Phool Bagh, in the industrial city of Kanpur, is a park with deep rooted historical importance. Now known as Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Udyan, it was once called the Queen Victoria Garden when Queen Victoria ruled Britain. The park lies in the heart of Kanpur city and is located close to the banks of River Ganges. It is also close to the Kanpur Central railway station and Nana Rao Park. This park has been renovated and is now a lush green area with breathtaking landscapes. The park has borne witness to many political rallies and meetings in the past but is now no longer used for that purpose. In 2017, a glorious 150 meters high Indian flag was hoisted here, adding grandeur to this place.
History of Phool Bagh and K.E.M
K.E.M is a museum hall situated at the Phool Bagh. The then Prince of Wales, King Edward was the first royal to visit India. On his death, a memorial hall was built to celebrate his visit and was called King Edward Memorial hall or K.E.M. The intention was to use this hall as a western-style dancing hall, but after World War I in 1914, it was turned into a convalescent home for wounded soldiers. Later it was used for cultural activities and marriage ceremonies of rich Indian merchants. The hall has been renamed Gandhi Bhawan after independence and houses a multitude of artefacts which tell you the history of Kanpur and its development.
Other places of interest in Kanpur
Since Phool Bagh is in central Kanpur, staying here gives you easy access to many other parts of the city which are of interest to tourists. This park is very close to the Nana Rao Park which is known for its magnificent architecture and historical value. You can also visit the Kanpur zoological park with kids and family. This zoological park has been awarded the ‘Environment Management System Standard’. The J.K temple in Kanpur is an amalgam of ancient and modern architecture, and is also known as Radha-Krishna temple.
Shopping and dining in Kanpur
Kanpur is also famous for its leather and textile industry and one should visit the Navneet market to buy leather, clothing, perfumes and jewellery. Kanpur street food is something you don’t want to miss out on as it is pocket-friendly and delicious. The chats and biryanis are favourites among locals as well as visitors. Mall road, Birhana Road, and Chaman Ganji are some of the places where you get some of the best chow in Kanpur.
OYO Hotels quality near Phool bagh
Rated high on comfort and low on price, the OYO hotels near Phool Bagh are the perfect place to stay. You can access the whole city easily if you stay in these centrally located hotels. You get rooms at affordable rates with all the facilities you need like AC, TV, free WiFi, hot water and prompt room service all through the day. Some of the hotels also provide a mini-fridge inside the room.
If you are coming with family, you can stay in deluxe rooms which are larger than the regular room and also come with a seating area where you can enjoy high tea. Many of the OYO hotels also include complimentary breakfast as part of the deal. All these factors and a lot more, awaits you at OYO hotels. Book one now for your next trip to Kanpur already!