Cricket in full swing at Eden Gardens

Location: North West of Maidan
Special Attraction: The Pagoda.
Time Zone: The BCCI office opens at 1.00 pm. One can visit the ground with prior permission from the BCCI office.
Admission Fee: Nil
Hit the Spot: The nearest Metro Station is the Esplanade. One can also board any buses which goes to Akashbani Bhawan.
Photography charges: Photography is strictly prohibited except for press coverage.
Nearest Railway Station: Howrah
Nearest Metro Station: Esplanade
Nearest International Airport: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport
Parking: Hourly parking charges applicable.

In a city where cricket is religion, Eden Gardens is often considered to be the Mecca of cricket. Though many regard that its English counterpart, The Lords, as the rightful owner of this epithet, the Eden remains an enigmatic point for all cricket lovers. Eden Gardens boasts of one of the largest cricket stadiums in the world and possesses a lush green sprawling ground where the gentleman’s game is promoted in its quintessential frenzy. The greatest moment in this historic ground was in 1987 when it hosted the Finals of the Reliance World Cup Cricket Tournament. Interestingly, till 1987, it was host to football matches.

Eden Gardens is endowed with a tinge of careless beauty and an easy atmosphere all around typified by the lush green of the enveloping trees, trimmed carpet of grass and a beautiful garden exhibiting a riot of colourful flowers. It also hosts the historical Burmese Pagoda which stands as a witness of the by gone days.

The Pagoda (which was called Taza-Ung) was first established in Prome, a city in Burma by Ms. Mannikin, a Burmese lady, in 1852. Mong Hue was the chief architect of this mystic Pagoda and he was ably assisted in this task by ten skilled carpenters. The work was accomplished within three months at a cost of Rs 1,500.The Pagoda was made of fine Burmese segoon and housed an idol of Gandhasa, whose forehead was studded with several precious jewels.

When Lord Dalhousie, the then Governor General of India, went to Prome in 1853, he was so fascinated by the Pagoda that he arranged for lifting it and shipping it to Calcutta. Thus, the Burmese Pagoda found its new place at the Eden Gardens. Lord Dalhousie also arranged for some expert carpenters and architects from Burma to come and install the Pagoda. Under the surveillance of Lt. Blair, these men worked round the clock tirelessly and ensconced the Pagoda in its present place. The cost incurred during the entire process was Rs 6, 000, a very hefty sum in those days.

The Eden Gardens cricket stadium has witnessed some the greatest moments of cricketing history and has been graced by various luminaries and stalwarts of the game.