BHUBANESWAR: Rajmata of Mayurbhanj, Bharati Rajya Laxmi Devi, passed away on Sunday at the age of 94 at The Belgadia Palace in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district.
She was born on February 8, 1927, to King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah and queen Kanti at the Narayanhiti Royal Palace, Kathmandu in Nepal.
Rajmata, formerly princess Adhirajkumari of the kingdom of Nepal, was educated privately and later married Maharaja Sri Pradeep Chandra Bhanja Deo, Maharaja of Mayurbhanj, on February 8, 1952.
Rajya Laxmi is succeeded by her four children and their subsequent children and grandchildren. She has three daughters and one son, current head of Bhanj dynasty Maharaja Praveen Chandra Bhanjdeo.
She was a philanthropist and strong advocate for women's education and empowerment. Odisha BJP leaders, Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP national vice president Baijayant Panda condoled the death of the Rajamata.
Hemanta Pradhan writes for the Times of India on education, hospi...
Read MoreHemanta Pradhan writes for the Times of India on education, hospital issues, transport, agriculture & tribal affairs. He has been working as a journalist since 2011. He has a PG degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from Berhampur University. He has won Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitivity.
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