Ruins of Garpanchakot

The ruins of Garpanchakot are a hauntingly beautiful collection of stone and terracotta structures scattered across the southern foothills of Panchet Hill. These remnants serve as a “silent testimony” to the Bargi (Maratha) attacks of the 18th century, which turned a thriving royal capital into an abandoned forest site. The ruins are primarily categorized into 3 types of structures:

Ancient Temples: The most iconic structure is the Pancharatna Temple, a five-pinnacled terracotta marvel built in the Bishnupuri style. It features exquisite carvings on its arches and pillars, depicting mythological scenes like Radha-Krishna and Ganesha. Other notable shrines include the Jor-Bangla temple and various stone temples (in the Rekha-deul style) that were once dedicated to Shakti or Lord Rama.

Fortifications and Gates: True to its name (meaning “Fort of the Five Clans”), the site was protected by five layers of defensive walls. The Singha Dwar (Lion Gate) remains the primary historical entrance, though it now stands several kilometers away from the central ruins. A semi-circular moat, which once required a boat to cross, has now receded into a small pond but remains visible as part of the fort’s strategic layout.

Royal Structures: The remnants of the Rani Mahal (Queen’s Palace) spread over a vast 20,000 square feet. Though largely collapsed, its massive stone pillars and “Choon Surki” (lime and clay) masonry hint at its former scale. High on the hillside, at an elevation of about 600 feet, sit the Guard Quarters—a strategic watchtower made of solid rock slabs that offers a commanding view of the plains below.