Cellular Jail, Andaman Islands

Cellular Jail, also known as Kala Pani ki Sazaa, is one of the best attractions in Port Blair, Andaman Islands. During British rule, freedom fighters were sent to this jail who were meted out with severe tortures. The construction of the jail started in 1896 and completed in 1906 and it was named ‘Cellular’ as it was made up of individual cells for the purpose lonely imprisonment. The building originally puce-colored with the central tower being its main support. It was a huge structure that had honeycomb-like corridors. Though the building was initially 7-storyed but after damage, only three storyes remain. Turned into a National Memorial, it is now seen a sacred site dedicated to freedom fighters of the country.

In the premises of the jail, Swatantrya Jyoti, an eternal flame of freedom, keeps glowing in the memory of freedom fighters. A visit to Cellular Jail surely is going to bring back the memories of freedom struggle. The National Memorial is located in the entrance block and consists of the Freedom Fighters Photo and Exhibition Gallery in the ground floor. On the building’s first floor is a library on freedom movement, Netaji Gallery, and an art gallery. An Old Photographs Gallery and Gallery on the First War of Independence are the other attractions.

Where is the Cellular Jail located?

Cellular Jail is located 2 km from Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Timings of Cellular Jail

You can visit Cellular Jail Andaman Nicobar between 9 am to 5 pm, from Monday to Sunday.

• Cellular Jail Entry Fees
• Adults – ₹30
• Still Camera – ₹200
• Video Camera – ₹1000

Sound & Light Show at Cellular Jail

The tale of the brave freedom struggle of India is told in a heart-touching Son-et-Lumiere at the Cellular Jail, and is a prime attraction amid visiting tourists. Two Hindi shows are organized on a daily basis at 06:00 pm and 07:15 except on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday when English shows are held at 07:15

Best Time to Visit Cellular Jail

Even though the entire year is the best time to visit Andaman Nicobar Cellular Jail, but the winter season is perfect. The weather during winter is pleasant, allowing tourists to enjoy beach hopping and other water sports comfortably. Monsoon is also a good time for budget travelers. It is an off-season in Andaman, so tourists can get cheaper hotels and resorts with great discounts. Also, if you don’t mind sweating a little, you can plan a summer trip to the Andaman Islands and explore the Cellular Jail along with beaches.

How to Reach Cellular Jail

Cellular Jail is located in Port Blair, which has an international airport, also called Veer Savarkar International Airport. It is closer to the town center. From the airport, travel to the jail by car, scooter, tuk-tuk, or cab.

What is special about the architecture of Cellular Jail?

Britishers built Cellular Jail within a span of 10 years with the purpose of giving the cruelest punishments to prisoners till they hanged them to death. A local stone was mined by the prisoners to make the building. They also made 20,000 cubic feet of local stone and 30,00,000 bricks that was used to make the jail.

Cellular Jail’s architecture followed the Panopticon model, based on Greek mythology. The jail had a central pillar to which 7 wings were linked. Each of this wing had a three-storied building with nearly 693 cells (each was 3 meters in width and height) that housed only one inmate. The wings of the jail were designed so no inmate could talk to each other. The design required minimal guard movement who would watch the inmates from the central tower, which also had an alarm in case someone did try to escape.

The list of 10 freedom fighters in Cellular Jail who stood against the British for India’s independence were Batukeshwar Dutt, Veer Savarkar, Mahavir Singh, Mohit Moitra, Mohan Kishore, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Bhai Parmanand, Shadan Chandra Chatterjee, Nand Gopal, and Sohan Singh.

Why is Cellular Jail also called the Kalapani Jail?

Freedom fighters in mainland India called Cellular Jail as Kalapani Jail during the independence movement. Kala means death, which is also the inevitable end for freedom fighters who were in jail. Pani means water, referring to the jail’s isolated location. The waters of the Andaman Islands were feared by the prisoners, and the island was isolated from mainland India, meaning no escaping.

Cellular Jail Museum

One of the best tourist attractions in Port Blair, Cellular Jail also has a museum. The museum has National Memorial houses, a Freedom Fighter Photo and Exhibition Gallery, Art Gallery, and a Library on Freedom Movement. There is a gallery on the First War of Independence and an Old Photographs Gallery. The sound and light show at Cellular Jail is also held in museum premises.