Kolkata has so many locations for the visitors as well as the city dwellers to explore already. And there are few locations in the city as well that will attract you to visit the locations again and again. Because of the ambiance and the beauty of such locations these spots become the favourite spots for so many people. If you are looking for a location to enjoy some tranquility as you overlook the Ganges, I have a really good suggestion for you. You need to visit Babughat Kolkata and you would know why visiting here just once is not enough. Babughat Kolkata is one of the popular ghats in Kolkata that has always been a point of interest for tourists as well as locals.
However with the recent developments, Babughat Kolkata today looks even more attractive. And one of the main attractions here is the Babughat Ganga aarti. Yes, now Babughat gives a vibe of Varanasi and you can enjoy the Ganga Aarti here as well just like it takes place in the holy land of Varanasi. In this article I will mention everything that you need to know about Babughat, Ganga Aarti Babughat, Babughat Ganga Aarti time today and a lot more. This will be a helpful read for you if you are planning a trip to Babughat soon.
Babughat Kolkata
Location of Babughat Kolkata: BBD Bagh, Strand Road, Kolkata, West Bengal
Ticket price of Babughat Kolkata: There is no entry fee for Babughat. Also there is no Babughat Ganga Aarti ticket price as well. Everyone can visit Babughat at free of cost and enjoy the aarti there for free.
Timings of Babughat Kolkata: The ghat is open all day on all days of the week all through the year. However the Babughat Ganga Aarti time during summers is at 7 pm and during winter months it is 6 pm in the evening on all days.
How to reach Babughat Kolkata
By air
If you are travelling by air then the nearest airport to reach Babughat is the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. From the airport the ghat is 18.6 km away and you can reach there in about 53 minutes. The most convenient option would be to take a taxi or hire a cab to reach Babughat from the airport. You can hire a car to reach there as well.
By train
The nearest railway station to reach Babughat is the Howrah Railway Station. Howrah to Babughat distance is only 4.6 km away. It would take around 25 minutes to reach the ghat from the station. You can easily take a taxi or hire a cab to reach Babughat from there. Or you can also opt for buses as well. The Sealdah railway station is another nearest railway station to reach Babughat. From Sealdah station Babughat is only 4 km away and you can reach there in about 20 minutes.
By road
Kolkata is a great location when it comes to travelling by road. The city has an impeccable transport system and you can reach here from every nook and corner of the city. If you are travelling within the city then you can opt for the buses to reach here. The nearest bus stop is the Babughat bus stand which is only a 2 minute walking distance from Babughat. Babughat to Princep Ghat distance is only 1.7 km and you can reach there in about 5 minutes. So if you wish to cover both the locations in a single day you can definitely do that.
Also there is an interstate bus terminus here as well and you will get buses from locations like Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar etc to reach here. While travelling from Bhubaneshwar you can check out the Babughat to Bhubaneswar bus time table and it approximately takes around 8 to 9 hours to reach Babughat from there.
You can take a car or hire a cab or even take a yellow taxi to travel within the city. Also you can opt for reaching the ghat in your own vehicle as well.
By metro
The nearest metro stations to reach Babughat are Howrah Metro Station and Howrah Maidan Metro Station. From Howrah Metro Station Babughat is 4.4 km away and from Howrah Maidan Metro Station it is 5.3 km. You can reach the ghat in about 25 minutes from there if you are taking a cab or a car. Also you can take buses to reach the ghat from the metro stations as well.
Overview of Babughat Kolkata
The popularity of Babughat has always been there since the British period itself. From the time of its creation Babughat is one of the popular ghats along the Hooghly River. The impressive colonial structure of the ghat mixed with modern day structures makes it a popular tourist spot in Kolkata as well. People from all over visit this Ghat around the evening to spend some time and to enjoy some leisurely hours. You can enjoy a beautiful view of the Ganga River from the Ghat as you sit there. Also you can spot the Howrah Bridge or the Rabindra Setu in the backdrop as well. On the other side of it you can also enjoy the mesmerizing view of the much newer Vidyasagar Setu also.
This ghat is a religious ghat as well where various kinds of ceremonies take place. Also this is the most popular ghat when it comes to Durga idol immersions. The whole area transforms into a different vibe during the immersion procedures and a lot of visitors visit here only to witness the divine sight. However, even post death rituals are also common here as well. Along with that this ghat is a popular place for bathing too.
Overall, this ghat serves as a location of cultural importance and religious importance along with being a hotspot for leisurely activities. From spending hours chatting to walking through the ghat this is like an open space that people in the city loves visiting. At present the Ganga Aarti at Babughat is one of the major attractions in the evening that also attracts a good number of visitors here.
History of Babughat Kolkata
The Babughat is one of the oldest ghats in Kolkata built in 1830. A prominent Zamindar of Central Calcutta Rani Rashmoni built this ghat in the memory of her husband Late Babu Raj Chandra Das from whom the ghat derived its name. The idea behind the construction was to facilitate the public so that they can carry on daily activities like bathing and for performing religious ceremonies.
Architecture of Babughat
A strong colonial influence is very much evident in the architecture of the Babughat. At the entrance you will find a tall pavilion built in Doric Gothic style of architecture. This is like a landing berth and from here there are stairs that lead to the river. You will find a smaller separate section here which is the bathing area for women. But at present that is more of a garbage dumping area. Furthermore you will find a marble plaque here that states that Governor General Lord William Bentinck has donated a certain sum of money to encourage the creation of this Ghat. Also the plate states that the ghat is commissioned by the wife of Late Zamindar Late Babu Raj Chandra Das.
Riverfront Park in Babughat
The Riverfront Park or the Babughat Park is a promenade that offers a mesmerizing view of the famous Vidyasagar Setu and the Rabindra Setu. People often visit here to enjoy the beautiful view of the sunset along with the view of the twin bridges in a single frame.
Ferry Services at Babughat
The ferry services in Babughat are popular amongst the locals here who use this mode of transport to cross the river to reach either side. The charges of these ferries are really cheap and are a convenient mode of travelling and in avoiding the peak hour traffic on road. Other than regular ferries there are double decker ferries here as well. Also there are options of booking the ferries privately as well. If someone wishes to host a floating party they can book this ferry from the ferry counters. Keep in mind that booking depends on the availability here. The Inland Waterways Corporation maintains the functioning of these ferries from Babughat to Bally, Howrah, Chandpal Ghat and Telkal Ghat.
Babughat Ganga Aarti
The Ganga Aarti in Babughat is one of the recent attractions in the city that started from March 2023. Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee was hugely inspired by the Ganga Aartis on Dashaswamedha Ghat and she wanted something like that in Kolkata as well. So on the basis of that she inaugurated the Ganga Aarti in Kolkata. Also she inaugurated a temporary shrine of Maa Ganga at the ghat as well.
The aarti takes place every evening after sunset and it is a divine experience. The priests stand on 11 temporary pedestals and start the aarti by blowing the conch. Then they start reciting the hymns or mantras and continue the aarti for almost an hour. The sight here is mesmerizing and peaceful so if you are ever visiting here do not miss out on the aarti. Also there is no entry fee here but try to reach a little early to grab a good seat. And if you reach before the sunset you will also get to enjoy the stunning view of the sunset too.
Nearby locations to visit from Babughat
Eden Gardens is at a walking distance from Babughat so you can visit there. Millenium Park, Esplanade Market and Princep Ghat are also located nearby. For a great food experience you can plan a visit to the Floatel Restaurant Babughat located nearby and enjoy a sumptuous meal as well.
Wrapping Up!
So now you have this location to enjoy some time in peace and tranquility. While returning from office after a hard day make a visit to Babughat and enjoy the aarti there and you will instantly feel refreshed. Or this can be the ideal day out plan to visit here with your group of friends. The authorities maintain this ghat really well and you can spend some really good time here with your whole family too. So tell me when you are planning a visit to Babughat? Also let me know if this article on Babughat is helpful for you in planning a trip to Babughat in Kolkata.
