The original palace was destroyed in the 1897 Great Assam Earthquake, leading to its complete reconstruction in a neo-classical style.
The palace interior historically housed a vast collection of rare paintings, sculptures, and antique artifacts collected by the Zamindars.
The name 'Shashi' comes from the son of the zamindar, Shashi Kanta Acharya, who took over the estate after his father.
The central statue of the Greek goddess Venus was transported from Europe specifically for the palace gardens.
The building's floor plan includes a series of long, arched corridors designed to facilitate cross-ventilation in the humid climate.
It is locally referred to as the 'Rajar Bari' or King's House.
Shashi Lodge is a historic 19th-century palace located in the heart of Mymensingh, originally built by Zamindar Surya Kanta Acharya Chowdhury. Following the 1897 earthquake, the original wooden structure was reconstructed as a two-story masonry building with Greco-Roman architectural influences. The estate spans nine acres and features a central marble fountain with a statue of Venus. It currently functions as the Women's Teachers Training College, with the palace building serving as the campus office. The exterior displays ornate Corinthian columns, a grand entrance porch, and a rooftop garden area. The grounds are enclosed by iron railings and contain mature tropical foliage and large banyan trees.
The front entrance porch featuring the large Corinthian columns and the central garden fountain.
Walk the perimeter of the gardens to see the intricate wrought iron fence work.
Respect the educational nature of the site, as it remains an active college campus.
Visit during the late afternoon to observe the light hitting the white facade.
Do not enter office areas or classrooms without explicit permission; do not attempt to climb the statuary.
Closed on weekends and public holidays, consistent with the college schedule.
Maintain a quiet demeanor as it is an active educational institution; follow any restricted access signs for campus buildings.
