered to be a City Palace in the town of Azimganj. Belonging to the Jain community, our family follows Ahimsa, meaning non-violence and believes ‘all life on Earth is sacred and everything has a right to live fearlessly to its maximum potential’. We at Bari Kothi try and reduce wastage of any kind and conserve as mush possible.
To run our ecosystem satisfactorily, we believe we have to take care for our environment sturdily. To achieve the ultimate plan for our property progress, we prioritise people( the locals) and the nature. It is a pact that we take seriously both in our own interests and those of the regions where we are present.
Reservation
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