Along Beach Road at Waltair in Visakhapatnam stands an architectural gem often referred to as the city’s own Taj Mahal: Kurupam Tomb. Known by various names such as Jnana Vilas, Prema Nivedana Rupam, and Gyanvilas, this monument is a tribute to love and loss, much like its more famous counterpart in Agra. Here’s its story:
Built in 1905, it was commissioned by Rajah Vyricherla Veerabhadra Raju, the Zamindar of Kurupam, in memory of his beloved wife, Rani Lakshmi Narasayamma Patta Mahadevi, who passed away in June 1901 due to complications during childbirth. The Rani, daughter of Maharajah Sir Goday Narayana Gajapathi Rao of Vizagapatam (the last Maharajah of Visakhapatnam), had married the Rajah in 1897. Their six-year-long union was tragically cut short, leaving behind a grieving husband who sought to immortalize her through this striking memorial. the structure blends Mughal, Rajasthani, and European architectural styles, reminiscent of the grandeur seen in other historical Indian monuments.
Despite being called a tomb, historical records, including a report from The Madras Mail in July 1901, confirm that the Rani was cremated, not buried. An English inscription at the site poignantly reads, “Here lies the body of my dearest Lakshmi and the heart of Veerabhadra Raju,” reinforcing the deep sorrow of her loss.
The most fascinating aspect of Kurupam Tomb or the Taj Mahal of Visakhapatnam is that the monument’s canopy once housed a 76 cm (2.5-foot) marble memorial, said to have been commissioned by the Rajah. The memorial itself has mysteriously disappeared, with conflicting accounts stating it was stolen, destroyed in the 1923 cyclone, removed for a Telugu film set in 1982, or safeguarded by the Kurupam family.
Rumors have long swirled around the origins and fate of this marble memorial. Some claim it was sculpted by renowned 19th-century artist Ravi Varma, though historical evidence suggests otherwise as Varma was a painter, not a sculptor.
Today, the Kurupam Tomb remains a forgotten relic of Vizag’s history, overshadowed by time but still standing as a silent testament to a love that once was.
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