Barasat: -

Like every Sunday I and my friend Pramit went to Gandhi Ghat to sit and chat. but upon reaching there we saw that the Ghat was closed due to preparation for a special function on 31st January. we started discussing where to go for our evening chat when I suddenly remembered that a beautiful park near Barasat has recently opened. I asked him about the park and he said that he also heard about it from his juniors in college and they said that it was really beautiful. He said that if we go on his scooty it will take nearly half an hour to reach there. We agreed and before we know it we were in the Barrackpore- Barasat road headed towards Barasat. After half an hour of chilling ride on scooty, we finally reach there.

Siraj Uddyan( Hatipukur ): -



Siraj Uddyan, previously known as Hatipukur is located just beside Titumir bus terminus in Barasat. The name "Hatipukur" means pond of the elephants. Legend says that When Siraj-Ud-Daulla, the last independent Nawab of Bengal attacked Kolkata to eliminate British forces he went through here and rested here for some time. A pond was dug here to feed his elephants. From there the pond got its name Hatipukur. Recently the state government took initiative and build a park centring it. The whole park is now renamed as Siraj Uddyan. The park can be easily noticed because of its beautifully decorated gate. After entering you will see on the right side the statue of Nawab Siraj-Ud-Daulla's statue. Crossing it you will see a bridge connecting a small island on the pond. The bridge is inspired by the London Tower Bridge. A Pagoda is built on the island from where people can see a beautiful view of the park. 







































Leaving the bridge if you move forward you will see statues of Siraj and his forces headed for Kolkata. A canon is in front of them. The ticket counter and station for toy train are just beside the canon. The toy train will give you a complete ride of the park. There is also provision for boating. There are 3 family boats and 1 couple boat. 20-25 minutes is given for a boat ride. Also at 6p.m. and 7p.m., a special light and sound show is displayed describing the history of this place.

Hastings House: -

500 mitres from the Siraj Uddyan an archaeological site named Hastings House is situated in a Government office complex. A stone tablet was found in the house from where we know that in this house the Governor General of India Warren Hastings lived for a certain amount of time. This was used to be his country house. After that, it was used as the S.D.O office. The building was in ruins until recently when Archaeological Survey of India(ASI) decided to renovate and conserve it. The building now looks good but is labelled as a dangerous house due to its broken health. Both these places are historical jewels of Barasat.

How to reach: -

Both these places are near the bus terminus as well as Barasat station. Both are reachable by a few minutes walk.


The timing for Siraj Uddyan: - 8.a.m. to 8p.m.

  • Entry fees: - Rs. 15.
  • Boating: - Rs. 20
  • Toy Train: - Rs. 10.

The timing for Hastings House: - 9 a.m. to 5p.m. Open during office hours and office days.