Nicholson Cemetery, Kashmiri Gate, Delhi

Nicholson Cemetery

Kashmiri Gate, Delhi

Although Delhi has been know for its pre Mughal and Mughal architecture and it does have its share of colonial architecture. Lutyen’s Delhi, consisting of the India Gate, Rastrapati Bhavan, Secretariat and the Parliament House, consists of the hub of British colonial architecture in Delhi.

Scattered graves at the Nicholson Cemetery, Kashmir Gate, Delhi

Among the lesser known colonial monuments is the Mutiny Memorial on Delhi North Ridge (Kamala Nehru Ridge) stands out so does the St. James’ Church near Kashmir Gate. Also near the Kashmir Gate lies the Nicholson Cemetery providing an interesting glimpses of Delhi’s colonial past.

Restoration of Jewish Cemetery, Kolkata

Jewish Cemetery, Kolkata

Kolkata Jews retrace their ancestor’s graves

Also See: Kolkata (Calcutta ) Jews

Rosemary Cohen has come all the way from Australia, with a inverted family tree. A few of the branches of the family tree stressed back to five generation. She, accompanied by her husband, was looking for the graves of her ancestors in the newly renovated Jewish Cemetery of Kolkata.

Looking for their ancestor’s grave, Jewish Cemetery, Kolkata

As we made our way through the thickly packed maze of, freshly painted, white graves of the Jewish Cemetery, Rosemary narrated her fond memories of Kolkata, the city of her birth.

Qingming (Tomb Sweeping Day), Tangra, Kolkata

Qingming (Tomb Sweeping Day)

Tangra (New Chinatown), Kolkata

Also see: My blog post on Calcutta (Kolkata) Chinatown

Qingming or the Tomb Sweeping Day is held on the 15 th day after the spring equinox and normally falls on 5 or 6 April.

Qingming (Tomb Sweeping) at Choong Ye Thong Cemetery, Tangra (New Chinaatown), Kolkata

On this day the Chinese pay tribute to their ancestors by cleaning the tombs and offering elaborate food spread in front of the graves. It can be considered as the Chinese version of the  All Souls’ Day.

Maniktala Christian Cemetery, Kolkata

Family Graves of Toru and Aru Dutt

Overgrown with tall grasses & bushes, infested with dogs and a few unimpressive scattered graves is the best way of describing the Maniktala Christian Cemetery.

Maniktala Christian Cemetery, Maniktala, Kolkata (Calcutta)

The Cemetery itself is difficult to spot and even people living in the neighborhood are totally unaware of its existence.

Mirogoj Cemetery, Zagreb, Croatia

One of the finest Cemeteries of Europe

See also: FAM (Familiarization) tour of Croatia

Mirogoj Cemetery (Pronounced: Mih – rah – goy) is locted on the northern outskirts of Zagreb and on the foot of the Medvenica Mountains.

Church of Christ the King, Mirogoj Cemetery, Zagreb, Croatia

Often considered as Europe’s finest cemetery and is a virtual who’s – who of Croatioan history as it contains the graves of many rich and famous Croatian.

Jewish Cemetery, Kolkata (Calcutta)

Jewish Cemetery

Phoolbagan, Narkeldanga Main Road, Kolkata (Calcutta)

Also See: Kolkata (Calcutta ) Jews

“The synagogue’s members followed a custom ……… of depositing their writing in a special chamber in the synagogue so that they could be disposed of with special rites later. The chamber in which the documents were kept were known by the term ‘Geniza,’ a word that thought to have come into Hebrew from a Persian root, ganj, meaning ‘storehouse’ – a common element in place – names in India and Iran, …. like ‘Ballygunge’ and ‘Daltongunj.'”

Amitav Ghosh, In An Antique Land

The Geniza towers above the graves of Jewish Cemetery, Kolkata (Calcutta)

It may seem strange that common localities in Kolkata (Calcutta), like Ballygunge and Tollygunge, have derived their name from Geniza, the store house of abandoned Jewish religious text!!!!

Chinese Cemeteries of Tangra (New Chinatown), Calcutta (Kolkata)

Chinese Cemeteries of New Chinatown

Tangra, Kolkata (Calcutta)

Also see: My blog post on Calcutta (Kolkata) Chinatown

The Chinese settlement of Calcutta dates back to the late 18th century when a Chinese trader, Tong Achew settled near present day Budge Budge.

Map of Chinese Cemeteries, Tangra, New Chinatown, Kolkata (Source: Google Maps)

The, then Governor General of India, Warren Hastings, offered Achew land to set up a sugar mill complete with a sugar plantation. Achew soon brought a band of Chinese workers for his sugar project. But Achew died soon after and his mill was soon abandoned. The Chinese also deserted the place, which later came to be known as Achipur, after Achew.

Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival, Chinese All Souls’ Day

Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival

Chinese Equivalent of the All Souls’ Day

Also see: My blog post on Calcutta (Kolkata) Chinatown

The gates of Hell have opened and the ghost are out to dine on the exotic feast laid out in makeshift tables in front of their horse – shoe shaped graves. Its the the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival, the Chinese version of the all souls’ day.

Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival, Choong Ye Thong Cemetery, Tangra (New Chinatown), Calcutta (Kolkata)

According to ancient Chinese tradition the seventh month of the Chinese calender is known as the Ghost Month. The gates of Hell are said to be open through out the month. Ghosts and spirits are said to roam the earth looking out for food and entertainment.

North Park Street Cemetery, Calcutta (Kolkata)

~ The Lone Surviving Tomb ~

Robertson Monument, North Park Street Cemetery, Calcutta (Kolkata)

Tucked away in the South – Eastern corner of the the Assembly of God Church Tower (AG Tower) complex is a strange circular structure. Supported by six Ionic pillar and crowned with a dome. It is often used for drying clothes and even as a storage space.

The structure known as the Roberson Monument is the lone surviving grave of the demolished North Park Street Cemetery.

The Mallick Bazar entrance of the Mother Teresa Sarani (formally Park Street and even formally Burial Ground Street) once housed cemeteries on its both side.

Today the cemetery only on the southern side exists and is called the South Park Street Cemetery, but the cemeteries on the north side have been demolished decades ago to give room to the expanding city.

The North Park Street Cemetery gave room to the AG Towers while the Apeejay School was built over the French Cemetery.

Opened in 1797 the huge North Park Street Cemetery once housed the graves of several well known British citizens of Calcutta, including Richmond Thackeray, the farther of novelist William Makepeace Thackeray.

All Souls’ Day, Kolkata (Calcutta)

All Souls’ Day is a day when Christians remember their friends & relatives, who have passed away. This comes from an ancient belief that the souls of the dead will return, on this particular day, to have a meal with their family & friends. Candles are lit to guide the souls to their home for the meal.

Although different churches celebrate All Souls’ Day on different dates but it is predominantly celebrated on the 2nd of November. In Kolkata (Calcutta) the Christian community celebrates the day in the active cemeteries of the cities. The largest gathering happens in the Lower Circular Cemetery and the Bhawanipur Cemetery.