Barrackpore is a cantonment town in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. The town is enriched with the outbreak of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The rebellion began in this town under the leadership of Mangal Pandey. The tree from which Mangal Pandey and Ishwari Pandey were hanged is still there. However, Barrackpore is more than just the origin of the historic rebellion and the scenic beauty of the Hooghly River is something you should not miss.
Get in
[edit]By train
[edit]- 1 Barrackpore railway station.
By car
[edit]You can reach Barrackpore from Kolkata through Barrackpore Trunk Road (BT Road). Kalyani Expressway bypasses the Barrackpore outskirts.
By ferry
[edit]Get around
[edit]See and do
[edit]- 1 Annapurna Temple. A Hindu navaratna (nine-pinnacled) heritage temple with a striking resemblance to the Dakshineswar Kali Temple. It was built in 1875 by Jagadamba Devi, the youngest daughter of Rani Rashmoni. Inside the temple complex is a Natmandir, six Shiva temples and two Nahabatkhanas.
- 2 Barrackpore Government House. Used to be a suburban residence of the Viceroy of India.
- 3 Gandhi Ghat.
- 4 Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalay (Gandhi Museum).
- Jawahar Kunj.
- 5 Lady Canning's grave, Latbagan. Lady Canning, who died in 1861, was buried at Barrackpore. She remains fresh in the Bengali mind with a popular sweetmeat, ladykeni, named after her. There is a statue of Lord Canning nearby.
- 6 Mangal Pandey Park.
- 7 Mangal Pandey's hanging spot.
- 8 Netaji Open University. Originally a residence of Rastraguru Surendranath Banerjee, who used to live here for a considerable period of time.
- 9 St. Bartholomew's Cathedral. Built in 1831. One of the best in terms of architecture amongst the churches built during the British period.
- 10 Sukanta Sadan.
Buy
[edit]Eat and drink
[edit]The place surrounding Barrackpore Railway Station to Chiriamore is the hub of eateries.
- 1 Dada Boudi Biriyani, 1, Ghoshpara Rd (opp Barrackpore Rly Station), ☏ +91 98313 18010. a much hyped Biriyani joint costing ₹160-₹200 a plate (Chicken/Mutton), located just outside Sukanta Sadan. Try a special dish called "Liver Fry" from Dada-Boudi. Be prepared to wait in the queue.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Hotel Ubique, 89, SN Banerjee Road, Barrackpore (At the entrance to the Cantonment), ☏ +91 33 2592 1386.
- 2 Mangaldhara Tourism Property (Malancha Tourist Lodge), ☏ +91 9874026921, malanchatouristlodge@gmail.com. Run by West Bengal Tourism. It features a 24-hour generator facility, air-conditioned rooms with attached bathrooms, car parking, colour television, hot water, laundry, restaurant, room and Wi-Fi services.
- 3 Orchid Hotel and Restaurant, 123/1 Ghoshpara Road (Barrackpore Airport area), ☏ +91 33 3201 5515.
- 4 Susama Lodge, 54/36/C/1 N.N.Bagchi Road (Near Disha Eye Hospital), ☏ +91 33 25930948.