Hooghly Imambara

A beautiful mosque-cum-imambara located in Hooghly, about 60 km from Kolkata, this place is apt if you are a lover of art and history. Imambara refers to a congregation hall that is generally built by the Shia sect of Muslims and used extensively during Muharram. Constructed over a period of 20 years (from 1841 to 1861) by Hazi Mohammad Mohsin, this imposing structure consists of a two-storeyed building with a central rectangular courtyard. There is a fairly large rectangular tank in the centre of the courtyard dotted with fountains that do not seem to function anymore.
The building itself is a magnificent creation with a grand entrance flanked on either side by towers that are around 80 feet tall. In between them is the signature clock tower that stands tall, reminiscent of the glorious days of the Muslim raj and the nawabs in Bengal. The architecture is elegant with intricate patterns on the walls and texts from the holy Quran engraved on them. The mosque has some splendid lanterns and chandeliers that add to the colonial charm of the place. Climbing the steps inside the tower takes you to the top, which offers panoramic and scenic views of the Hooghly river and the Jubilee Bridge. The site, however, is in need of some renovation and restoration with parts of the wall being damaged and in need of urgent repairs. The Hooghly Imambara is located in close proximity to the Hooghly Railway Station and is very close to the Bandel Church.