Eden Gardens
The Eden Gardens is the largest cricket stadium in India and third-largest in the world in terms of seating capacity. It is widely acknowledged to be one of the most iconic cricket stadiums in the world. It has been called “cricket’s answer to the Coliseum. It has a reputation of staging the most passionate and vocal crowd and has almost become like a place of pilgrimage for most international cricketers. It played host to the iconic India-Australia Test series in 2001 wherein VVS Laxman scored a glorious 281 which remains the highest score at the ground. The pitch at Eden Gardens has traditionally been on the slower side and good for batting, assisting spin bowlers very early.
Location of Eden Gardens Stadium, Kolkata
The Eden Gardens and the stadium adjacent to it is the largest cricket ground in Kolkata and is the largest stadium in Asia. It is situated in the heart of Kolkata near Maidan.
History of Eden Gardens Stadium, Kolkata
The name ‘Eden Gardens’ has been kept by its makers inspired from ‘The Bible’. In the chapter of Genesis from Bible, ‘God’s Garden’ was named ‘Eden’ which He made for his mortal children Adam and Eve. The garden was paradise on earth. Inspired by this biblical concept, the Eden Gardens was named after Emily and Fanny Eden, sisters of the erstwhile Governor-General, Lord Auckland in 1864.
The Eden Gardens complex sprawls over a lush green land of 50 acres including the cricket stadium, indoor stadium and many gardens, lakes and a Pagoda. The Burmese Pagoda, adjacent to the lake which was brought to Kolkata from Burma after the British victory in the Burmese war of 1884. This Burmese Pagoda has an interesting history – It as built in 1852 in Prome (presently in Bago, Myanmar) by Ma Kin, wife of Moung Honon (Governor of Prome). Within the Pagoda there was an image of Gautama Buddha with its forehead set with precious stones. This Pagoda belongs to the class of buildings called Tazoungs or Thein Tazoungs, used by Buddhist Priests for worship.
The gardens are along the banks of the nearby Hoogly River (Ganges). Short cruises by boats and steamers are available down the Hoogly River with the Vidyasagar Setu etched in the background. The Netaji Indoor Stadium, the huge indoor stadium of Kolkata is also a part of the Eden Gardens complex. Entry to the garden is free but entry to the stadium is only permitted during matches and restricted by tickets. Presently, the Eden Gardens Stadium is a popular venue not only for sports, but also for concerts and exhibitions.
Monuments in Kolkata
Kolkata, famously known as the ‘City of Joy’, is not just another metro city, but has an important place in the history of India. It was the first capital of the British rulers when they had just started building their system of administration to empower their position in the country. The city has gone through multiple transformations industrially and culturally since its formation. In Kolkata you will find multiple places to tell the story of the British age. Here we discuss five historic places and monuments in Kolkata. Kolkata, which is often called the city of joy is one great destination which is rich in many monuments which reflects the beauty of the glorious past. The city was even a charm during the British rule and it is still a charm. The various monuments available in Kolkata reflect the stories about the city. The beauty of these monuments is unmatched or is rather growing with time. The best monuments in Kolkata is listed here for those who want to check them out when traveling here.
