Hooghly Imambara is a Shia Muslim congregation hall and mosque in Hooghly, West Bengal, India.[1][2][3] The construction of the building was started by Muhammad Mohsin in 1841 and completed in 1861.[4] The building is a two storied structure, with a tall clock tower over the entrance gate.[1] The mosque has intricate designs and texts from Quran engraved on the wall. The interior of the mosque is decorated with marbles, candles and hanging lanterns.
Clock
Vaunted clock of the Imambara tower
Hooghly Imambara is famous for its vaunted clock.[1] It is at the middle of the twin towers constructed on the doorway of the main entrance. Each tower, having a height of approximately 150 ft., takes 152 steps to reach its top. The clock has two dials with three bells having weight 80 mds, 40 mds and 30 mds. Smaller bells ring at an interval of 15 minutes and bigger bell rings to signify one hour. The clock requires two people to wind it for half an hour of each week, with a key weighing 20 kg. It was bought for Rs. 11,721 (in 1852) by Syed Keramat Ali from the manufacturer: M/s Black & Hurray Co., Big Ben, London.[5]
Location
It is in Hooghly District of West Bengal in India. People coming from Kolkata have to take a train (Local or Express) to Naihati Junction. From Naihati, they have to catch the Bandel Local train and they get off at Hooghly Ghat Station. From there, Imambara is in a walking distance. There are rickshaws and autos to ferry visitors to the Imambara from the station.
Or, the best way to come possibly is to go to Howrah Station and avail the straight trains (local EMUs) to Bandel, which are more frequent and less crowded. One needs to get down at Hooghly Station, and take autos/totos/rickshaws to the Imambara.
Gallery
Photograph of the Hughly Imambara from Calcutta, Past & Present by Kathleen Blechynden
The rear portion of Imambara of Hooghly
The sun dial of Hooghly's Imambara
Imambara courtyard
B&W Version
Inside the prayer hall of Imambara
Clock tower
Hooghly River view from clock tower of Imambara
An inside view
Courtyard
The wall inscription of Hooghly Imambara in West Bengal, writing about activities of its founder and philanthropist Muhammad Mohsin.
