Prinsep Ghat

Prinsep Ghat, Kolkata

Prinsep Ghat on the banks of Ganges at Kolkata

Prinsep Ghat is one of the oldest recreational spots of Kolkata. The Ghat was named after James Prinsep. Located along the banks of the beautiful Hooghly River (River Ganges), the Ghat is surrounded by greenery and overlooked by the Vidyasagar Setu. Around evening, people flock the place and enjoy long strolls along the bank. There are many food-stalls nearby that sell a variety of street delicacies. There is also 50 year old ice-cream cum fast-food joint near the Ghat, which is popular among the crowds, especially the youngsters. People can conduct rituals and take a bath or go for boat rides. The short river cruises on the traditional wooden boats and speedboats are available nearby.

After the recent beautification of the Prinsep Ghat premises with gardens, lawns, park benches and shady trees, the Ghat has become a very peaceful retreat for nature lovers. You can take a nice long walk along the riverside through the gardens and trees.

Location of Prinsep Ghat at Kolkata

It is located near Strand Road, beside the banks of Hooghly River.

History of Prinsep Ghat at Kolkata

The Prinsep Ghat was built in the memory of James Prinsep who was an extraordinarily brilliant Anglo-Indian researcher and scholar. He carried tenacious research works on meteorology, chemistry, Indian scriptures, numismatics, archaeology, mineral resources etc. His most remarkable achievement in his lifetime has been when he deciphered the Brahmi Script doctrines of Emperor Ashoka, from the inscriptions in rocks and boulders. He also served as the honorable Secretary of the prestigious Asiatic Society from 1832-1838. However, James Princep died on 22nd April, 1840 at the early age of 41. In is honor, the Palladian porch memorial was built in 1843 and was designed by W. Fitzgerald. The memorial is set in a square with Ionian Columns holding up a 40 foot roof painted entirely in white. The monument rich in Greek and Gothic inlays was restored by the state’s public works department in November 2001 and has since been well-maintained. In its initial years, all the royal British entourages used the Princep Ghat jetty for embarkation and disembarkation.

 

Trivia of Prinsep Ghat at Kolkata

  • A song of Bollywood film Parineeta was shot here on the ghats. The ghat is also a popular shooting location for local and national television stations as well as a coveted place for many societal gatherings and important functions of Kolkata.
  • Prinsep Ghat also has a railway station named after it, which falls under Kolkata Circular Railway and maintained by Eastern Railway. The station code is PPGT.
  • There is a jetty nearby called the Man-O-War jetty that belongs to the Kolkata Port Trust and commemorates the role played by the Port in the Second World War. The jetty is mainly used by the Indian Navy, and is properly maintained.