Places To Visit Around Serampore

I have almost covered all the important places around Serampore in individual blog posts. Apart from these individual blog posts, I have quite a few of them which I plan to post altogether making a big list of places around Serampore.

So in this blog, I have listed down all the famous places in Serampore that you can. I have divided the list into three main categories Danish Heritage, Bonedi Bari, and Temples.

The list of places that would be covered in this blog with Danish connection are:-

Henry Martyn’s Pagoda

Aldeen House

Serampore College

Serampore Johnnagar Baptist Church

Danish Cemetery

Mission Cemetery

Danish Government House (Serampore Court)

St Olav’s Church

Jail

Danish Canal

Immaculate Conception Church

The Denmark Tavern

Vheto

The list of Rajbari (Palatial Homes):-

Serampore Rajbari

Vivekananda Nidhi

Seal Mansion

Bose House

Dey Bari

Unique Lodge

Important Temple:-

Radha Ballav Temple

Madanmohan Jiu Temple

Ram Sita Mandir (Temple)

Jagannath Temple

Rath of Mahesh

Location of These Places on Map

Henry Martyn’s Pagoda

This is an old abandoned Radha Ballav temple that was no longer in use and became a residence of Anglican Missionary Henry Martyn who had come to India under the contract of East India Company to serve as a pastor for the serving men. Before starting his deputation, he had come to Serampore and stayed inside the abandoned temple.

To know more about this place you can read this blog.

Aldeen House

This was the residence of Rev. David Brown serving under the East India Company. And with his invitation, Henry Martyn comes to Serampore. The old abandoned temple was located within the boundary walls of the property.

This was also the very building where students were taught before the construction of the Serampore College building.  This building is in desperate need of repairs and is now inaccessible due to excessive vegetation.

You can read more about this place on my blog about Henry Martyn’s Pagoda.

Serampore College

This college was started by the Serampore Trio consisting of William Carey, Joshua Marshman, and William Ward in 1818 and became the first college in India to offer a degree of students and still is the only college in India which can confer theology degrees.

To know more about this place you can read this blog.

Serampore Johnnagar Baptist Church

This church is located very near to Serampore college and this was the first house that was occupied by William Carey, Joshua Marshman, and William Ward. This building was also their first house of worship belonging to the Baptist Mission.

Right opposite this church there is a small strip of land next to the Hooghly River. This is the spot where William Carey performed the first Baptism on a native. The location is marked with a concrete cross.

Danish Cemetery

This small cemetery contains tombs and graves of Danish governors and other members of the Danish contingent that once ruled this section of the river. This cemetery has been recently restored and at the back of this cemetery is the Roman Catholic cemetery.

To know more about this place you can read this blog.

Mission Cemetery

This cemetery belongs to the Baptist Mission of Serampore and has the graves of William Carey, Joshua Marshman, and William Ward. Apart from these three it also has graves of other prominent people from the ministry.

To know more about this place you can read this blog.

Danish Government House

This was the main seat of the Danish rule of Serampore. This was their main administrative building as well as the governor’s house.

To know more about this place you can read this blog.

St Olav’s Church

This is one of the grandest churches in Serampore with a history directly linking to the Danish rule of Serampore. After its recent renovation which has received a UN award this place is a must-visit.

To know more about this place you can read this blog.

Jail

This building is now the Serampore Subsidiary Correction Home but by the embossed date on the main gate, you can see that this was also one of the buildings that were constructed during the Danish rule of Serampore.

This building was engineered by Major, B. A. von Wickede the same person who was also part of the construction of St. Olav’s Church and Serampore College.

Danish Canal

Although this is just a Khaal (canal) during the Danish rule of this region this was known as the Danish Canal. This is still very much present but in rather a smaller form. This canal connects to the Hooghly River.

Immaculate Conception Church

This is the Roman Catholic Church of Serampore and also happens to be the oldest church of Serampore built-in 1776. At that time, however, it was a smaller church with expansions done in later years.

The Denmark Tavern

This was once in complete ruins and after its restoration is now a restaurant and one of the sought-after destinations in Serampore.

In 1786 this place was a lodge along with a café. Serampore being the Danish post was out of the English jurisdictions thus this place became infamous during its time for people wanting a quick getaway place.

After its recent restoration, this place has been restored to its glory.

Vheto

This restaurant is located within the Danish Government House Compound. The old canteen building has been renovated and is back in business. You have to give it to them for the ambiance and the quality of food. This place is just perfect for a traditional Indian meal.

Serampore Rajbari

This is a prime example of the Raj era of this region wherein the native Zamindars seemingly merged their trading with the foreign traders. Once they were the richest of the lot and that can easily be made out by the grandeur of the palatial building that they built.

Over the years the money has declined and that has resulted in the worn-down structure. If you plan to visit this place during Durga Puja then don’t miss out on their Bonedi Pujo. Originally, they were Goswami and were rich merchants. This house was built by Raghuram Goswami around the 1820s.

Vivekananda Nidhi

Originally this house was built by Kishorilal Goswami who was one of the sons of Raghuram Goswami. This house was built around 1910.

Later this house was donated to public charitable trust in the 1980s and is now part of that mission.

Seal Mansion

This is another affluent family of Serampore who had built this red-colored palatial building.

Bose House

This is a dilapidated building on T. C. Goswami Street located right next to Walsh Hospital.

Dey Bari

This is also the house that once belonged to the affluent Bonedi family in Serampore. You can visit this place during Durga Pujo which they celebrate within their compound.

Unique Lodge

This is a unique house as it has a vast collection of antiques.

Radha Ballav Temple

Built by Nayanchand Mallik in 1764 this temple has a connection with Henry Martyn’s Pagoda since the original temple which was next to the river banks was abandoned due to continuous erosion and this new temple was built and the deity shifted here. You can read more about the history of this temple in Henry Marty’s Pagoda blog.

Madanmohan Jiu Temple

This is another Vaishnavite temple in Serampore. The original temple was present during the Danish rule. The one that you see now has been rebuilt with grants from the East India Company.

Ram Sita Mandir

This is a very significant temple as this is the reason why this place is referred to as Serampore. The temple was built in the year 1753 by Raja Monohor Roy.

Jagannath Temple

After Puri Rathayatra this is the second oldest Rathayatra which dates back to 1396. And this is the main Jagannath Temple in which the deities are kept.

Rath of Mahesh

This is the chariot in which the deities are carried around by the devotees. This is not the ancient chariot but one that has been built recently by Martin Burn Company.