Botanical Garden

4.4

Location: Shibpur, Howrah, West Bengal 711103, India

Estimated visiting time: 2 hours

The Botanical Garden, also referred to as the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden is a sprawling garden spanning a total area of 273 acres, situated in Shibpur, Howrah, near Kolkata. The gardens were commonly known as the Company Garden at that time and were established in the year 1787. Today, in the entire country with undulating land topography and astonishing artificial lakes, the vibrant garden is considered to be one of the most stunning landscaped gardens. To visit this area and to spend some quiet and peaceful time in the lap of nature at the gardens, is a pure delight for nature lovers. To 12,000 living perennial plants as well as thousands of dried-out plants, the Botanical Garden boasts of being home, which has been collected from all across the globe. Here you will also get to see multicolored flowers and thousands of astounding orchids in the garden. The vast and widespread Banyan tree is the major attraction of the garden, which is popularly known as the Great Banyan Tree. For forming the second most extensive canopy, this enormous tree is reputed in the entire world.

Attraction

At the Botanical Gardens, you can find a total of 12,000 trees and shrubs which belong to 1,400 exotic species, along with a range of other herbaceous plants. In 25 divisions, glass houses, greenhouses, and conservatories, this entire flora is nurtured. Here you will also be introduced to rare species of trees that have been specially brought in from Malaysia, Java, Brazil, Nepal, Sumatra, and Sicily among other places. The garden also contains banyan trees, tamarind trees, mango trees, Cuban Palms, coconut trees from Sicily, the mad tree, orchids, mahogany trees, multi-hued bamboo trees, Bamboos, Citrus, Pandanus, Jasmine, Water Lilies, Ferns, branching palms trees from Brazil, various kinds of cacti, Bougainvillea, Creepers, Ficus, Hibiscus and a range of other aquatic, floricultural and arboriculture plants. Including the Bread Fruit Tree, some of the most exotic plants that can be found here are Giant Water Lilies, Double Coconut, Krishnabot, Giant Water lilies, and the Shivalinga tree. Where tourists can enjoy boating, the Botanical Gardens also has a serpentine lake. An extensive and impressive collection of books are also there in the library in the Botanical Garden.

History

Colonel Alexander Kyd found the Botanical Gardens in the year 1786 and was an army officer of the British East India Company. Identifying new plants of commercial value was the primary purpose of creating the garden, such as teak; as well as to grow species of plants exclusively for trade. After becoming the superintendent of the garden, Significant changes were introduced by the botanist William Roxburgh, and Sir George King initiated the design. The East India Company’s Garden or the ‘Company Bagan’was the renowned name of the lush garden. The garden was renamed the ‘Indian Botanic Garden’, after India gained independence, in the year 1950. On June 25 in 2009 in honor of the great scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose, it was later designated the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden.

Inside/Outside Views

The 250-year-old massive and colossal banyan tree, which is fondly known as the Great Banyan Tree is perhaps the most famous attraction that can be found in the Botanical Gardens. The tree does find mention in travel books that date back to around the 19th century, even though the exact time of the planting of this tree and its entire history is unknown. By two great cyclones that took place in 1864 and 1867, the majestic tree was damaged, and exposing it to the attacks of fungus, some of the branches of the tree broke down in this natural phenomenon. For having the largest spread in India, the tree is renowned, and at present the crown of the tree has a periphery of 450 meters. This marvelous creature of the plant kingdom also has a place in the Guinness Book of World Records having 2880 aerial roots that reach the ground.

Opening Hours

Every day from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Entry & Others Fees

Indian Nationals: INR 10
Foreigners: INR 100
Camera: INR 20

Near Restaurants

Near Hotels

How to Reach

By Air: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is the closest and most easily accessible airport.

By Train: Howrah junction is the closest railway station.

By Bus: To this area, all local buses ply.

Tips for Travellers

Be polite and don’t throw waste here and there. Make sure that your activities don’t disturb others present in the garden.
Make sure that you abide by the rules, as the botanical Garden is a no-plastic and no-smoking zone.
You are not allowed to carry food and drinks here, as there are foods available inside.
A guide is required if you wish to know the peculiarities of the plants as the garden is too huge to be covered on foot.