At the Kolkata end of the Howrah Bridge, descending on the right, or southern side, you’ll find yourself entering the vibrant chaos of the Mullick Ghat Flower Market. Winding through the intricate maze of the market, as you edge closer to the river, the first ghat you encounter, nestled right beside the bridge, is the Rai Bahadur Bissessurlal Hurgobind Sradh Ghat.
This ghat, established in 1916, was born out of a necessity for a clean and dignified place for the Hindu community to perform the last rites of their forefathers. During that time, no such facilities existed. When Rai Bahadur Bissessurlal Halwasiya, a revered community leader, heard the pleas of many, he took it upon himself to create the Raibahadur Bissessurlal Hurgobind Ghat. For over half a century, this ghat became the favored location for many Hindu families to bid farewell to their dearly departed.
When the ghat, located on the sacred banks of the Ganga, was ready to be dedicated to the community, a significant dilemma arose: Who should inaugurate it? Historically, Hindu places of worship and charitable projects were always inaugurated by prominent Hindu religious figures, even during the Mughal era. However, years of servitude had changed this tradition. Many now believed that a charitable project or religious place was not truly complete unless inaugurated by a non-Hindu ruler. It was in this context that Rai Bahadur Bissessurlal Halwasiya took a stand. He decided that this Shradh Ghat should be inaugurated by a respected Hindu religious figure. Consequently, the inauguration was performed by the then Shankaracharya of Kashi, Sri Anantacharya ji.
Nowadays, In front of the ghat, you’ll find a raised area with parallel bars once used as a wrestling ring by local “pehelwans.” Nearby, five banyan trees each house a small shrine at their base.
From the Bissessurlal Hurgobind Sradh Ghat, a narrow and slippery path leads down to the river. Following this path southward, you move further away from the Howrah Bridge.
