‘Kamasutra’ movie shot at MP’s heritage hotel:Bajirao-Mastani’s wedding also took place here; CM Dr. Mohan Yadav performs inauguration

The first heritage hotel of the Oberoi Group, ‘The Rajgarh Palace’, has opened 20 kilometres away from Khajuraho. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated it on November 19. The 350-year-old palace of the Bundela dynasty holds many stories. This palace is also connected to the marriage of Bajirao and Mastani. This palace, once known as the pride of the Bundela dynasty, has its own distinct history. The story of this dynasty, which began with mythological tales, continues until the palace became deserted. Even after the Rajgarh Palace became deserted, its shine and grandeur did not diminish. Its architecture is so magnificent that many Hollywood and Bollywood films have been shot here. You must remember director Mira Nair’s ‘Kama Sutra’. This movie, made in 1998, was shot right here. Actress Rekha was in the lead role. It was through this film that Mira Nair gained worldwide recognition. ‘The Rajgarh Palace’, after opening, the Dainik Bhaskar team reached Khajuraho’s historian and Bundela dynasty researcher Anurag Shukla. Anurag is also a well-known guide. We reached here with Anurag. He shared three interesting stories related to the palace. ‘Kamasutra’ was shot in this palace
We reached the garden in front of the palace with Anurag. Anurag says that this is the same place where actress Rekha’s part in the film ‘Kamasutra’ was shot. In this film, she played the role of a teacher. Her character was magnificent and educational. In the film, actress Rekha played the character of Ras Devi, who runs an ashram. An ashram where men and women, both boys and girls, come to learn ways of love. The other scenes of the film were shot inside the palace. Many films have been shot here. The Hollywood movie ‘The Deceiver’ directed by Ismail Merchant in 1988 was also shot here. Actor Shashi Kapoor also acted in this film. This is where Bajirao and Mastani got married
Anurag explains that the Bundela kings maintained their rule by compromising with Aurangzeb. After Aurangzeb’s death, his son Mohammad Shah sent his son Bangas to surround Maharaja Chhatrasal. In 1721, Mohammad Bangas surrounded Maharaja Chhatrasal and his family in Jaitpur fort. The Maharaja wrote a two-line letter to the Peshwa. In which he wrote… “The fate that befell the elephant and crocodile, that fate has come today. The game of Bundela is at stake, save the game Bajirao” Upon receiving the letter, Bajirao Peshwa came and saved Maharaja Chhatrasal from Bangas. After this, Maharaja Chhatrasal held an open court in Panna. There, he gave Peshwa the status of his third son. It was here that Mastani was married to Bajirao. There is also a door named Mastani in the Rajgarh Palace. Brother got brother killed
Anurag says that later, Maharaja Chhatrasal’s son Hriday Shah ruled for a long time. After his death, his son, Sabha Singh or Subhag Singh, ruled. Subhag Singh had three sons, Amang Singh, Hindu Pad and Khed Singh. Amang Singh was of a religious nature. He often lived in Chitrakoot or Kalinjar. Amang Singh’s younger brother, Hindu Singh, had him murdered in Chitrakoot. After this, he took control of the state. During this time, there was a famine in their estate. Then diseases like cholera and smallpox spread. People started leaving Rajgarh. During this time, Hindu Singh built a palace in Panna and left the Rajgarh palace. As a result, Rajgarh Palace became deserted. During British rule, the Bundela dynasty’s grip weakened. During this time, there was a king named Aniruddh Singh, whose minister Sune Shah Pawar separated from the Panna state and created a new state, which was named Chhatarpur state, and Rajgarh came under Chhatarpur state. Now learn about Rajgarh Palace
Anurag says that when we talk about Rajgarh, our attention goes to Rajgarh Palace, while Rajgarh is the name of a place where Rajgarh Palace is located. Above the place where Rajgarh is, there is also a fort called Maniyagarh. Its history is connected to the Chandelas. Elders in Bundelkhand say that the first king of the Chandela dynasty, Chandra Varman, was born in Maniyagarh. According to the story told here, there was an astrologer named Maniram. His daughter’s name was Hemavati. She had received a boon that when she had desires of lust in her mind, she could summon any deity. Once, King asked Hemavati’s father, Maniram, when Sharad Purnima was. By mistake, he said the date of Amavasya (new moon) was Sharad Purnima. When he realised the mistake, he told his daughter about it. That night, Hemavati invoked the Moon. The Moon stayed on Earth with Hemavati for 15 days, so the people of the kingdom did not realise it was Amavasya. During this time, Hemavati became pregnant. When Lord Chandra was about to return, Hemavati told him about her pregnancy. Chandrdev said that the son who would be born would be by the Karnavati river. He would become a powerful king. It is said that Hemavati gave birth to Chandra Varman in Maniyagarh fort. Later, this fort was named after Hemavati’s father, Maniram. Anurag says that these stories are also recorded in books written on the history of Bundelkhand. After this, many kings ruled this fort. Later, there was a king named Yashovarman. After conquering Kalinjar, he built the Lakshman and Vaikunth temples in Khajuraho. When the Bundelas ruled here, they established a new settlement called Rajgarh near Manigarh. Around 1668, Maharaja Chhatrasal expanded his kingdom up to Panna. During this time, he also incorporated Rajgarh into his state. Features of the Palace
Rajgarh Palace is a palace in Bundeli style. There are large rooms in all four corners. The main palace door is crown-shaped. It has paintings in Bundeli style. The palace is five-storied. The main entrance combines two floors together, where the Bundeli style can be seen. It also has a drum house. The stairs are built according to elephant foot placement. Guest visitors who came on elephants would dismount directly at the main entrance. ​