2 iconic ghats of Kolkata's Hooghly river to get revamp under beautification drive
Mayer Ghat, located in North Kolkata's Bagbazar, is closely associated with Ma Sarada, the spiritual consort of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. She is known to have used this ghat during her stay in the area. The restoration aims to maintain its spiritual essence while making it more accessible to devotees and visitors.SURNIAM GHATSuriname Ghat holds a special place in migration history. It was from here that the sail ship Lalla departed on February 26, 1873, carrying 410 indentured labourers and their families to the Dutch colony of Suriname. Over the next 43 years, 34,304 Indians made the same journey on 63 ships until 1916.Today, over 175,000 people of Indian origin — more than a third of Suriname's population — trace their roots to these migrants. The ghat houses the Mai Baap Memorial and a sculpture of a man and woman with traditional potlis, commemorating the migrants' journey.At the time of departure, men were allowed just two dhotis and two kurtas, women two saris, and many carried sacred texts like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.Despite hardships, their descendants have excelled in fields ranging from politics to the arts.'SAFEGUARDING OUR HERITAGE'Speaking on the initiative, Commodore PR Hari said, "This project not only safeguards our heritage but also creates spaces where people can reconnect with chapters of India's past that shaped modern diasporic identities".The restoration is expected to draw tourists, historians, and cultural enthusiasts, strengthening Kolkata's reputation as a city deeply rooted in history.Once completed, the beautified Mayer Ghat and Suriname Ghat will serve as living reminders of Kolkata's spiritual and migration heritage, offering both locals and visitors a chance to engage with the city's layered past.- Ends
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