about us
  • Home
  • / Destination
  • / TIME-TRAVELLING THROUGH THE RUINED ROSS ISLAND ANDAMAN

TIME-TRAVELLING THROUGH THE RUINED ROSS ISLAND ANDAMAN

ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR, HISTORY, INDIA, PHOTO ESSAY

The moment you step onto the soil of Ross Island Andaman you know you have entered a zone that doesn’t belong to this era! The eeriness of the place is palpable and it takes you back in time – a different world, a different age.

****

I walked past the entry zone mulling over the golden period of Ross island and how Britishers used to exploit it for their own good. It’s hard to visualise the way Indian freedom fighters were made to work tirelessly while the Britishers used to have a gala time ruling over them. Just when I got a tad too restless, a gorgeous deer walked past me.

Umm the secret stories that Ross Island harbour!  On our last trip to Andaman, we visited the ruined Ross Island that was once the administrative settlement of Britishers.

We were extremely excited about visiting the island ever since a good friend (thanks for the tip Vishwajeet) tipped us about the place. An abandoned island, it once boasted of lavish gardens, modern amenities like swimming pool, open-air theatres, bakery, ice-making plants.

The ruined edifices of British haven prove that Ross Island Andaman at one point of time was a mark of affluent imperial lifestyle. To our delight the island was just ideal for spending a tranquil afternoon away from the bustling Port Blair.

Ross island Andaman

30 minutes ferry later you are at the Ross Island

Ross island Andaman

Follow the island rules

Ross island Andaman

The entry point

HIGHLIGHTS: ROSS ISLAND IN A GLANCE

  • Ross Island makes for a perfect half day getaway from Port Blair. It is a comfy short boat ride away from Aberdeen Jetty that is 2km east of the capital.
  • As you step inside the premises of the ruined land of Ross Island that’s been preserved for years, you’ll see a couple of friendly deers, just walk past them and make your way to the tracks. Once there, simply take a walk and with the help of sign boards uncover the crumbling tracks.
  • Picture how leisurely and pompous the life of Britishers must have been in that era on the island. Examine the bakery, the Presbyterian Church, and water plants – ruins of the once effulgent structures.
  • You can pack fresh fruits and some healthy eats to have a mini picnic at the Ross Island. The only canteen that is operational at the island serves just water and a few snacks!
  • Good, comfortable pair of shoes is most advised when visiting the island as there’s a lot of walking to be done, back and forth. If visiting during hotter months, make sure you apply generous amount of sunscreen and carry an umbrella to avoid the heat. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
  • Mobile connectivity is limited.
  • It takes about 30 minutes from the jetty to reach the island and the cost per person for the round trip is 200INR for NON AC and 300 INR for AC. Make sure you reach the jetty in time as the departure timings are fixed. The first boat leaves the dock at 8:30 AM. You’ll be allotted 2-3 hours to explore the island and then return back at a fixed time to board the boat. If you miss it, you can be in a sticky situation. So set an alarm for the exploration and be back in time.
Ross island Andaman

I am manning this today 😉

Ross island Andaman

Shame!

HISTORY OF ROSS ISLAND, ANDAMAN

Named after British Marine Surveyor Sir Daniel Ross, Ross Island was the administrative headquarter of Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Owing to its strategic location, it housed the various Chief Commissioners of the Andamans, who could overlook the Cellular Jail at Port Blair from their opulent residence.

The island thus housed lavish facilities for the British officials, including a bakery, a tennis court, a bazaar and a printing press, remnants of which attract tourists from all over the world today.
The island was shaken due to a massive earthquake in 1941, and the headquarters were shifted to Port Blair.

Soon after, in 1942, the Japanese took over Ross Island as part of their reconnaissance during the Second World War, owing to which some articles of their presence are displayed on the island.

It was restored only in 1979, when it was handed over to the Indian Navy.

Ross island Andaman

The ruined bakery

Ross island Andaman

Japanese Bunker

Ross island Andaman

It’s so green

Ross island Andaman

Water distillation plant

Ross island Andaman

Tell me I’m funny

Ross island Andaman

Gotta relax now – to that view

Guided Tour of Ross Island

Somehow for me, the haunting ruins of Ross Island were reminiscent of the Scooby Do series – where Scooby along with Shaggy went to find out missing people in old, spooky buildings. I bet, it looked just like that in the night! Thank god for no tours to that island after evening.

If you are not too willing to walk up all the way to the highest point of the island, opt for a battery operated golf cart. We had to choose it as it was too sunny on the day we visited Ross Island.

All those who want to get a better clarity about the way things used to work during the bygone era can go for a guided tour with the only guide on the island, Ms Anuradha Rao.

It is well worth spending 300 INR and getting around the island with her as she treats the entire place as her home, and communicated with the animals (deers and peacocks) like they are her children.

Ross island Andaman

Ms. Anuradha – a humble lady

Entry fee to Ross Island: 30 INR Per Person
DSLR Photography: 30 INR
Videography: 75 INR

*****

We’ll recommend you to read the following travel blog posts on Andaman:

Andaman and Port Blair Itinerary

Havelock Itinerary

A visit to the Cellular Jail, Andaman

6 responses to “TIME-TRAVELLING THROUGH THE RUINED ROSS ISLAND ANDAMAN”

  1. Truly a fascinating place. I love ruins too and always seek them out, but I think at Ross island that won’t be tough 🙂

    That image of the Bakery was great…so beautiful ruins…

  2. Sarah Tamsin says:

    Wow looks like you had a great day out, and an educational one!

  3. neha says:

    Beautiful. Andaman is really a gem of a place. While mostly tourists go to Port Blair and Havelock, I feel ross island is a gem that shouldn’t be missed when one travels to Andaman. Thanks for bringing it’s vivid and beautiful looks out to the readers and providing a wonderful guide about visiting here

  4. Muhammad Ameen Sheikh says:

    Very nice post

  5. AlightIndia says:

    Do you excited to know about Famous Temples in Indore?

    I think You are interested because you read to the end. Then, let’s go with us to know about the famous temples in Indore. We have a blog that tells about the 8 famous temples in Indore in detail. I hope you are interested & press the link to our blog.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Most Popular
Recent Posts

Our featured post