The Cellular Jail at the Andaman Islands is probably the most famous tourist attraction as it has held many of India’s fight for freedom struggles since the turn of the 20th century. And for anyone visiting Port Blair, this is the number one place to visit.

Undoubtedly, the Cellular Jail is also a great place to learn about Andaman’s historical journey to what it is today. And not only that, the attractions come in two different experiences, which will be explained below.

Cellular Jail at the Andaman Islands

Known as Kala Pani, the Cellular Jail is a historic prison in Port Blair (now known as Sri Vijaya Puram), which was built by the British colonial government between 1896 and 1906 to imprison political prisoners during India’s struggle for independence. The jail is infamous for its harsh conditions and its use in detaining freedom fighters.

The term “Kala Pani” (literally “black water”) refers to the dreaded punishment of exile to the Andaman Islands. This prison was seen as the ultimate punishment, as prisoners were cut off from the mainland and their families.

Architectural Design of the Cellular Jail

The prison’s design is unique, with seven wings from a central watchtower resembling a spider’s web. This layout was intended to isolate prisoners, escaping nearly impossible. But most of the structures were destroyed since the last earthquake in the 60s (if I’m not mistaken).

Today, only three wings remain, while a hospital was built on the other sections where the four different wings once stood. But inside the museum section, you can see a replica of the Cellular Jail with seven wings.

On a side note, this attraction is considered one of India’s dark tourism locations. Some travellers are very interested in this unique genre of tourism, which was started about ten years ago by two faculty members of the Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure Management at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Dark tourism involves visiting locations associated with death, tragedy, or historical events, such as battlefields or disaster sites. It raises ethical questions about the commercialization of human suffering and the motivations behind these visits.

Photos of Cellular Jail

I will share several photos of the Cellular Jail here for your viewing pleasure, as writing more about this will only steal the limelight of this interesting tourist attraction in Port Blair. Therefore, enjoy the photos, and when you visit Andaman, make sure this place is on top of your must-go list.

Famous Prisoners of Cellular Jail

Many prominent leaders of India’s independence movement were imprisoned here, including Veer Savarkar, Barindra Kumar Ghosh, and Batukeshwar Dutt. There is a lot more where you will find the entire name list in the museum section of the jail.

Freedom Movement Legacy

The Cellular Jail has become a symbol of the sacrifice and suffering of the Indian freedom fighters, which is now a National Memorial and a significant tourist attraction with a museum. At night, very special light-and-sound shows narrate the stories of those who suffered there. Anyone visiting Andaman Island should go and see this light and sound show.

Location of Cellular Jail in Port Blair

The prison is located on Cellular Jail Road, Port Blair, and is surrounded by the sea, which adds to its isolation and harshness. It takes about 20 minutes from the main airport to reach the prison, located in the Atlanta Point area of Sri Vijaya Puram.

Conclusion

For anyone planning to visit here, the Cellular Jail at the Andaman Islands is genuinely one of the must-visit tourist attractions. For English-speaking visitors, please note that the Cellular Jail Light and Sound Show is mainly conducted in Hindi, but a special English segment is also available.

There are three shows in the evenings once the sun goes down, and one is in English, so when you buy your ticket for the show, please inform them that you want the English show. In addition, AirAsia is the only international airline that flies directly to Port Blair from Kuala Lumpur, which started in mid-November 2024.