South Park Street Cemetery — Attraction in Kolkata

A rainy‑day stroll through South Park Street Cemetery in Kolkata is a journey into history enveloped in mist, moss, and muted reflection.

Prelude: Opening the Gates in the Rain

Grey skies hung low as raindrops began their gentle percussion on the driveway of Mother Teresa Sarani (formerly Park Street). The cemetery gates creaked open to reveal an eight‑acre expanse once known as the Great Christian Burial Ground, founded in 1767—among the earliest non‑church burial grounds in the world . Rain-soaked pathways, flanked by a high brick wall and overgrown foliage, welcome a quiet introspection that the bright sun could never evoke.

A Murmur of Leaves and Stone

The rain brought out the cemetery’s lush vegetation—moss, ferns, and damp ivy clung to sandstone and marble tombs, turning them into living, breathing memorials of the past. The Gothic arches, domes and obelisks looked softer, almost whispering stories from the colonial era beneath the pattering water.

Architectural Encounters in the Rain

Rain enhances the cemetery’s eclectic architectural language: Gothic tombs, with ribbed arches and Corinthian pillars.

Indo‑Saracenic chapels, complete with domes and ‘panchayatana’ mini‑temples reminiscent of Orissan deul forms.

Cairns and carved urns protrude from damp fallen leaves. One remarkable tomb—that of Charles “Hindoo” Stuart—stands in temple form, its red bricks glistening under droplets, honoring his embrace of Indian traditions .

Notable Graves Under Grey Skies

In the veil of drizzle, the tomb of Sir William Jones, founder of the Asiatic Society, stands luminous—its clean marble contrasting with the mossy gloom around . Nearby, the grave of young poet Henry Louis Vivian Derozio evokes solemn poetry: “My native land hath heavenliest bowers…” etched into rain-darkened stone as though humming. Visitors say lines like this echo best under such skies .

Atmosphere: Haunting, Yet Serene

The steady rain intensifies the place’s melancholic beauty. Whispering leaves and distant crow calls amplify a sense of solitude and mourning. While urban legends of dizziness or “bleeding tombs” swirl, in reality, the calm hush offers a meditative peace—haunting in presence, but devoid of overt dread .

Restoration: Tender Care Amid the Downpour

Sheltered tomb pavilions and flagged corridors give way to restoration efforts. Thanks to conservation groups like The Calcutta Restorers and the Christian Burial Board, over 750 tombs have been cleaned and polished—each requiring hours of delicate care, even during monsoon-tinged days .

Practical Notes for the Rainy Visit

Timing & Fees: Open daily 10 AM–5 PM; entry ₹20 for Indian nationals, ₹50 for foreign visitors; photography fees may apply .

What to Carry: An umbrella or raincoat, mosquito repellent, and comfortable, waterproof shoes.

Etiquette: The site commands respect—keep voices low, and avoid trampling foliage or memorial inscriptions.

Guided Insight: A guide enriches the walk, illuminating the stories behind the inscriptions and architecture.

Final Walk-Out: Rain Reflected in History

Leaving the cemetery under fading raindrops, the vivid contrast between lush greenery and weathered stone stays with you. The rain doesn’t wash away the past—it brings it alive. South Park Street Cemetery’s tombs and trees, tranquil yet eloquent, reveal centuries of layered memories, colonial heritage, and stories still being restored—and remembered.

In Kolkata’s monsoon heartbeat, this rain-kissed necropolis is neither somber nor macabre—it becomes a living elegy to the city’s past, whispered through raindrops and...

Top tips for visiting South Park Street Cemetery

Flooding – While we were here just after the monsoon in October a lot of the cemetery was flooded. So, some you can’t access. Although the park seems to be well maintained there are cracks and uneven floors. So, watch your step! Also, the grassy areas have hidden potholes.

Moss – There are flat walking routes to explore the graveyard and most of the tombs are numbered. Some of the the floor had a lot of moss growing on it. So, if it is monsoon season some areas be flooded and super slippy. South Park Street Cemetery Moss There’s lots of moss and overgrow in the park

Dogs – There were a lot of dogs that use this as their home. Some will be sleeping in the tombs. Just be careful not to annoy them! One starting chasing us and I freaked out. Photos – Photography is allowed here but remember to be respectful of the dead. This is not the place for a wedding photo shoot, selfie or your next Instagram post. Couples – sorry to be ‘that’ person, but this isn’t a place to come and make out guys! I saw a couple here doing it here and was pretty grossed out. It’s a cemetery. I could think of far more romantic places for a date…

South Park Street Cemetery I loved these old signs. They look like they’ve been here since the 19th century lol! Don’t forget to support the graveyard

The graveyard is an archaeological site but it relies on work from volunteers, tour guides, and donations to keep running.

So, when you’re here, make sure you sign their guidebook, buy a book, or even just a small bottle of water (20 rupees) that they have for sale.

Any support you can give would be a big help and make sure the place keeps running for all.

Is South Park Street Cemetery Kolkata haunted? It’s really a lovely peaceful place

Where is South Park Street Cemetery located in Kolkata?

The graveyard can be found on Park Street in Kolkata near Mother Teresa Sani.

You will have to be on the lookout, but when you turn down Park Street you’ll see the pink entrance gate quite easily.

We decided to walk over here from the main shopping area of Park Street as we were nearby. But, it’s easy to access all over the city using taxis and public transport.

How to reach South Park Street Cemetery

By Metro

The underground subway system in Kolkata is really cheap and efficient. The nearest stop is Maidan and it’s a 20-minute walk from there.

The trams are more convenient (more below). You pay by the kilometre and it starts at 10 rupees for 10 kilometres. Anything over 25 kilometres is 25 rupees and that’s the max.

You simply buy a token to ride and then look out for your stop. It’s really hot inside as there is no air conditioning.

Kolkata Metro The metro is hot and hectic but cheap and efficient By Tram

The nearest Tram stop for this would be Mullick Bazaar. From here it’s just a few minute’s walk.

You’ll be dropped off at the Lower Circle cemetery, which replaced the one on Park Street!

Opening times and ticket prices for South Park Street Cemetery The cemetery is open daily from 10 am – 5 pm.

Beyond that time it is locked, so you can’t visit at night time, unfortunately, to look out for ghosts.

Although we did see in guidebooks it used to be free of charge, they do charge for entry now.

South Park Street Cemetery ticket prices are 20 rupees per Indian and 50 rupees for a foreigner.

If you wanted to provide a bigger donation, you can purchase one of their awesome guidebooks for only 100 rupees. I bought one as a souvenir and it had lots of lovely...

SOUTH PARK STREET CEMETERY

The South Park Street Cemetery, also known as the Great Cemetery, was opened on August 25, 1767. Then a marshy and forested terrain, the ground was approached by a bund called the Burial Ground Road. The first person to be buried here was John Wood, a writer in the Customs House.

Burials took place after dark with lanterns, except military funerals that were accompanied by rolling guns. The cemetery hosts some colossal pyramids, catafalques, pavilions and obelisks in what is one of the finest repositories of neo-classical fune- rary sculpture outside Europe.

Famous people lie buried here: Eurasian poet, teacher and reformer, Henry Louis Vivian Derozio, who died in 1831 at the age of 22. He taught at the Hindu College (now Presidency College); Sir William Jones, judge. Indologist and a major figure in the establishment of the Asiatic Society, whose monument stands the tallest here, Rose Aylmer, niece of Lady Russell, dead within a year of arrival at the tender age of 17, who continued to inspire her friend the poet William Savage Landor. His famous Ode to Rose was inscribed on her tomb, the Spiral Monument, in 1910. Also buried here are Major General John Garstin, architect of Calcutta's Town Hall and the Patna Gola: Major General Charles (Hindoo) Stuart, a devout Hindu, who bathed in the Hooghly every morning, worshipped deities and even took Hindu images to England when he went on leave- the Hindu images on his grave stand testimony to his faith: Lt. Col. Robert Kyd, distinguished botanist and founder of the East India Company's Botanical Gardens; Elizabeth Barwell, who enchanted many a Company man with her ravishing looks; George Bogel, the first British envoy to Tibet and author of the famous manuscripts in the British Museum. Other famous Calcutta personalities whose souls rest in peace here are the Impeys and the Princeps: Henry Vansittart and his wife, who was a descendent of Oliver Cromwell, are also interred here.

The graves tell a story of the many people and their occupations-breeder of cattle. shipwright, jail-keeper, silversmith, school teacher, architect, translator, livery stable-keeper, printer, head tide-waiter, steward to the Governors-General, park superintendent, cooper, postmaster, surgeon, not forgetting the undertaker- who in their lifetime made British Calcutta the first city of the Raj.

The last tombs were erected around 1830.

Declared Heritage Site u/s 425B of The K.M.C. Act, 1980

VISITING HOURS:- 10 a.m. to 5p.m. No tickets will be issued after 4:30p.m.

Ticket Price - ₹25/- (without Camera) ₹50/-...