top of page
Search

A History of Kasturchand Park, Nagpur

Heritage bandstand at Kasturchand Park in Nagpur
The ornate bandstand pavilion at Kasturchand Park in Nagpur. This heritage structure was funded by Sir Kasturchand Daga in the early 1900s

Kasturchand Park is a historic public ground in Nagpur, Maharashtra’s central city in the Vidarbha region. Spread over roughly 21 acres near the city’s zero-mile marker and railway station, it has long been the site of major gatherings and festivals.


Named after philanthropist Sir Kasturchand Daga, the park’s vast expanse and distinctive heritage structures make it a well-known local landmark.


Today, it remains a focal point for political rallies, cultural fairs and religious celebrations, even as authorities work to restore its colonial-era pavilion and

bandstand.


In this Article:



Historic Background and Legal Interventions


Kasturchand Park dates back to Nagpur’s British era. In 1817, the site witnessed part of the Battle of Sitabuldi between the Maratha rulers and British forces. Under colonial rule, the land was used as an arsenal ground by the East India Company’s army, even storing gunpowder and armaments into the late 19th century. By 1880, following Nagpur’s incorporation into the British Central Provinces, the military cantonment was converted to municipal use.


The park was later named after Sir Kasturchand Daga (1855–1917), a prominent Nagpur industrialist and philanthropist. Daga donated the land and money for its development as a city exhibition ground. Notably, on 12 November 1908, he deposited ₹25,000 for a major industrial exhibition in the park. In recognition of his contributions, the former cantonment ground took on the name Kasturchand Park.

Today, it is officially a Grade-I heritage open space. Government records describe it as “one of the biggest meeting places in Nagpur” and note that it has hosted trade shows, fairs and year-round activities for over a century.

The park’s historic bandstand, the ornate gazebo-like pavilion at its centre, was also built under Daga’s patronage. As the park’s Wikimedia Commons summary explains, the “Band Stand in the centre was constructed… by … Seth Kasturchand Daga” at the request of the British authorities.


This limestone pavilion exemplifies early 20th-century Nagpur architecture. It and other structures on the ground now bear testimony to the park’s origins in the colonial period and its naming after Sir Kasturchand Daga.


Heritage Structures


The park’s open field is punctuated by historic structures that reflect its heritage value. The central white sandstone pavilion (or bandstand) is the most prominent. This octagonal tower with arches and domed turrets was built around 1908 under Daga’s patronage.


It is a local landmark, a common meeting point, and it is now listed for heritage conservation. Nearby stands an old circular fountain (now mostly dry), and the park once had ornate railings and gazebos.

In recent times, six colonial-era cannons, cast with the British crown insignia, were displayed around the bandstand, a practice dating back decades. In late 2019, construction work uncovered six more buried cannons of British manufacture, confirming the area’s former use as an armoury ground. Local historians note that a total of eight to nine cannons might have been originally installed, and some activists have urged that the unearthed relics be conserved and displayed as part of the park’s story.


Architecturally, the bandstand’s design is significant. It features intricate carvings and cupolas influenced by the Indo-Saracenic style. UNESCO-style heritage surveys have commented that the structure was “plagued by water seepage and blackening of the columns” from years of neglect. The bandstand’s original colour of pale limestone has, in places, been obscured by paint and grime.


At night, it can be beautifully illuminated, but by day, tourists and locals alike remark on its faded condition. Surrounding the bandstand, the park’s grounds form a flat triangular plaza framed by trees. Visitors can still see where old pathways radiated from the centre and where a boundary wall (built in 1910) once enclosed the ground.


Historical accounts confirm that in 1910 the municipal administration first erected walls around the park, and that further refurbishment took place during Nagpur’s tricentennial celebrations in 2002.


Despite the park’s size, everyday use can make it feel more utilitarian than garden-like. Many residents note that large parts of the field double as parking spaces during events. One recent visitor review observes, “This is a ground even though called a park… it was being used as a parking lot” on holiday dates.


Indeed, infrastructure around the park, such as the metro station and roads at its edges, reflects its urban context.


Yet overall, the heritage structures give it a distinctive character. The bandstand and its allied monuments embody the park’s story from colonial exhibition venue to modern public square.

 


Restoration Efforts of the Kasturchand Park


The physical condition of the heritage pavilion and the grounds became a matter of legal concern in the last decade.


The Bombay High Court took notice of the systematic neglect and the misuse of the Grade-I heritage site. Reports in local media highlighted how the ground was being exploited for commercial profit while the historic structures were gathering dust and crumbling. In 2017, the court issued a ban on all private exhibitions at the park and ordered the permanent removal of encroachments.

The court stated that the ground should primarily be used for sports and national celebrations like Republic Day and Independence Day.   


A major restoration project was launched by the Public Works Department with a budget of eight crore rupees to bring the site back to its former state. The restoration focused on the stone bandstand, which had suffered from water seepage and damaged flooring.


Skilled artisans from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh were brought in to perform delicate stone work. One of the strict conditions of the restoration was the prohibition of cement in the conservation process to follow international norms. Workers used rock treatments and chemical washing to clean the sandstone and restore its original elements using crushed stone.   


The project also included the installation of a 200-foot national flagpole and the construction of an open-air amphitheatre. These additions were designed to encourage public engagement while maintaining the historical character of the surroundings.


By mid 2025, over ninety per cent of the restoration work was completed, and the authorities began planning for a sustainable water supply to maintain the landscaped areas. The Department also considered the installation of protective barricades around the central pavilion to prevent people from climbing on the fragile domes during public events.   


The development of the Nagpur Metro has integrated the park into the modern transport network of the city. The Kasturchand Park Metro Station is an elevated facility that opened in August 2021 on the Orange Line.


The station architecture follows a traditional Rajput style with umbrellas and carved columns to reflect the heritage of the area. This facility has made the park more accessible to visitors and people from across the Vidarbha region who travel to the city centre for work or leisure.


The station provides a clean and well-maintained environment that contrasts with the previous years of neglect on the grounds.   


The authorities continue to monitor the use of the park to ensure that it remains a heritage cum recreational hub. A task force was established in late 2024 to oversee the conservation of the park and the nearby Zero Mile monument. This force includes experts from the Archaeological Survey of India and the Heritage Conservation Committee.


The court remains involved in the process and has demanded regular updates on the structural audits and restoration plans.

The future of the park depends on the ability of the city to balance its needs for public assemblies with the preservation of its historical monuments


Major Events and Festivals at the Kasturchand Park


Kasturchand Park has long been the heart of Nagpur’s public life. Its open expanse makes it ideal for large processions, political rallies and cultural fairs. Each year, the park hosts dozens of exhibitions and gatherings. For example, seasonal book fairs and computer expositions are commonly held on the grounds. The park’s “central location makes it a key landmark,” notes a travel guide, and reviewers comment on the park’s constant schedule of exhibitions and fests.


One of the park’s best-known events is the annual Dussehra (Vijayadashmi) celebration. The Sanatan Dharma Yuvak Sabha, a local religious youth group, stages a Ravan Dahan here every year, drawing crowds in the tens of thousands.

In 2018, the Sabha announced plans for the festival, including a dramatic Ramayana dance and fireworks that culminated in burning a giant 60-foot effigy of Ravan at Kasturchand Park. The Binwar family of artisans, who have built these effigies for decades, noted that 2018’s Ravan was 60ft tall and painted with fluorescent colours and social messages like “Save Girl Child”.


In 2025, local artisan Khemkaran Binwar explained that his family carries on an inherited craft: “This is our father’s heritage. We are only carrying it forward,” he said as workers laboured on that year’s effigy at the park.


Over time, the Dussehra celebration at Kasturchand Park has become one of Nagpur’s largest annual gatherings (the 2024 event was reported as the city’s 74th Ravan Dahan), and it brings a festive atmosphere every autumn.


Beyond Dussehra, the park is a centre for other cultural functions. Navratri Garba dances have drawn big crowds here, particularly large events organised by local media groups.


During Ganesh Chaturthi and other Hindu festivals, the lawns fill with devotees and performers. The park even doubles as a venue for Republic Day and Independence Day ceremonies.


For example, Nagpur District held its 26 January 2025 Republic Day celebration at the KP grounds with dignitaries in attendance.


Music concerts, food fairs, and occasional sports meets also take place here, reflecting the park’s role as a city-square for Vidarbha’s largest city. Reviewers note that on any given day, the ground may host anything from a folk dance show to a street-food festival, with visitors enjoying both the local “tarri poha” snacks and cultural shows.


Visitor Information


Kasturchand Park sits at Savidhan Square, opposite the Reserve Bank of India’s Nagpur branch. The nearest public transport link is the Kasturchand Park Metro Station on Nagpur Metro’s Orange Line; commuters disembark here for direct access to the grounds.


Buses and rickshaws also serve the area, though parking space can be scarce during large events. The park is generally open 24 hours to the public, with no entry fee for casual visits. Visitors should check local listings for scheduled events like exhibitions or the annual Ravan Dahan, which may have designated hours or ticketed entry.

Inside, visitors will see the restored bandstand at the centre, along with flagpoles and a cleared circular area where cultural programs are held. Benches and trees dot the perimeter, but much of the land is open ground. A modest playground area exists for children, and drinking water and toilet facilities have been added during the renovation. Vendors selling street food, especially Nagpur’s famous tarri poha (flavoured flat rice) and “sadya”, a local snack, often set up stalls during events. Even on regular days, one can find vendors and people strolling on the walking track.


Safety and cleanliness have improved with the park’s upgrade: new lighting illuminates the park after dark, and guards now patrol during major gatherings.


On festival days, multiple entry gates are opened, and crowds are guided to bring their own mats or seating. In all, Kasturchand Park today functions as a multipurpose civic space, part heritage monument, part community ground, offering Nagpur residents a place for celebration and recreation alike.


Kasturchand Park remains central to Nagpur’s civic identity. Its open fields have seen everything from colonial-era exhibitions to modern prayer meetings. Those who visit can experience a blend of living culture and colonial heritage. 


Time-honoured traditions and new amenities now stand side by side, as Nagpurites continue to gather here for festivals, sports and the simple pleasure of spending a day in one of the city’s most historic parks.



FAQs


Q: What is the history of Kasturchand Park in Nagpur? 

A: Kasturchand Park was originally a British-era cantonment ground and arsenal site. In 1908 local industrialist Sir Kasturchand Daga donated land and funds for an industrial exhibition, and the park was subsequently named in his honour. It has since served as a public ground for fairs and gatherings, making it one of Nagpur’s most historic open spaces.


Q: Which major events and festivals take place at Kasturchand Park?

A: The park hosts Nagpur’s main Dussehra celebration (with giant effigies of Ravan burned each year), as well as Garba night festivities during Navratri, New Year’s processions, and large exhibitions. It is also used for Republic Day and Independence Day ceremonies, cultural concerts, book fairs and prayer gatherings. The space can accommodate tens of thousands of attendees for such events.


Q: Is Kasturchand Park open to the public and how do I get there? 

A: Yes, Kasturchand Park is open to the public and has no general entry fee. It lies near Reserve Bank Square in central Nagpur. The nearest metro stop is Kasturchand Park Metro Station, which provides direct access. Local buses and auto-rickshaws also serve the area. Visitors should check event schedules, as special programs like exhibitions or festivals may have specific entry requirements.


References


 


Comments

Rated 0 out of 5 stars.
No ratings yet
Add a rating

About the Author

Pranay Arya is the founder and editor of The News Dirt, an independent journalism platform focused on ground-level reporting across Vidarbha. He has authored 800+ research-based articles covering public issues, regional history, infrastructure, governance, and socio-economic developments, building one of the region’s most extensive digital knowledge archives.

bottom of page