Places To Visit Around Barrackpore

ThiThis is the final blog in the Barrackpore series in which I have compiled all the places that one can visit at Barrackpore. I have listed down 28 places that you can visit in Barrackpore.

It is to be kept in mind that while some places are open to the public for direct access however for some places you do need prior permission.

How to visit the places in Barrackpore?

I would recommend you to have your two-wheeler or car so that you can cover all these places in a day. The distance if you see it on the map will be difficult to cover on foot. If you are visiting during the winter months then it can be a pleasant walk around these tourist places but summer can be very hot and prepare accordingly.

Location of these places on map

List of tourist places around Barrackpore

Annapurna Temple

If you look at it first then you might find the amazing resemblance to Dakshineswar Temple. Construction started around 1870 the temple design is that of Navaratna meaning it has nine pinnacles. The temple was constructed with the patronage of Jagadamba the youngest daughter of Rani Rashmani.

Lalkuthi Fire Station

This is the old fire station and even though the building is in shambles it gives you a good idea of the architectural heritage that this building once represented. The location of this building is right next to Annapurna Temple.

Barrackpore Park South Gate

This was once the original gate for Barrackpore Park during the British Raj. Now only the concrete structures remain and no gates can be seen. This is located on the main road junction between Annapurna Temple and Gandhi Ghat.

When this gate separated the Barrackpore park which consisted of parks, lakes, and even a zoo from the native quarters.

Barrackpore Government High School

Established in 1837 this school was built by George Eden who was Governor-General of India. The main old building still bears the old Neo-Gothic architectural style.

Jawaharkunja Park

There are two parks in this vicinity that are ticketed and open to the public. The one that comes first on the way towards Gandhi Ghat is the place where usually picnics happen. Shades along with a water supply are provided for cooking and resting. This section of the park is more of an open field with lots of trees along the side. This park is located right on the banks of the Hooghly River.

Avoid this park during the monsoon season as the park virtually becomes a pool of water and mud. Entry to the park would be Rs. 35 per person, if you wish to avail cooking facility then the charges are different.

Gandhi Ghat

After the death of Mahatma Gandhi, his ashes were taken to different parts of India to be immersed. Here a portion of the ashes is preserved for paying homage. A monument was constructed that houses a portion of the ashes of his mortal remains.

Photography is restricted inside the premises and one needs to pay special attention when visiting this place as this is a sacred monument of the Father of the Nation.

Jawaharkunja Range

Right next to Gandhi Ghat there is another park also known as Jawaharkunja but unlike the previous one, this is very well maintained with pristine garden and walkways. This part of the park is not meant for a picnic but instead for enjoying nature.

Entry to this place would be Rs. 35 for adults and Rs. 20 for children (3 – 12). You would need to purchase additional tickets for photography and videography.

Lady Canning Tomb

Previously one could walk straight from Jawaharkunja Range to the Lady Canning Tomb but at the moment entry has been restricted to tourists from this gate and only personnel from the West Bengal Police Training Academy (Swami Vivekananda Police Training Academy).

To visit this place one would need prior permission from them and then access this place from the main gate only.

This is the place where Lady Canning was buried. Her original ornated tomb was shifted away from this place due to damage from rain and humidity to St. Paul’s Cathedral first and then now to St. John’s Church in Kolkata.

Later the statue of Lord Earl Canning was installed here after being removed from the streets of Calcutta.

To know more about this place read this blog post:-

Tomb of Lady Canning in Barrackpore.

Barrackpore Government House

Once Barrackpore was considered as the summer place for Governor-General’s and Viceroy’s and thus this building served as their official residence. This building was expanded over the years and then post-independence was converted as a hospital. Recently restored this building now houses a museum in the basement.

To know more about this place read this blog post:-

Barrackpore Park Latbagan

Banyan Tree

This is the famous Banyan Tree which has often been referred to as the place from where Mangal Pandey was hanged for his execution. This is not true as he was hanged at the Barracks and not at a place that was back then a residential section.

The original tree suffered severe damage during hurricane Amphan and now only its branched-off section remains to be seen.

Bungalow No 2

Previously there were many thatched houses around the park. These were demolished and new ones built by Lord Elgin between 1863 – 1865. This included the Flagstaff House and Honeymoon Lodge.

Bungalow No 2 now serves as the hospital after it got shifted from the Government House.

Honeymoon Lodge

Bungalow No 3 is the Honeymoon lodge. This was the official residence of the Military Secretary. It got its name as in the year 1835 Hannah More and her husband Sir Charles Edward Trevelyan had spent their honeymoon here in this bungalow.

Currently, this building is the official residence of a senior official of West Bengal Police.

Aviary Pond

This was started by Lord Auckland (1835 – 1842)

Minto Fountain

As the name suggests it was started by Lord Minto. This fountain was right in between the Minto Flower Garden.

World War II Huts

Numerous Nissen Huts were built across Barrackpore during WWII to accommodate the American soldiers. Air Transport Command operated from Barrackpore and played a vital role in suppressing the advancing Japanese from the east.

Flagstaff House

This was a small structure with a single floor and was the official residence of the Private Secretary to the Governor-General.

Post-independence the first Governor of Bengal refused to stay at the more opulent Government House citing excessive expenditure and instead decided to use the Flagstaff House as the summer residence of the Governor.

Please note that to visit this place you need prior permission from the Governor House in Kolkata.

To know more about this place read this blog post:-

Flagstaff House Barrackpore

Cenotaph

This was constructed as a memorial to commemorate the 24 fallen officers. They died during the war of Java and Isle de France which we now know as Mauritius in 1810 – 1811.

An additional tablet was installed here by Lord Ellenborough in the year 1844. This was to commemorate the fallen soldiers at Maharajpur and Punniar in Gwalior.

It is to be noted that he also constructed another monument at Calcutta (Kolkata) near Fort William facing the Hooghly River which we now know as the Gwalior Monument.

Semaphore Tower

Located right next to the Flagstaff House within its compound is the Semaphore Tower. These were used before the advent of the Telegraph and were used for signaling with the flag and poles. Messages in form of signals were often relayed from one tower to the other.

Balustraded Bridge

This magnificent bridge was constructed by Lord Wellesly. This bridge stands over Moti Jheel.

West Gate

This is the gate which is located on the other side of Balustraded Bridge over Moti Jheel.

Mangal Pandey Ghat

Located right next to the Flagstaff House is this ghat on the Hooghly River. On the other side is Serampore. This Ghat has a separate road connecting it thus you do not need any separate permission to access this place.

Mangal Pandey Park

Located next to Mangal Pandey Ghat is the public park. This is a ticketed park and would require additional tickets for photography.

St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral

This church was earlier known as Garrison Church and was the main church for the barracks. Now this church functions as the cathedral for Barrackpore Diocese (CNI).

You can read more about this churn in this blog:-

St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral Barrackpore

Wesley Church

This church is roughly located around 400 meters from St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral. This church also is a church under Barrackpore Diocese (CNI). Unlike St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral which is an Anglican church, this church is a Methodist church established in 1883.

Old Houses

There are several old Kothis or Bungalows scattered around Barrackpore which are in ruins. While most of them are out of reach this particular one is located right next to the road and can be easily seen.

A word of caution, this place is slightly unsafe as the locals use this place as a spot for quick addiction. I was warned by local boys not to venture inside and just click photos from outside.

Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya

Mahatma Gandhi had during his lifetime visited Barrackpore a few times and loves the calm and quiet atmosphere surrounded by nature. So aptly a museum was built at Barrackpore which showcases the life and struggle of the Father of the nation.

From time to time they have a documentary show on Barrackpore which is projected in the AV Gallery. I would strongly suggest you watch this as this would give you immense knowledge about the history of Barrackpore.

Barrackpore Cemetery

This is a small cemetery and this is part of the Commonwealth War Graves as this place has 23 identified burials from WWI and WWII.

To know more about this place read this blog post:-

Barrackpore Cemetery Commonwealth War Graves

House of Surendranath Banerjee

Often referred to as the Rashtraguru he was one of the founding members of the Indian National Congress. His house now has been converted into a school.

If you start exploring early then you can finish visiting all these places within a day. Please refer to the map that I have inserted at the beginning of the blog, follow that sequence if possible then you can cover all these places with minimum overrun.

All these places have ample parking space thus you can easily get your vehicle and park while visiting different spots.