Babughat Kolkata (Timings, History, Entry Fee, Images, Built by & Information)

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The most popular ghat along the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, among several ghats built during the British era is the Babughat. It is named after Late Babu Raj Chandra Das. The ghat is particularly famous for the history attached to it and due to its impressive colonial structure. The ghat is frequented by locals (especially office goers) and tourists alike who wish to spend some leisure time after a day’s hard work.

The view of the holy Ganges from the ghat is absolutely mesmerizing with the Howrah bridge, famously called as Rabindra Setu by the local population at one side and the newer Vidyasagar Setu on the other side. The sunset view from here is incredible.

The ghat is regularly used for bathing, performing religious ceremonies which also include idol immersion after every festival, be it Durga Pooja or Saraswati Pooja. It is also famous for open air body massage and leisure, attracting crowds from early morning till late evening. The landing berth of the ghat, which is a huge colonial structure, has fallen prey to encroachment by the priests and vendors who have made the building their home.

Between Kolkata and Dakshineshwar, there are, in all, 80 ghats built on both sides of the Hooghly River. Among the religious ceremonies that are carried out on the Babughat, the post-death rituals are most common wherein one can witness quite mixed emotions running in the atmosphere with chanting of the priests to family members seeking salvation for their loved one.

The ghat was built in 1830 by Rani Rashmoni, the wife of Babu Raj Chandra Das, who was the zamindar of Jan Bazar. The scenes at the Babughat are till date, very similar to the Calcutta that once was, far away from the showbiz of the new city.

Architecture of Babughat

The ghat is adorned by a tall and grand pavilion at the entrance, a colonial structure built in Doric-Gothic architectural style that has huge decrepit pillars, typical to that form of architecture. This structure serves as the landing berth of the ghat. There are stairs from the pavilion that lead to the river, which are mostly dilapidated and in various stages of being decayed.

There is a smaller section at the ghat which was made specifically as a designated bathing place for women alone which, however, has now sadly turned into a garbage dumping site.

There is a marble tablet or plaque beneath the pediment that states that Lord William Cavendish Bentick, the Governor General must be given a certain amount of credit for encouraging the construction of the ghat as an act towards improving public facilities. It also mentions that since the construction of the ghat was commissioned by the wife of Late Babu Raj Chandra Das, from her own personal expense, the ghat be named Babu Raj Chandra Das Ghat.

History of Babughat

Built in the year 1830, Babughat is the second oldest ghat of Calcutta. The ghat was commissioned by the then prominent zamindar of Jan Bazar, a prominent area in Central Calcutta, Rani Rashmoni in memory of her late husband, Late Babu Raj Chandra Das and hence the name.

Rani Rashmoni had erected the ghat with the intent to provide better facilities for the public and a better and cleaner place to carry out everyday rituals including bathing, offering prayers and religious ceremonies. Rani Rashmoni is known to have been the beacon of social reform initiatives of her time.

It is believed that it was the then Governor General, Lord William Cavendish Bentick who had encouraged the expenditure on building the ghat that allowed Rani Rashmoni to go ahead with her plan. The ghat, today, is 192 years old and has stood witness to numerous reforms ever since.

Riverfront Park at Babughat

This is more a promenade than park and offers the most beautiful view of Kolkata, which is, both famous bridges, Rabindra Setu and the Vidyasagar Setu in one single frame flanked opposite each other, on the Hooghly River. Come here during the sunset and you would fall in love with the place.

Ferry services at Babughat

The locals often use the ferry services to reach to the other side of the bank thereby avoiding the peak hour traffic rush on the road. The ferry rides across the Hooghly are exceptionally cheap and affordable along with the advantage of timely services. The ferries are spacious, less crowded and if it is a double decker ship, you might as well enjoy the breezy ride.

There are private ferries available if you wish to arrange a floating party; however, this facility depends on the availability of a ship which can be confirmed at the ferry counters at the ghat. The ferry services of West Bengal are maintained by Inland Waterways Corporation and ferries from Babughat operate to Chandpal Ghat, Howrah, Telkal Ghat and Bally.

Street Food at Babughat

There are numerous food carts available around Babughat. The street food of Kolkata is to die for and one must try them whenever they visit Babughat too. The typical street food menu includes phuchka, jhaal muri, bhel puri, rolls (veg and non-veg), ghugni chaat, sandwiches, masala chana chaat, jhuri bhaja and fruit juices.

Entry Fee and Timings of Babughat

There is no entry fee and the ghat is open to public 24/7

How to reach Babughat

Located at the city center and at a distance of around 5.5 kilometers from Howrah Junction Railway Station, Babughat is well connected to all parts of the city via rail, air, road and waterways.

There is a bus terminus right outside the ghat and intrastate buses run at regular intervals to and from Babughat. There is another bus terminus from where the interstate buses going towards Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha run.

If you are arriving in Kolkata by air, hire a cab from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport to reach Babughat.

Howrah Junction and Sealdah are two nearest railway stations to Babughat. You can either board an intrastate bus or hire a cab from top car rental companies in Kolkata to reach Babughat from either of the stations.

Places to visit near Babughat

There are numerous places within the vicinity of Babughat which include Eden gardens, BBD Bagh, Princep Ghat, Fort William, Esplanade market.

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Location Map for Babughat Kolkata