Princep Ghat, Kolkata - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 9 km from Kolkata Railway Station, Princep Ghat is one of the oldest recreational spots located on the bank of Hoogly River in Kolkata. Situated between the Water Gate and the St George's Gate of the Fort William, it is one of the oldest recreational spots of Kolkata and among the popular places to visit in Kolkata.

Princep Ghat was built in 1841 in the memory of eminent Anglo-Indian scholar and antiquary James Princep. Designed by W. Fitzgerald, it is a majestic structure famous for its Greek and Gothic style of architecture. The memorial is set in a square with Ionian Columns holding up a 40-foot roof painted entirely in white. The monument was restored by the state's public works department in 2001 and beautified a 2 km stretch of the riverfront from Princep Memorial to Baje Kadamtala Ghat with gardens, lawns, park benches, and shady trees.

After the recent beautification, it has become a very peaceful retreat for nature lovers. With the magnificent Howrah Bridge in the background, watching the sunrise or sunset and taking a long walk in the cool air on the banks of the river are some of the popular activities here. Besides, boating is a favorite recreational activity at the Prinsep Ghat. These river cruises last for a few minutes to an hour, and tourists can choose from traditional wooden boats and speedboats. Early mornings and evenings are highly recommended for boating in the serene river. There are a number of street stalls in the area, from where one can get light snacks like pav-bhaji and paani-poori.

Timings: 6 AM - 7 PM