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West Bengal Rabindra Sarobar
This RabindraSarobar was previously famous as Dhakuria Lake which is an artificial lake situated in the south of Kolkata in West Bengal state of India. This lake is generally famous as the "Lungs of Calcutta". This name is also depends upon the surrounding areas of this lake. The name also refers to the area surrounding the lake. It is bordered by Southern Avenue in the Northern side, In the west side there is the Russa Road, on the eastern side there is Dhakuria and on the southern side there is the presence of railway tracks of suburban Kolkata.
History
In the years of 1920’s the CIT that is the Calcutta Improvement Authority that is the government body looking after the development of the metropolitan area of Kolkata took the possession of about 192 acres of the marshy jungles. The intension behind acquiring this land is to build the housed for the residential purpose by making roads, leveling the land and developing parks and the lakes in that area. The process of excavation was executed targeting the creation of huge lake. Finally in 1958 this lake that was originally famous as Dhakuria Lake was renamed by CIT for the tribute to famous Bengali writer named as Rabindranath Tagore.
Later on the total area that was excavated surrounding this lake was used for development of recreational complexes such as gardens, auditorium and parks for children.
At present the areas that are surrounding this lake are among the most recreational areas of Kolkata. Out of the total land about 73 acres of land is covered with water and the remaining area is being covered by the trees and shrubs that are about 100 yrs old. During the winter season some migratory birds can be seen around this lake, however the number of these birds is decreasing due to day by day increase in the level of pollution. A number of species of fishes are present in this lake as their habitat. The government has prohibited fishing strictly in this lake.
Attractions
Enormous number of general people comes here during the morning hours for taking the fresh air and the morning walk. Some of them view the sun rising scene so as to make prayer to Sun. While rest of the day time this area is being visited by the loving couples, joggers, tourists and the families arrived here for picnic.
A large number of swimming and the rowing clubs are present within the complex of RabindraSarovar. Rowing clubs are situated on the north side of this lake and the swimming clubs are on the south side. The CRC (Calcutta Rowing Club) was established in 1858 by the Britishers that is the oldest club of India for the promotion of the rowing activities in Kolkata. Later on this lake got affiliation from the prominent ARAE (Amateur Rowing Association of East) in 1901 and further a reciprocal arrangement was signed along with the Rowing Club of London in 1923. The Calcutta Rowing Club of Calcutta is being considered as the focal point of the rowing competitions in Kolkata since 150 years that has been engaged in organizing various competitions of both intra and inter-competitions type. There is the provision of the rowing facilities for the members on continuous bases with the timings from 6 am – 7.30 am and in next shift of 3:30 pm - 5 pm. Several other clubs that exist within the complex of Rabindra Sarovar are like the Bengal Rowing Club, The Rowing club of Calcutta University and Lake Club. Out of the above clubs one is the most reputed and the oldest one swimming club of Kolkata named as the Society of Indian Life Saving and previously it was famous with the name of Anderson Club having its office within the complex of this lake. The Ramakrishna mission of Golpark is on the walking distance from this lake. By the side of the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium there is a hall or an auditorium present within the premises of this Sarovar Complex. The name of this hall is the Pavilion Hall.
How to Reach
The distance of the Rabindra Sarovar from the nearest Dum Dum airport is about 30 km and about 12 km away from the railway station of Howrah. The Kolkata metros serve this area by the station of Rabindra Sarobar and the lake Gardens along with Tollygunge station belonging to the sub urban railway section of Kolkata. This is the point where the intersection of the two railway stations takes place.
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