“I feel like now, if you search Mayurbhanj on the web, the narrative is completely different, so that is one step closer to what I did want to achieve,” says Princess Mrinalika Bhanj Deo, co-founder of the palace-turned-boutique-stay, Belgadia Palace.
While the boutique stay, since its opening, has earned several accolades and cemented itself as a bucket-list experience, the royal sisters who steered in this direction are equally laser-focused on ensuring that behind all the grandeur, the impact on the local community and celebrating the region's heritage remains a top priority. In this exclusive interview with Outlook Traveller, Bhanj Deo takes us through her memories of childhood days spent in the palace, the process of restoring an 18th-century structure, and what it takes, as an entrepreneur, to empower the local community and traditional artisans.