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India Today
6 days ago
- General
- India Today
2 iconic ghats of Kolkata's Hooghly river to get revamp under beautification drive
Kolkata's historic connection with the Hooghly River will soon get a fresh lease of life as two iconic ghats — Mayer Ghat in Bagbazar and Suriname Ghat in Garden Reach — are set for a makeover under a beautification initiative has been launched by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, in collaboration with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK).advertisementA contract for the project was signed on August 6, 2025, by GRSE and GHAT'S SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE 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 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 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' 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 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 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 IN THIS STORY#Kolkata
News18
06-08-2025
- General
- News18
GRSE to beautify two ghats along Hooghly river under MoU with Kolkata Port
Last Updated: Kolkata, Aug 6 (PTI) State-owned warship builder Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) will beautify two ghats along the Hooghly river under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) on Wednesday. The two are Suriname Ghat in south Kolkata's Garden Reach area and Mayer Ghat in the northern part of the city's Bagbazar localities, according to a statement. The initiative is part of SMPK's drive to restore the city's iconic riverfront infrastructure and highlight its historical legacy. Suriname Ghat holds major historical significance as the departure point for over 34,000 indentured labourers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh who were shipped to Suriname between 1873 and 1916. The first such vessel, 'Lalla Rookh', left from the ghat in 1873 with 410 passengers. These labourers played a crucial role in shaping Surinamese society despite facing difficult conditions, and the ghat remains a symbol of that migration era. Mayer Ghat has spiritual importance, being associated with Ma Sarada, the consort of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa. She is known to have used this ghat during her visits to 'Udbodhan', the residence and publication house of the Ramakrishna Mission. The site is closely tied to Kolkata's religious and cultural heritage. PTI BSM NN view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 18:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
