If you are visiting the Andaman Islands for a holiday trip, the Cellular Jail, or Kala Pani, is worth a visit. This is one of the strongest reminders of the freedom fight in India. 

It is located quite in the middle of Port Blair; the jail, which once exiled the political prisoners, stands as a monument to the resilience and sacrifices of India's freedom fighters. 

Here are the details for touring the place, including cellular jail timings and major attractions.

Cellular Jail Timings and Practical Tips

When you step into a place soaked in history like the Cellular Jail, timing is everything. With that in mind, below is a detailed guide on visiting hours and key tips so that you do not miss anything in jail.

1. Visiting Hours

The Cellular Jail is open every day from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, and it reopens from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM.

Note carefully that on any given Monday and national holidays, the jail is closed. If you are an early bird or do not like a big crowd, then you should target the early mornings. 

Ticket sales come to an end at 3:15 PM, hence you are advised to reach the place much before that time, so you shall not feel you have wasted the trip.

2. Light and Sound Show

Do not miss the Light and Sound Show, an absolute highlight of this prison house. The Light and Sound Show will be available in two languages—one in Hindi daily from 6:00 PM and another in English from 7:15 PM. 

These are the cellular jail light and sound show timings. How nicely it has drawn the history of the jail and heroic tales of jailed freedom fighters.

You must reach there at least two hours before the start of the show. It allows you to wander around and soak up the atmosphere, enriched with history.

3. Additional Tips for Visitors

Before planning your visit you must be aware of a couple of things. We have covered most of the bases below.

- Entrance Fees:

The overall entry fee into the jail is very nominal, roughly INR 30. 

If you'd like to click a moment of your visit there, then on top of that is another camera charge: INR 25 for a photo camera and INR 100 for a video camera.

- Getting There: 

The Cellular Jail is barely 2 km from the city center and so, accessible comfortably by auto-rickshaws or by renting two or four-wheelers. 

If you are staying in a hotel in Port Blair, most probably they would help you with your transportation.

- Accessibility:

The prison has good accessibility, although one would need good walking shoes due to the considerable amount of walking involved. 

There is a lot of history in this place, so you would wish to spend time and check every item from the corners.

Attractions You Cannot Miss in the Cellular Jail

The historic depth and significance of the Cellular Jail remain the biggest attraction of the destination yet. 

There are some other things inside the premises which cannot afford to be missed. Every place has something different to offer, something different to tell about the lives of the prisoners and the struggle for independence.

1. Photo Gallery

The moment anyone steps into the Photo Gallery, one sees, in visual terms, the poignant journey of India's fight for freedom.

Photos available in the gallery virtually describe freedom fighters' sagas, as most of them were behind bars within these very walls. 

The photographs describe the very core of their bravery and the realities they faced. You will have such a spine-chilling experience, and you will almost be submerged in the past—when you could touch the spirit of the revolutionaries through their memories.

2. Exhibition Gallery Cellular Jail Museum

In the Exhibition Gallery, you are bound to experience a deep plunge into the history of the Cellular Jail. 

This is where artefacts and exhibits are found, which reveal how political prisoners were ill-treated. They include the personal belongings of the inmates, the letters they had written, and detailed accounts of their life in this prison. 

Of all the galleries, this one gives comprehensive insight into the hard life led by the prisoners as well as an indomitable spirit exhibited in the face of adversity.

3. Library

For those wishing for a deeper insight into history, a visit to the library at the Cellular Jail will suffice. 

It has a very rich collection of books and references, especially about the freedom movement in India. 

For lovers of history or the curious sort, the library extends serene working contours for more solitary contemplation and further interaction with texts on progressions during times that moulded such a significant part of the history of India.

A Peek into History: Veer Savarkar's Cell and Beyond

Of course, one of the most important cells was that of Veer Savarkar. But the legacy of this jail doesn't end here. 

Here are some more must-see attractions that add layers to your understanding of this historical site.

1. Veer Savarkar's Cell

One of the most prolific freedom fighters in India, Veer Savarkar served his life sentence in Cellular Jail, Andaman.

His cell is a cruel reminder of his massive contribution to the struggle for freedom. 

The nondescript, austere pigeonhole takes you back to the very harsh conditions he was subjected to at that time; at the same time, it speaks for his hardiness, unbroken spirit, and so many other things that go with his personality. 

If you stand inside this small, confined space you cannot but feel respect for the sacrifice he has made for the nation.

2. Swatantrya Jyoti 

The other major attraction within the Cellular Jail is the Swatantrya Jyoti or the Eternal Flame. 

The flame that burns incessantly is for cherishing the sacrifices of those innumerable freedom fighters who laid their lives for the cause of Mother India. 

It's such a melancholy yet inspiring sight—one that leaves an individual feeling thankful, and reverent. 

This is the flame that has been a beacon of hope and a reminder of the price paid so that we can enjoy freedom without being harangued by our oppressors.

Conclusion

Deep inside, as you walk past the corridors and cells, you just can't stop thinking about the kind of courage and determination each person must have had. 

The jail tributes to this bunch of spirited people and the endless struggle towards freedom. Besides being a place of historical interest, the Cellular Jail is also much more: a painful place that speaks about the immense sacrifice of lives to attain freedom from the British Raj. 

Its walls, reverberate with stories of courage and standing up against oppression. You should accordingly visit the Cellular Jail in Port Blair. 

Get to know the timings and major attractions, and you're set to have a very good and memorable experience at this iconic landmark.

FAQs About Visiting the Cellular Jail in Andaman

1. What are the visiting hours to the Cellular Jail, and on which days does it remain closed?

The Cellular Jail in Port Blair, Andaman, is open daily. There are two visiting time slots: one from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and another one from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Note that it remains closed on Mondays and national holidays. 

Early in the morning, you have a good chance of exploring this place even before crowds start building up. Moreover, ticket sales close at 3:15 p.m., so do arrive a little earlier than that.

2. What is the Light and Sound Show at Cellular Jail all about?

The Light and Sound Show will be a great extravaganza, and this is something you absolutely cannot miss. 

The languages in which this event goes on are Hindi at 6:00 PM and English at 7:15 PM. It's a very brilliant way to swim deep inside the prison's haunted past and the heroic stories of the inmates. 

Pro tip: Do come at least a couple of hours in advance to get that atmosphere and vibe of the place around before heading to the program. 

You'll indeed like it!

3. Any tips on what to see inside the Cellular Jail and how to get there?

Here are some insider tips: Cellular Jail is located 2 km from the city centre of Port Blair and can be easily reached by auto-rickshaw or rented vehicles. 

Once inside, go for the Photo Gallery, Exhibition Gallery, and the library; each of these provides a glimpse into the prisoners' lives and freedom struggle. 

Also, Veer Savarkar's cell and the Swatantrya Jyoti, or the eternal flame—a very powerful reminder of the sacrifices made. 

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