Visitors’ Center at the Royal Gardens of Rajnagar by Dharatal

A Contemporary Tribute to Bundeli Heritage through Architecture and Community Empowerment

Nestled in the heart of Rajnagar, Madhya Pradesh, the Visitors’ Center at Pateriya ka Bagh, designed by Dharatal, is a contemporary architectural intervention rooted in heritage conservation, sustainable design, and community development. Commissioned by the Belgian Chapter of the Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development (ITRHD), the project was initiated in 2016 and officially inaugurated in April 2022.

Set within the grounds of Pateriya ka Bagh, one of fifteen historic produce gardens created by the Chhatarpur royal family between the 18th and 19th centuries, this modest 142 m² center serves a multi-functional role—as an interpretation pavilion for the Royal Gardens of Rajnagar, a training facility for organic farming, a vocational center for local women and youth, and a repository for an organic seed bank.

Reviving the Spirit of Bundelkhand’s Lost Gardens

The Royal Gardens of Rajnagar, formerly known as the Lost Gardens of Khajuraho, are a series of walled landscapes that historically featured Shiva temples, outhouses (kothis), samadhi platforms, draw-wells, and stepwells, connected by a network of irrigation channels. With ITRHD funding the conservation of these historic gardens, the architectural brief for the Visitors’ Center was to respectfully reinterpret the traditional Bundeli typology without creating a pastiche.

Architectural Design: Contextual, Climate-Responsive, and Community-Oriented

Built adjacent to an existing Shiva temple where a historic kothi once stood, the load-bearing structure of the new Visitors’ Center was constructed using locally sourced lime, brick, and stone. The design reimagines the original one-room kothi with an accessible stairwell tower that references the stepwells of Bundelkhand, while also passively cooling the roof by casting northern shadows.

A verandah stretches across the front, functioning as a community platform for folk music concerts, festival feasts, and local gatherings, reinforcing the center’s social mission.

Traditional Details with a Modern Twist

The interiors are naturally lit and cross-ventilated, thanks to a carefully calibrated architectural palette. Pivoted arched wooden doors, terracotta jaalis, and recessed fenestrations offer climate adaptability while evoking historical motifs. The rear elevation remains solid, mimicking the original kothi’s design and protecting the space from the harsh western sun—an intentional decision that also allows for an exhibition wall within the interior.

Three standout features are the aluminum-crafted jharokhas—a contemporary reinterpretation of Bangaldar-style balconies—custom-made on site, bridging traditional symbolism with lightweight modern construction. The roofing system uses locally available gneiss stone, lending durability while reducing thermal gain.

Additionally, universal access has been integrated with the inclusion of ramps leading to both the main pavilion and the rear toilet block, ensuring inclusive design for all users.

Reclaiming Heritage for the Future

This Visitors’ Center is more than just an architectural addition—it's a catalyst for rural revival. It represents how heritage architecture, when sensitively reinterpreted, can support education, sustainability, women’s empowerment, and rural livelihoods.

By fusing local materials, traditional building knowledge, and contemporary architectural language, Dharatal’s design sets a precedent for low-carbon, context-driven development that honors its past while empowering its future.

All photographs are works of Rahul Palagani - Studio Nara, Dharatal, DFG