The clock mechanism in the tower is a dual-dial system, with one side facing the river to assist boatmen and the other facing the courtyard.
The structure includes a replica of the tomb of Hazrat Ali at Najaf, Iraq.
The clock tower is flanked by two towers, each reaching approximately 150 feet in height.
The Imambara's founder, Hazi Mohammad Mohsin, was a prominent philanthropist whose estate funds continue to support the Hooghly Mohsin College.
The flooring of the main hall is made of black and white marble laid out in a chessboard pattern.
The complex contains a significant collection of silver-cased tazias and ornamental lanterns.
The massive brass clock bells are inscribed with the manufacturer's name, Black and Co., London, 1861.
Hooghly Imambara is a prominent 19th-century Shia Muslim congregation hall and mosque located on the banks of the Hooghly River in Chinsurah. The complex was commissioned by Hazi Mohammad Mohsin and completed in 1861 after two decades of construction. It is architecturally distinguished by its massive clock tower, which houses a large clock mechanism imported from Black and Co. of London. The main courtyard features a central water tank with a fountain. The interior walls are decorated with intricate calligraphy and verses from the Quran. The building is divided into two distinct sections, with a prayer hall on one side and a residence for the caretaker and scholars on the other. A flight of stairs leads to the roof, which provides views of the Hooghly River and the Jubilee Bridge.
The central courtyard facing the water tank with the mosque facade in the background.
Visit the clock tower level to inspect the internal iron gears and the massive pendulum.
Check the river-facing side of the complex for the best vantage point of the Hooghly Bridge.
Carry a pair of socks if you prefer not to walk barefoot on the hot marble floors.
Do not attempt to climb the tower stairs if you have mobility issues or are uncomfortable with narrow, steep spiral staircases.
Visitors must remove footwear before entering the prayer halls; modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is strictly required for all genders.
