The Eden Gardens is famous all over the world for being the paradise of cricket where almost all the luminaries of cricket - past and present, have played. It boasts of its stupendous cricket stadium, one of the largest in the world, with a lush green sprawling ground which has been the mecca of cricket. Indeed, it is a quintessential one in this part of the world for promoting the gentleman’s game. In 1987, the Reliance World Cup Cricket Tournament was held at the Eden Gardens. Till 1987, the Eden Gardens was also used for holding football matches.
However, Eden is not all about ground, stadium and sports. It has more to it. The Eden Park deserves mention in this regard. It is situated just adjacent to the stadium and has a glorious past. It does not have the spick and span look of the amusement parks that are cropping up in the city of late. It is devoid of the least spurious touch and is not at all ‘decked up.’ On the contrary, this sprawling old park has a careless touch and is a very ‘natural’ element which makes it so different from the other parks. The cushy atmosphere all around is typified by the lush green of the enveloping trees, trimmed carpet of grass and a beautiful gardens exhibiting a riot of colourful flowers. Au reste, there is a fond and a historical pagoda which stands as a witness of the by gone days. The colourful and well designed Burmese Pagoda is a proud heritage of the city.
People who come here for chilling out are fascinated by its beauty and freshness. Even the habitués of the park are obsessed with this groovy pagoda - a structure of mystic beauty. In 1852, this pagoda was first established in Prome, a city in Burma by Ms. Mannikin, a Burmese lady. The chief architect of this splendiferous pagoda was Mong Hue. He was ably assisted in this task by ten skilled carpenters. The work was completed within three months. It cost Rs1500 in those days. Built of exquisite Burmese segoon, the pagoda housed an idol of Gandhasa, whose forehead was studded with several precious jewels. Such a pagoda is called Taza-Ung.
Lord Dalhousie, the then Governor General of India, went to Prome in 1853. He was so fascinated by the spectacle of the pagoda that he arranged for lifting it and brought it to Calcutta. Thus, the Burmise pagoda found its new place at the Eden Gardens in Calcutta. Some adept carpenters and architects were brought from Burma. Under the surveillance of Lt. Blair, these men worked round the clock tirelessly and ensconced the pagoda in its present place. The cost incurred was Rs.6000 which was a very large sum in those days. On the walls of the pagoda, it is inscribed that this brilliant architectural specimen was brought to Calcutta in August - September, 1954. It was safely ensconced in its present place in December, 1956.
Inside the Eden park, rows of benches are arranged in order. People flock here mainly in the afternoons and after the sun dips in the western horizon, to whisk some time in solitude and in tranquility. Perched on the wooden benches, the elderly couples can often be seen ruminating. Again, some men are found engaged in heated discussions about some burning political topic or familiar quotidian. Young and romantic couples come here in search of some rare moments of undiluted, pure pleasure in the bosom of nature. People are also found lolling on the carpet of lush green grass under the cool shadows of the enveloping trees. Some are also found relaxing by the side of the pond in front of the pagoda. Indeed, this is a wonderful place for heaving a sigh of relief in a dull and sultry afternoon and enjoying a tryst with nature.