Clock Tower
Gorakhpur's Victorian Icon: The Clock Tower, locally known as Ghanta Ghar, is a historic landmark located in the heart of Gorakhpur's busiest market area. It was built during the British era and serves as a significant intersection point, marking the old city's commercial core. Though the clock itse lf may not always be perfectly functional, the tower remains a popular meeting point and a symbol of the city's pre-Independence history. It is perpetually surrounded by a dense, vibrant, and bustling market that bears its name, the Ghanta Ghar Market. The area is a vibrant blend of old-world charm and modern commercial activity.:
General information
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Ideal Duration:
30 Minutes (Viewing) to 2 Hours (Market Exploration)Place Type:
Historical Landmark, Commercial CenterEntry Fees:
General Viewing: Free. The tower is a public landmark in the middle of a square.
Market Access: Free. The market is a public space.
Photography: Free for personal photography. Commercial filming requires ...General Viewing: Free. The tower is a public landmark in the middle of a square.
Market Access: Free. The market is a public space.
Photography: Free for personal photography. Commercial filming requires permits from municipal authorities.
No Ticketed Entry: There are no tickets as the interior is not generally open to the public, and it functions primarily as a monument/landmark.
Parking: Standard street parking fees may apply in the designated zones near the market. :Timing:
Regular Timings: The landmark is visible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The surrounding market is typically open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Ideal Visit Time: Early Morning (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM) for a quiet view of the architecture, or Evening ...Regular Timings: The landmark is visible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The surrounding market is typically open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Ideal Visit Time: Early Morning (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM) for a quiet view of the architecture, or Evening (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM) to experience the market's vibrant peak activity.
Avoid: Visiting during peak traffic hours (usually 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM) if you dislike crowded spaces.
Market Day Off: Check if the market has a weekly closing day (Sunday or Monday) if your main goal is shopping. :Special Events:
Local Festivals' Market: During major Indian festivals like Diwali, Dussehra, and Eid, the entire market area around the Ghanta Ghar becomes highly decorated and much busier, with specific festival-related goods being sold.
New Year's Eve/Public...Local Festivals' Market: During major Indian festivals like Diwali, Dussehra, and Eid, the entire market area around the Ghanta Ghar becomes highly decorated and much busier, with specific festival-related goods being sold.
New Year's Eve/Public Celebrations: Occasionally, the central location makes it a site for impromptu public gatherings and minor local celebrations. :Best Photo Spots:
The Elevated Perspective: Find a nearby first-floor window or balcony (with permission) to capture the tower rising above the market chaos.
The Close-Up of the Clock Face: A shot focused solely on the clock dial and the architectural details...The Elevated Perspective: Find a nearby first-floor window or balcony (with permission) to capture the tower rising above the market chaos.
The Close-Up of the Clock Face: A shot focused solely on the clock dial and the architectural details just below it.
Wide Angle of the Market: Capture the tower towering over the entire busy market square, emphasizing the density and activity.
The Night Exposure: Use a long exposure shot at night to capture the illuminated tower with the light trails of the moving vehicles around it.
Detail of the Masonry: Close-ups of the tower's brickwork or stucco for an old-world texture. :Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Street Photography: Capture the contrast between the old tower and the chaotic, colorful life of the modern market surrounding it.
Shopping for Local Goods: Dive into the Ghanta Ghar Market for wholesale clothing, traditional jewelry, and local street finds (be prepared to bargain).
Try Street Food: Sample the local street food delicacies, particularly the chat and sweets available from the vendors in the area.
Observe City Life: Stand for a while and observe the vibrant, non-stop flow of traffic, shoppers, and local business activity, which represents the city's pulse.
Search for the Plaque: Try to find and read the original inscription plaque on the tower's base for a historical touch.
Combine with...Street Photography: Capture the contrast between the old tower and the chaotic, colorful life of the modern market surrounding it.
Shopping for Local Goods: Dive into the Ghanta Ghar Market for wholesale clothing, traditional jewelry, and local street finds (be prepared to bargain).
Try Street Food: Sample the local street food delicacies, particularly the chat and sweets available from the vendors in the area.
Observe City Life: Stand for a while and observe the vibrant, non-stop flow of traffic, shoppers, and local business activity, which represents the city's pulse.
Search for the Plaque: Try to find and read the original inscription plaque on the tower's base for a historical touch.
Combine with Gita Press:: The Gita Press is a short distance away, making it easy to visit both on the same trip.
Have a Photo with the Tower: Take a classic 'I was here' photo with the iconic Ghanta Ghar in the background. :
Information
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Why Famous:
City Center Identity: It is famous as the absolute geographical and commercial center of Gorakhpur, giving the entire locality its name.
Colonial Heritage: It represents a tangible piece of the city's colonial and pre-Independence history, s...City Center Identity: It is famous as the absolute geographical and commercial center of Gorakhpur, giving the entire locality its name.
Colonial Heritage: It represents a tangible piece of the city's colonial and pre-Independence history, serving as a reminder of the era.
Shopping Destination: The surrounding Ghanta Ghar Market is renowned for traditional goods, wholesale fabrics, and local items, making the tower an icon for shoppers.
Meeting Point: A primary and unmistakable landmark used by locals for decades as a common meeting and reference point. : -
Architecture:
Indo-Victorian Style: The tower is a classic example of Victorian architecture adapted with some Indian influence.
Dimension: Stands approximately 50-60 feet tall.
Structure and Material: Typically a square ...Indo-Victorian Style: The tower is a classic example of Victorian architecture adapted with some Indian influence.
Dimension: Stands approximately 50-60 feet tall.
Structure and Material: Typically a square or octagonal base rising into a multi-tiered tower structure, often constructed from local red brick or plastered masonry. The top tier houses the clock faces (usually four) on all sides. It often features small architectural details like decorative arches and cornices, typical of late 19th or early 20th Century colonial structures.
Market Integration: The architectural significance is in its standing as a focal point, with surrounding buildings organically evolving to frame it. : -
How To Reach:
By Air: Nearest is Gorakhpur Airport (GOP), about 10 KMS away. Take a prepaid taxi or cab to the market area.
By Train: Nearest is Gorakhpur Junction Railway Station (GKP), approx. 1. 5-2 KMS away. An auto-rickshaw or E-rickshaw is the fa...By Air: Nearest is Gorakhpur Airport (GOP), about 10 KMS away. Take a prepaid taxi or cab to the market area.
By Train: Nearest is Gorakhpur Junction Railway Station (GKP), approx. 1. 5-2 KMS away. An auto-rickshaw or E-rickshaw is the fastest way to reach, as it's a central and famous location.
By Road: Centrally located on the major roads connecting the city's old and new commercial areas. Easily reachable by all forms of road transport.
By Local Transport: E-rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, and cycle-rickshaws ply through this area constantly, making local travel very simple;
just state "Ghanta Ghar" or "Clock Tower": -
Weather and Best Time to Visit:
Different Types of Seasons: Winter (November to February) is the Best Season, making the market exploration comfortable. Monsoon can cause traffic issues and waterlogging in the crowded market.
Different Parts of the Day: Late Afternoon is ...Different Types of Seasons: Winter (November to February) is the Best Season, making the market exploration comfortable. Monsoon can cause traffic issues and waterlogging in the crowded market.
Different Parts of the Day: Late Afternoon is the Best Time to experience the market at its peak vibrancy. Late Night is quiet and good for a quick historical view of the monument.
Shopping Time: Weekdays are slightly less crowded than weekends for shopping. : -
Near Tourist Places:
Gita Press (1 KM), Golghar Market (2 KMS), Imambara (3 KMS), Indira Bal Vihar Park (2 KMS), Gorakhpur Railway Museum (3 KMS), Nehru Park (2 KMS), Gorakhnath Temple (5 KMS), Baudh Sangrahalay (6 KMS), Ramgarhtal Lake (7 KMS), Bank Road Market (1 KM)
Tourism Tips
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Health & Safety: Be extremely vigilant about pickpockets in the dense market crowd. Traffic around the tower is chaotic; cross roads carefully. Carry a small water bottle.
Packing: Do not wear expensive or flashy jewelry. Carry a cross-b...Health & Safety: Be extremely vigilant about pickpockets in the dense market crowd. Traffic around the tower is chaotic; cross roads carefully. Carry a small water bottle.
Packing: Do not wear expensive or flashy jewelry. Carry a cross-body bag for security. Comfortable walking shoes are a must for navigating the market lanes.
Accommodation: Hotels in the Golghar and Civil Lines areas are very close (1-3 KMS) and offer better comfort than the immediate market area.
Bargaining: Bargaining is essential when shopping in the Ghanta Ghar Market for the best deals. Confirm prices before buying anything. :
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