Ghost Walk of Esplanade and Dalhousie Square, Calcutta (Kolkata)
Ghost Walk
Esplanade and Dalhousie Square, Calcutta (Kolkata)
It was the sound of piano, isolated notes and then a complete string of music, then the loud dong of the St, John’s Church bell announcing 1:45 am, this was all part of the Ghost walk of Esplanade and Dalhousie area in Calcuta.
The idea of a ghost walk of Calcutta was conceived by my friend Anthony Khatchaturian, a Calcutta Armenian of the famous Galstaun lineage, along with Dr. Souvik Mukherjee of Presidency University. The route was soon chalked out and the Anthony did all the running and arranged for permissions and police escorts.
The D day (3 Oct 2015) finally arrived the participants meet at the main gate of Calcutta’s not so old New Market, half an hour before the mid night.
Registration was soon complete and participants hit the road in search of the illusive ghosts of the city.
We took the narrow lane next to the clock tower of New Market and headed northwards.
All though the market was shut but the passage was well illuminated and it was the last possible place to spot a ghost.
But New Market does have its share of ghost, with Stuart Hogg himself walking down the corridors. It also the home of two Anglo Indian lady ghosts, who walk through pelple strolling late in the night.
We moved further north and Statesman House was the next stop, where Souvik narrated the story of the ghost in the photo archive room.
Next we headed for the Dalhousie Square (BBD Bag) past the Great Eastern Hotel and the Raj Bhavan (Governor House).
The atmosphere was far from spooky as the roads were well lit. With a van load of cops from the Kolkata Police accompanying us there was nothing to be afraid.
Quiet likely the topic of discussion soon changed from ghosts to architecture and history of the surrounding buildings.
From the North Gate of Raj Bhavan, we made our way past the Red Cross Place and then to the Council House Street and past the St. John’s Church and finally made it to the Kolkata High Court.
Standing in front of the High Court Souvik narrated the story of a judge who spotted his wife, while working late into the night. But his wife was supposed to be in England at that time. Later a telegram reveled that the Judge’s wife died at that very time of her appearance.
Years, decades and even centuries have past but the lady keeps on reappearing. Sadly a crowd of 30 + ghost enthusiast accompanied by a van load of cops probably drove her away.
Next we headed for the Grastin Place with a brief stop at Hasting’s Residence on the Kiran Shankar Road.
Although there are no ghost associated with this residence of Warren Hastings, but his house in Alipore is often considered as the spookiest place in Calcutta. Souvik narrated the ghost stories of Hasting’s House Alipore.
Next we headed for the Grastin Place, which once housed the old radio station, where a musician committed suicide. But his piano can still be heard, provided the moon and the imagination is right.
We assembled at the back of the St. John’s Church with the grave of Job Charncok and Frances Johnson, visible beyond the gate. I narrated the amazing story of Frances Johnsons long life and her four marriage. Souvik told the story of Charncock sacrificing a cock over her wifes grave and the story of Dr Hamilton, who is buried in the same tomb of Charnock.
The Grastin Place area was relatively dark, as the street lights were few. Souvik soon focused on the story of the musicians ghost, but suddenly there was some sound, notes from pianos!!! was someone playing prank with the mobile.
The sound stopped but only to return after a few seconds but this time it was clear notes from pianos and soon a full string of music was played. It seemed to come from a far of place and the brave guys went out with torches to find the source.
There search was cut short by a loud sound which send shivers down the spine of all the ghost hunters!!! but this was no ghost but the clock of St. John’s Church announcing 1:45 am!! Sadly the sound of piano could no longer be heard and the ghost enthusiast came up with their own theory of the piano sound.
We were soon on the main thoroughfare and walked passed the General Post Office (GPO) and Writers’ Building. Anthony narrated his latest finding on the Calcutta Black Hole and his plan of bringing in ground penetrating radars to scan the ground for dead bodies of Calcutta Black Hole. This will determine the number of dead and solve the controversy once and for all.
Sadly the ghost hunters were still absorbed about the sound of piano and finding a logical conclusion about the sound of the piano was more important than unlocking the secrets of Calcutta Black Hole.
Finally we made our way past the Mission Church and finally back to New Market at about 3:30 am, thus ending what could be probably be described as the first ever Ghost Walk of Calcutta.
very nicely done. please post in advance about such walks. I would like to join.
Dear Agantuk, I will update about the next walk, do keep an watch on my FB page.
I want to going. U can arrange?
SANDIP
9830172055
how about doing one in north calcutta? shyambazar, putul bari, prinsep ghat, sovabazar ghat, kumortuli till the dawn breaks. also one in hastings house
Yes we haver plans for separate walks in north as well as south Kolkata.
A great experience it must be! Wish I were there…
Maniparana we missed you too, I will let you know about the next ghost walk
Sheer imagination!
Thanks, ghost are only visible to imaginative people!!!!
Great walk
Thanks Indrajit
Interesting. Have never heard of Ghost walks in Kolkata 😀
Thanks Ami, probably this is the first ever ghost walk in Kolkata.
Sounds wonderful! Sitting here in Bangalore, I feel like I have been taken to Kolkata. I hope you are doing well, sir!
Thanks Arpita, I am fine. Do keep in touch and keep blogging….
Sir, I really liked your article. I read about the Ghost Walk in the papers, and searched on the net about the tour. I found your blog and read it. I was always intrigued by haunted stories and haunted places and sometimes wondered why this kind of tour hasn’t been encouraged officially. Me and my parents would definitely like to join the tour. We would like to know about the next tour date and more information regarding it. It would be so kind of you to let me know the way to contact Mr. Khachaturian or somehow the way to get in touch of the tour. Thank you.
I want to join with your group..please add me on ghost walk
I am also interested to participate. Please help.
I am really interested for the Walk. I have been wanting to know about the Ghost Walks in Kolkata for quite some time (years) now. I saw certain people and their websites but those were mostly fake and i felt something was off about the “group”. But i have a gut feeling that you guys might be the real deal.
So….How can i get in touch with you?
Awesome project… the ghost walk
Next walk date time plz mail to us..we would like to join
do we have anything planned this week? I am only here this week to visit my parents and they mentioned this amazing walk….would love to be a part of it…..please tell me how I can be included?
When i’m seen this news at onno samay,thn i vry excited about this…so i would like to join…plz ami apnader group e join krte chi
Sir I have read your article in newspaper and searched about “ghost walk” on net and found it very interesting. I am always fond of ghost stories. I have heard of ghost places in Kolkata many times but I could not manage to go there.so I would like to join you on “ghost walk” with my friends.we would like to know about next tour,its possible date and more information regarding it. It will be more helpful if you let me know how we can contact Mr.Khachaturian. Thank you.
you can contact heer for Mr.Anthony’s ghost walk – http://goeventz.com/event/walking-with-ghosts-by-anthony-khatchaturian/8206
Hey
I heard about this walk and was intrigued. I would love to participate in this walk. could you please tell me how can one contact you regarding the details of the next earliest walk.
I am also interested about this walk and would like to participate. Please give me the contact details
How to participate in this walk? Whom to contact?
i want to participate.
i would like to participate such kind of ghost walk..please let me know before organising this walk.
I am interested in paranormal activity and i would like to participate such kind of ghost walk..please let me know before organising this walk. I will be waiting for ur reply. Thank u.
When the next walk is going to held we are 4-5 ppl who are interested in such walks and what will the booking charges & timing.
dada ami jete chai, ami join korte raji achi, ki korte hobe pls janale valo hoy, ami eata 24 ghonta news channel theke jenechi, my no 7686091850.
when is the next one?
Wow !! must be a lifetime experience !!! May I know when are you planning for the next ghost hunt? we have a group of people who will be interested in this type of activities 🙂
I want to join with you. How can I? Is there any website? Please provide.
Very nice and adventurous indeed
I want to join sir
Very much impressive blog keep the good work up. I found this very informative. It helps me a lot. Love to wait for your next post.
Thanks Simran
We want to participate in this Ghost Walk… Plz inform me about your next walk
lot of people will be help it’s real very nice