If you get fascinated by historical monuments and enjoy remnants of past, then here is our list of top attractions in Port Blair. We promise this will surely get you intrigued (all tested and loved). We traveled by autos for Port Blair’s Heritage Day 1 trail and were able to cover the whole trip in Rs 200.
Netaji Stadium
The Netaji Stadium also known as Netaji club was formed by the association of descendants of prisoners in Port Blair. The club was visited by Netaji in 1943, where he hoisted the Tricolor for the first time on free Indian soil. This was much before India attained Independence declaring the island as the free territory from British rule.
This photo has been taken from Ross View Hotel, where we were staying. A good place to stay for budget travelers with clean rooms, decent food and a great view. Above all very close to all main attractions and Aberdeen Bazaar.
Cellular Jail
The cellular jail is the epitome of the sacrifice that India made in its struggle for freedom. As you enter the gates, you would see the Peepal tree which is the narrator of the Light and Sound show. It has been a mute observer of the inhuman torture inflicted on the freedom fighters who were imprisoned here. With changing times, now it witnesses hundreds of tourists every day and children playing in the plush gardens.
I have visited cellular jail thrice now and every time I had goosebumps thinking about the prisoners and their pain. While I let out a silent prayer for their souls, I never could wish well for the ones who tortured them. In my last visit, I overheard a conversation between a retired army officer and his daughter and he said ‘The soldiers were just following their orders’. Yet another example of how perspectives differ in life and how the same thing can bring out different emotions in different people.
Veer Savarkar Park
A quiet little park opposite the cellular jail which commemorates Veer Savarkar and some other distinguished freedom fighters. A good place to rest in the day and evening after a tour inside the Cellular Jail.
The Police Temple, Masjid and Gurudwara
While I did not visit them due to limited time, locals vouch they are significant historically as religiously. The police mandir and masjid were established in 1878 for the regiment consisting of Indian soldiers. Police gurudwara was constructed later in 1937 and is the oldest gurudwara in Port Blair.
Chatham Saw Mill
A very interesting place though not visited by many. The Chatham Government Saw Mill was established in 1883 and is Asia’s largest and oldest sawmill. The Chatham Island which was connected to Port Blair by a timber bridge is now a concrete a 100-meter long bridge. This is a relatively offbeat gem but make sure you include it in your Port Blair’s heritage trail.
The Forest Department has a small museum where there are photos of historical events and also of some wooden artwork and furniture that the mill creates. There is also a small souvenir shop run by govt.
The sawmill is at the end and we had to ask to spot it. Inside the mill, the shop floor manager explained to us the complete process – timber being brought on boats, sorting, cutting and storing in warehouses as planks. It is just amazing that some of the old machinery from the bygone era still work. The manager also told us that the wooden walls of Buckingham palace are made from wood processed at Chatham mill.
Inside the compound towards the end, there is a Japanese bunker from WWII and a bomb pit from the British bombing in 1942.
Samudrika Marine Museum
Small museum with limited displays but well maintained by Navy. It can be a fun outing with kids and should not take more than 30 – 45 mins.
Anthropological Museum
The Anthropological Museum is one of the most educational stop in Port Blair’s heritage trail. It sheds light on the primordial eras of Jarawas, the Onges, the Sentinelese, the Shompens, the Nicobarese etc. There are model huts that show how they build their houses and their ornaments, tools, weapons, fishing and farming equipment are on display. Great place for kids to learn about the tribes, lifestyle, and culture.
Cellular Jail Light and Sound Show
There are two hour-long shows run daily at 6 pm (Language: Hindi) and 7:15 pm (Language: English on Monday, Wednesday & Friday otherwise Hindi) . The tickets can be either purchased at Tourist Information Centre in Cellular Jail, Airport or near Anthropological museum or can also be booked online here
Aberdeen Clock Tower
Also known as ghanta ghar, it is a war memorial to commemorate the “Glorious Dead” in the first World War. It is in the middle of the Aberdeen Bazar. So you would need to walk through the traffic to reach the monument. The clocks were manufactured by HMT and while one was broken, the remaining three clocks showed different timings as per different time zones. And with this last stop, we had our dinner in Gagan restaurant in Aberdeen bazaar and called it a night.
If you have some more time, you can try to squeeze in the Param Vir Chakra memorial at Marina park and Kalapaani museum.
Keep reading and discover more exciting experiences in Port Blair’s heritage trail.
