Kolkata is a city that loves chatting, hanging out, picnics and day outs. Maybe that is the reason you will always find people here in groups hanging out or roaming around alone in parks, or gardens. One such location in Kolkata which holds a special place in the heart of the city dwellers is Prinsep Ghat Kolkata. Prinsep Ghat is one of the oldest locations that you will find in the city that people love to visit as a recreational area. Here people visit during the evening, after a long day to rejuvenate themselves. Furthermore this location reflects artistic brilliance and majestic natural beauty as the Hooghly River flows by. From activities like boating to picnics and day outs, locations like this pump the essence of the city.
You can check out the Prinsep Ghat photos to check out how beautiful the location is. And you certainly need to visit here if you are thinking of exploring the city. You will certainly enjoy a different vibe of the whole city once you visit the leisurely area of Prinsep Ghat. Keep on reading this article as I will mention everything that you need to know about Prinsep Ghat Kolkata. This will be a helpful read for you if you are planning a trip there.
Prinsep Ghat Kolkata
Address: Fort William, Hastings, Kolkata, West Bengal
Prinsep Ghat timing: Open all day throughout the year
Entry fee: There is no entry fee
How to Reach
By air
If you are travelling by air then the nearest airport to reach the Prinsep Ghat Kolkata is the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. From the airport the location is about 24.7 km and it would take around 50 minutes to reach there. You can take the city buses to reach there from the airport or else you can also take a cab or hire a car as well.
By train
If you are travelling by train then the nearest railway station to reach here is the Sealdah station which is about 7.7 km away from the Prinsep Ghat. From Sealdah Station you can reach Prinsep Ghat in about 25 minutes. Another major railway station is the Howrah railway station which is 10 km away from Prinsep Ghat. You can reach there in about half an hour from the railway station. The most convenient way to reach there would be to get taxis or book a cab to reach the location. You can however take the buses plying on this route as well to reach there conveniently. Also the Prinsep Ghat railway station is another important railway station as well which is a part of the Kolkata Circular Railway.
By road
If you are travelling by road then you can take the several city buses going towards that direction from different parts of the city. Also another option to reach there is by taking a cab or hiring a car. Also you can take your own vehicle as well to reach the location. You will find parking here so travelling by own vehicle would not be a hassle.
By metro
You can also opt to reach Prinsep Ghat Kolkata by metro as well. The nearest metro stations are the Park Street Metro Station and the Esplanade Metro Station. From the Park Street Metro Station Prinsep Ghat is located at a distance of 4.9 km and it would take around 10 minutes to reach there. However from the Esplanade Metro Station the Ghat is located 5.2 km away and it would take around 15 minutes to reach there. You will have to either take buses or you can also take a yellow taxi or a cab to reach Prinsep Ghat from the metro stations.
Best time to visit
The ideal time to visit here would be the time period from November to February. These are the colder months in the city and you will be able to enjoy the whole area comfortably if you are visiting at that time. Avoid visiting during the scorching summer, especially during the afternoon. You can however visit here during the early summer mornings or evenings though to enjoy the cool breeze. Also avoid visiting during the monsoon as the boating activities are often suspended here in case of heavy rain and thunderstorm activities. So you need to plan your trip accordingly.
Overview of Prinsep Ghat
Located along the banks of the River Hooghly the Prinsep Ghat Kolkata is like a respite for the city dwellers from the hustle and bustle of the city life. Even though it is located at the heart of the city itself, as a location Prinsep Ghat Kolkata is a tranquil location. For a day out amidst nature Prinsep Ghat is a perfect spot that you can choose to visit. People from all age groups can visit here and enjoy their time here. You might spot an elderly couple here, or middle aged men chatting and spending some time here. Also you might spot a younger couple spending some quality time here, or a family enjoying their day out and even children or teenagers playing or hanging out here.
This is one such location in the city that offers something or the other to everyone, and that is what makes it special. Prinsep Ghat Kolkata is also one of the popular sightseeing spots in the city itself. And if you are exploring the city then you must explore this site. You can witness the splendid view of the Howrah Bridge from this location as well. Also the structure of the Prinsep Ghat very much reminds of the colonial days long gone. It is also one of structures in the city which is restored in a way to reflect the pre independence charm of the structure.
What’s more?
Furthermore this location is like a happy picnic spot for the city dwellers. Also for the natural beauty of this location this site is a popular shooting spot as well. A lot of film shootings have taken place here. One of the popular films shot here is the Bollywood film Parineeta starring Vidya Balan and Saif Ali Khan. Also the site is very popular these days for professional shoots like pre wedding shoots, maternity shoots as well as portfolio shoots. With street food to munch on and to enjoy the boat ride here, it would be the ultimate day out for you in the city. So make sure you make a plan to visit this spot if you are planning to explore Kolkata.
History of Prinsep Ghat
The Prinsep Ghat Kolkata is one of the oldest recreational spots in the city itself. The construction of the Ghat goes back to 1841 and it is one of the landmarks in the city as well. This iconic location goes back to the time of British rule. In 1841 during the time of this construction the ghat was named after an Anglo Indian Researcher and scholar James Prinsep. Therefore the ghat is also popular as the James Prinsep Ghat in the city as well.
James Prinsep was a remarkable scholar who has contributed heavily in the fields of Indian archeology, scriptures and meteorology. Also he was the secretary of the Asiatic society at one point of time. Furthermore he is the one who deciphered the Brahmi script on the Ashokan rock inscriptions as well. To honour him after his death in 1843, W. Fitzgerald built a Palladian Porch here. During the British period this ghat was mostly a site of recreation for the British. The British royalty used to visit this location to use the jetty here for boarding passengers.
Architecture of Prinsep Ghat
Located on the bank of the Hooghly River the Prinsep Ghat Kolkata is a beautiful location and a popular sightseeing spot in Kolkata. This is basically a ghat and by stepping on small stone steps you can reach the water here. The main attraction of this location is the Palladian porch at the centre. This is an architectural marvel and reflects the Gothic and Greek style of architecture. Also a very heavy influence of the colonial era is also prevalent in the structure as well. The structure is white in colour and stands brightly amidst the greenery around. This is a square structure which stands on Ionian columns. The ceiling is forty foot high and looks beautiful and prominent.
Things to do at Prinsep Ghat
This is one of the most popular spots for sightseeing as well as day out in the city of Kolkata. Other than admiring the beauty of this location there are some activities that you can enjoy here.
Boating
Prinsep Ghat boating is undoubtedly one of the most popular activities here that you can enjoy at the Ghat. Here you will find river cruises as well as traditional wooden boats and speedboats. You can choose any of these according to your preference. Also each ride here continues for 30 minutes to an hour. The best time for a boat ride here would be from 6 am to 9 am and again in the evening from 5 pm to 7 pm. So make sure you enjoy the boat ride here.
Food
The food that you get here is again one of the highlights of visiting this location. From small stalls to ice cream parlours to street carts here you will get multiple options for food. You can try the chaats here like Papri chaat or dahi puchka, and bhel puri. Also you can try kulfi and ice creams here as well. If you want you can sip on some hot coffee or tea along with some biscuits. You will also find some stalls selling egg rolls or street style chowmin here as well. So you will be literally spoiled for choices when it comes to food here.
Walking
A location like this should be explored well and what can be better than walking. You can walk through the lawns here or enjoy walking on the walkway as well. With the gentle breeze blowing you will certainly enjoy the ambiance here a lot.
Wrapping Up!
So that is all about the Prinsep Ghat Kolkata and you need to visit this location for sure. After a visit to this beautiful location you would fall in love with the ambiance of the city even more. So let me know when you are visiting the Prinsep Ghat. Also let me know if this article is helpful for you in planning a trip to this location.
