| South Calcutta (Calcutta) | |
 | |
| State | India |
|---|---|
| Federated state | West Bengal |
South Calcutta is a district of the city of Calcutta.
To know
South Calcutta is less congested and more modern than the rest of the city. You will find more apartment blocks and green areas. The covered neighborhoods are: Ballygunge, Gariahat, Bhawanipur, Alipore, Chetla, New Alipore and Rash Behari.
A tram goes past the Entally market
How to orient yourself
South Calcutta: full screen map.
Kalighat Temple
How to get
Nirmal Hriday: Mother Teresa's home for the needy in Kalighat
Birla Temple
South Calcutta can easily be reached from central regions such as Dharmatala and Sealdah by bus, taxi or metro. From North Calcutta the number of buses is slightly low, but the metro is always an option. There are also bus connections with the eastern fringes as well southern. There is a railway system that connects the city to the suburbs and part of this system passes through the city.
- 1 Bidhan Ghat, Strand Rd, Hastings (Near the Tolly Canal).
On the train
Suburban suburban railways cross the eastern and southern borders of southern Calcutta. The Park Circus-Majherhat section is also used by the circular rail system. South Calcutta stations are:
- 2 Ballygunge railway station.
- 3 Dhakuria railway station.
- 4 Khidirpur railway station. Only via the Circular Railway.
- 5 Lake Gardens train station.
- 6 Majherhat railway station.
- 7 New Alipur Railway Station.
- 8 Park Circus train station.
- 9 Remount Road Railway Station. Only via the Circular Railway.
- 10 Tollygunge train station. Change at the Rabndra Sarovar metro station.
By bus
Buses have the widest coverage and are inexpensive. You can travel 20km for around ₹ 10. The exact fare depends on the type of bus, whether it is a state bus, a mini bus or a private bus.
By rickshaw
Point-to-point rickshaws are an inexpensive and popular form of transportation in many parts of the city, with the exception of the central business district. These accommodate four passengers but charge individual routes.
By taxi
Taxis are a fast mode of transportation and offer more comfort and privacy than other modes. However, they are much more expensive than buses or the subway. There are many agencies that provide rental cars (with and without A / C). The taximeter calculates the cost based on both distance and travel time.
By subway
The metro is the fastest and most convenient way to reach the south of Kolkata. However, there is only one path that runs along the city from north to south. This means that you may need to switch to other modes of transport to reach your destination. Trains depart every 10/15 minutes and cost ₹ 5/15. The service operates during these hours Mon-Sat 8: 00-21: 45 and Sun 14: 00-21: 45.
The metro runs from Dum Dum in the north to Kavi Subhas (New Garia) in the southeast. The entire metro line within South Calcutta is underground. South Calcutta Metro Stations are:
- 11 Jatin Das Park Metro Station (Hazra Morh).
- 12 Kalighat metro station (Rashbehari Morh / Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Road and Rashbehari Avenue intersection).
- 13 Netaji Bhawan Metro Station (Bhawanipur).
- 14 Rabindra Sadan metro station.
- 15 Rabindra Sarobar metro station (Change on the elevated suburban section at Tollygunge train station).
How to get around
What see
- 1 [link not working]Birla Industrial and Technological Museum (Birla Industrial & Technological Museum), 19A, Gurusaday Road, ☎ 91 33 22877241, 91 33 22877242, 91 33 22877243.
₹ 15; special performances require a supplement. 
Mon-Sun 10: 00-17: 30. A modern museum with lots of interesting artifacts, performances, events and activities, mainly popular with school-age children. The exhibits, many of which ask you to take an active part, can compete with what you might visit in countries like the United States of America. - 2 Maulana Azad Museum, 5, Ashraf Mistry Lane, Ballygunge (Near the gate of the Ballygunge military camp), ☎ 91 33 23356623. Free admission. Mon-Fri 10: 30-17: 30. The former home of the learned great Indian freedom fighter and India's Prime Minister for Education, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Maulana Azad's work, playing the mystic Sarmad of Prince Dara Shikoh, is also a cornerstone of India's centuries-old tradition. The museum is filled with narratives about his life, times, work, archives and personal items.
- 3 CIMA Art Gallery (Center of International Modern Art), Sunny Towers, 43 Ashutosh Chowdhury Avenue (Next to the Birla temple), ☎ 91 33 2485-8509, 91 33 2485 8717, @[email protected]. Free admission. Mon 15: 00-19: 00, Tue-Sat 11; 00-19: 00. The CIMA is a small museum that displays modern works of art.
- 4 National Library (former Belvedere House), Belvedere Road, Alipore (South Calcutta, near the Alipore Zoo. Metro Netaji Bhavan 1.3 km east), ☎ 91 33 2248-7831, 91-33-2479 1381 (main campus), 91 33-2479 2968 (director), 91-33-2479 2467 (librarian; PLIO), fax: 91 33 2479-1462, @[email protected]. Mon-Fri 9: 00-20: 00; Sat-Sun and holidays 9: 30-18: 00. This is a majestic abode. Once home to the British Viceroys, today it is the oldest library in India with a huge collection, including some rarities. It houses over a million books and is the largest library in India. It is recommended to spend a day in Science City, where you can choose your own special thrill in this exhibition park: a space theater, a space flight simulator, a recreated Jurassic forest, an aviary and a butterfly corner and much more!
- 5 Indian Government Mint, Alipore Mint Colony, New Alipore (South from Majherhat train station), ☎ 91 33 2401 4132. Mint.
- 6 Nirmal Hriday (Mother Teresa's House for the Dying Poor) (Next to the Kalighat temple). If you are bold, take a look around the building to see the people lying in large dormitories and being looked after by some sisters of the Missionaries of Charity.
- 7 Mother House (Missionaries of Charity), Entally.
- 8 Rabindra Sarovar (Next to Lake Gardens train station). It is a large open lake and park that is home to nautical clubs, an open-air theater and restaurants. Rowing regatta events take place here.
- 9 Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark, ☎ 91 33 2464 1307, @[email protected]. It houses a bookshop and a library with, among other things, Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literature. It has an auditorium and a well-kept guest house.
₹ 15; special performances require a supplement. 
Mon-Sun 10: 00-17: 30. A modern museum with lots of interesting artifacts, performances, events and activities, mainly popular with school-age children. The exhibits, many of which ask you to take an active part, can compete with what you might visit in countries like the Sacred places
- 10 Bhukailash Temple, Karl Marx Sarani, Khidirpur (Near the Babu Bazar).
- 11 Birla Temple (Radha-Krishna Temple or Birla Mandir), 2 Queens Park Road, Ashutosh Chowdary Ave (Ballygunge Phari bus stop). 5: 30-11: 00 and 16: 30-21: 00. The most modern-opulent in Kolkata and worth a visit. The tree-lined alley Queen's Park it is the most exclusive and trendy address in the city and worth a stroll. Some of the biggest names in the city call it home. Second for a while is the Sunny Park, which runs parallel to Queen's Park on the other side of Birla temple.
- 12 Durga Mandir, 127A, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rd (Tollygunge PS bus stop), ☎ 91 89 61613209.
- 13 Ismail Mosque (Masjid Ismail), Karl Marx Sarani, Khidirpur (Near the Babu Bazar).
- 14 Kalighat Temple, Kali Mandir Road (Jatin Das Park Metro Station). It houses the patron deity of Calcutta. According to legend, when Lord Shiva's body, Parvati, was cut into pieces, one of his fingers fell here. Rebuilt in 1809, this is an important shrine of Hindu Shakti worship
- 15 Lord Soni dev Temple, Harish Chatterjee Street (Tolly Canal Embankment).
What to do
Parks
- 1 Alipore Zoo (Calcutta Zoological Gardens), No.2 Alipore Road, ☎ 91 33 2479 1150, @[email protected]. Zoo ₹ 20, aquarium ₹ 5, video photography ₹ 250 / h. Fri-Wed 09: 00-17: 00, aquario 10: 30-17: 00. Built on 6 hectares of land in 1876. The lakes in the interior are a favorite refuge for Siberian migratory birds.
- 2 Bhawanipore Cemetery, Debendra Lal Khan Rd, Bhawanipur.
- 3 [link not working]Horticultural garden, 1, Alipore Road (South of the National Library and 0.8km from Remount Road train station). A lush environment and also the venue for exhibitions of exotic plants and flowers. This is spread over 21 hectares comprising main lawns and informal gardens and children's park, with many rare and tropical plants.
- 4 Kalighat Park, 61, Shyam Prasad Mukherjee Rd, Manoharpukur, Kalighat (0.8 km from Kalighat metro station).
- 5 [link not working]Lions Safari Park, Moiras Street, lake Terrace, Dhakuria (Vivekananda Park bus stop).
- 6 Padma Pukur Park, Kavi Bharati Sarani Road, Lake Gardens (On the lakefront).
Sport
- 7 Calcutta Cricket Center, ~ 107, Southern Ave, lake Terrace (On the northern lakeside of Rabindra Sarovar).
- 8 Rabindra Sarovar Stadium, Moira Street, Hindustan Par (Sarat Bose Southern Avenue, Crossing bus stop). Multi-purpose stadium that can accommodate 40,000 spectators.
Shopping
Banks
- 1 [link previously not working]Central Bank, Dr Sudhir Bose Road, Khidirpur (Next to the Fancy Market), ☎ 91 1800 200 1911.
Markets
- 2 Fancy Market, ~ 22, Karl Marx Sarani, Khidirpur. Consumer goods market including many foreign goods. Trendy items with "trendy prices". Beware of fakes.
- 3 Kidderpore Babu Bazar, Bhukailash Road, Khidirpur (300m west from the Fancy Market).
Shops
- 4 Dakhsinapan Shopping Center (Dakhsinapan Shopping Complex), Dhakuria. Mon 14: 00-19: 30, Tue-Sat 11: 00-19: 30. It is an excellent place to buy Indian handicrafts and artifacts. There are many Indian state government emporiums, stocked with fixed price goods from all over the country. It also has clothing stores, restaurants, and more.
- 5 The Forum, 10/3 Elgin Rd. Mon 13: 00-20: 00, Tue-Sat 10: 00-21: 00. There is a captivating range of exclusive shops housed on six floors. Forum is a fashion center and there are many beautiful clothes, accessories and shoes to choose from. For those with a longing for foreign things, you can find shops that sell Belgian chocolates, English cookies and so on. Some restaurants inside are: Oh! Calcutta (Tel: 91 33 22837161, dishes from ₹ 150, great Bengali food), Ar-Han-Thai (food Lebanese is Thai), Spaghetti Kitchen (food Italian), Starstruck (Chinese, Continental, North Indian, Mughlai).
- 6 Gariahat (In the Ballygunge area). The largest shopping district in Kolkata, where you can find shops ranging from brand name exhibition and shopping centers to numerous smaller shops. It has a good market for saris and other clothing. The shops are spread along both Rashbehari Avenue and Gariahat Road and extend into their side streets.
- 7 Gariahat Mall, Ballygunge.
- 8 Merlin Homeland Mall, 18B Asutosh Mukherjee Road, Bhawanipur (Next to the Zone Electronic Mall). Unique shopping mall for home DIY materials and home decor items.
- 9 Pantaloons, Ashutosh Chowdhury Rd, Dover Terrace, Ballygunge.
For the South City Mall see Southern fringes of Calcutta.
How to have fun
- Stainless steel, Forum Mall, Elgin Rd.
- 1 Vivekananda Park, Kavi Bharathi Road, Southern Park, Lake Gardens (Vivekananda Park bus stop).
Where to eat
Moderate prices
- Amrit National Hotel, 43 Diamond Harbor Rd (Mominpur bus stop, Alipore area), ☎ 91 33 66343401. Biryani and Mughlai food.
- South India Club Canteen, 70 B, Hindustan Park (Gariahat area), ☎ 91 33 24640927. Not fancy place but with delicious food.
Average prices
- 1 South City Mall, Prince Anwar Shah Road (Taltala bus stop). A fair number of all-priced restaurants are located on its third floor, and most of them have a bar. In addition to the side restaurants there is a large open space in the middle with seating, served by KFC and other outlets offering food ranging from South Indian to Kababs. These outlets are relatively less expensive. The Spencers also have a food area in their basement outlet. Among the restaurants on the third floor are: China Mainland restaurant (Innovative Chinese cuisine), Flame & Grill (variety of Kabab served hot), Zara The Tapas Bar and Restaurant (Mediterranean cuisine), Benjarong (Thai food), Sarson, Subway ( fast food), KFC (fast food) and Pizza Hut
Lake Gardens & Jodhpur Park
- 2 Chakhna Shakna Punjabi Dhaba (Flavors of Punjab.), 259-B, Lake-Gardens, Kol-45 (Near Ram-Mohan Mission School), ☎ 91 9002107890, 91 9474453800. Specialty of Punjab, of North India and Tandoori. They deliver free of charge but also offer table service.
- Domino's Pizza, 1/432 Gariahat Road South, Jodhpur Park, ☎ 91 33 24837471, 91 24837474-76-32402551, 91 33 40004601. 11:00-23:00.
- Don Giovanni's, 1/114 Jodhpur Park, ☎ 91 33 40007830, 91 33 24133243.
- Tandoor Park, 28/4 Gariahat Road South (Close to the Jodhpur Park post office), ☎ 91 33 40007588, 91 9836370051, 91 9831458972, 91 9830006647.
Gariahat & neighboring areas
- Bhojohari Manna, 18 / 1A, Hindustan Rd, ☎ 91 33 24663941, 91 33 24667686. Authentic Bengali food. Fish and vegetarian specialties: sukto, mochar ghanto, chital macher muitha, chingri macher malaikari, kankra (crab), etc. No alcohol.
- Bhojohari Manna, 9/18 Ekdalia Rd. Mainly take-away service, but food is also served.
- Chinese Pavilion, P 21 Old Ballygunge Rd (At the intersection with Ballygunge Phari), ☎ 91 33 22806107. Chinese and Thai cuisine.
- Corn N Kebab, 5th Floor Gariahat Mall, 13 Jamir Lane.
- The Dhaba, Ballygunge Phari, ☎ 91 33 40081178, 91 9230804192. Chinese and North Indian cuisine. Try the specialties of Punjab: roti makka is sarson by saag.
- Krystal Chopstick, 71 H, Hindustan Park (In front of Basanti Devi College), ☎ 91 33 66246625.
- [link previously not working]Mirch Masala, 49/2 Gariahat Rd (Near Pantaloons), ☎ 91 9830644484, 91 33 24618900. Great food Punjab, but also Chinese food. They serve a drink.
- 6 Ballygunge Place, 6 Ballygunge Pl, ☎ 91 33 24603922, 91 99 03975614. Buffet Lunch: ₹ 375 (Mon-Fri), ₹ 425 (Sat). Bengali and North Indian cuisine. They don't serve drinks.
- Tero Parban, 49C Purna Das Rd (Near Gol Park), ☎ 91 33 66246624.
Lake Market-Deshapriya Park
- Banana Leaf (A unit of Komala Vilas), 74 & 75 Rashbehari Ave (Near Lake Market), ☎ 91 33 24641960, 91 33 24640941. South Indian vegetarian snacks e thali. Great food and authentic flavors, very different from what you find in street kiosks which have a more Bengali flavor.
- Khawab, 166A, Sarat Bose Rd (Close to the state women's gymnasium), ☎ 91 9836033337, 91 9874246629, 91 33 24669695. Hyderabadi Mutton Biryani, Mutton Rogan Josh.
- Kurry Club, 176 Sarat Bose Rd, ☎ 91 33 24661979. Mexican, Italian and other cuisine.
- Tamarind, 177 Sarat Bose Rd (Near Deshapriya Park), ☎ 91 33 66343960. South Indian non-vegetarian place specializing in unique dishes. There are no snacks such as idli and doshas available.
- Zeeshan, 187 Sarat Bose Rd (Near Deshapriya Park), ☎ 91 33 66247911. Great Mughlai food.
Bhawanipore
- Bhojohari Manna, 23A, Priyanath Mallick St (Near Hazra Morh), ☎ 91 33 24545922. Authentic and traditional Bengali food.
- Bonophul, 28A, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rd (Close to the Bharati Cinema Hall), ☎ 91 33 24554879.
- Bijoli Grill, 38 Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rd, ☎ 91 33 24552360.
- Pepper Chino, 37 Sarat Bose Rd (In front of the Lakshmi Narayan temple), ☎ 91 33 24761257.
- Sangu Valley Restaurant, 6A, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rd, ☎ 91 9831361928, 91 8583962171.
Park Circus
- Arsalan, Park Circus five-point crossing, ☎ 91 33 22844010, 91 33 22848556. Biryani and Mughlai food.
- Jimmy's Kitchen, 7 / 1A, AJC Bose Rd (At the intersection of AJC Bose Road and Shakespeare Sarani), ☎ 91 33 22800486, 91 33 22907139. Chinese food.
- [link not working]Only Alibaba, 28A, Syed Amir Ali Ave, ☎ 91 33 40212222. Biryani and Mughlai food.
- Shiraz Golden Restaurant, 135 Park St (Near the intersection with AJC Bose Road), ☎ 91 33 22841825. Biryani and Mughlai food.
- Zeeshan, 17 Syed Amir Ali Ave, ☎ 91 33 22806842, 91 33 65202226. Biryani and Mughlai food.
Alipore & New Alipore
- Arsalan, 23A / 29 Diamond Harbor Rd (In front of the mint), ☎ 91 33 66038163. Biryani and Mughlai food.
- 3 Bhaatti-e Swaad-e-Punjab, 19/6 Block J, Shahpur Colony (Near Triangular Park, 1km north of Majerhat station, half a kilometer west of the Taratalla stop), ☎ 91 33 44505076. North Indian food.
Khidirpur
- 4 India Restaurant, 34 Karl Marx Sarani (Close to the Fancy Market), ☎ 91 33 44502381.
- 5 Sheesh Mahal, 28 Karl Marx Sarani (Close to the Fancy Market), ☎ 91 33 66037353.
To eat in Tangra / China Town see East Calcutta while for the Park Street area see Esplanade.
Where stay
Moderate prices
- 1 Fern Hotel & Restaurant, ☎ 91 33 24407797, 91 9831477704.
- 2 Komala Vilas hotels, 74 & 75 Rashbehari Ave (Close to Lake Market, 400m from Kalighat metro station), ☎ 91 33 24641960.
- 3 Mysore Guest House, 5A, Mysore Rd (Close to Lake Market, 200m from Kalighat metro station), ☎ 91 33 24667705.
- 4 Park Inn, 10/1 Tal Bagan Ln (Near Park Circus Maidan). Double: USD 20.
- 5 Sharani Lodge, 71 / K Hindustan Park, Gariahat, ☎ 91 33 24635717, 91 33 24641999, 91 33 24644971.
Average prices
- 6 The Best Inn, 1B Sushil Sen Road (At the intersection of Chowringhee Road and Elgin Road, near the Rabindra Sadan metro station), ☎ 91 33 24549101. ₹2.000/3.000. Amenities include air conditioning, telephone, internet connection, cable TV, laundry service, housekeeping service, room service, continental breakfast. All types of rooms with attached bathrooms.
- 7 Central Bed & Breakfast, 7th Floor, Lansdowne Court, 5B, Sarat Bose Rd (10 minutes drive from Park Street and 1 minute from Minto Park), ☎ 91 9836465400, @[email protected]. ₹2,699. Check in: 12:00, check-out: 10:00. It is on the seventh floor of a residential apartment. 4 bedrooms with free WiFi, attached bathrooms, shared kitchen. All bedrooms are air-conditioned. The owners live in the same building. Great location, secure with 24/7 security. Recommended for backpackers.
- 8 [link not working]Akash Ganga hotels, 1 Orient Row (Near Park Circus maidan), ☎ 91 33 2287 4056, 91 33 2287 5817, 91 33 2289 5791. ₹990/2.500. Check-out: 12:00.
- 9 Samilton hotel, 35A, Sarat Bose Rd. ₹3.000/4.500.
- 10 [link not working]Lee International, 53D / 1, Tiljala Road, Park Circus, ☎ 91 33 23431678, 91 33 23431679, @[email protected]. ₹2.595/4.095. Check-out: 12:00.
- Mrs. Dam's Guesthouse, Near Ballygunge (Close to the Ice Skating Rink), ☎ 91 33 2290 4533. ₹2000. Modern and nicely furnished rooms with attached bathroom, air conditioning, TV etc. In a quiet and safe neighborhood. The helpful owner lives in the same building and is a useful source for advice on what to see and where to go in Kolkata. They also have a great cook, so be sure to try a home cooked Bengali meal when you get there.
- 11 The Red Carpet, P-399, Keyatala Lane (In a very elegant area between Southern Avenue and Rash Behari Avenue), ☎ 91 33 40086847. ₹2.500.
High prices
- Bodhi Tree Boutique Guesthouse, 48/44, Swiss Park, Kolkata. (Close to metro station Rabindra Sarovar and Swiss Park), ☎ 91 33 2424 6534, fax: 91 33 2424 1598.
- 12 Hindustan International hotels, A.J.C. Bose Rd (Close to Rabindra Sarovar metro station and Minto Park). 5 star rates. Good food.
- 13 Taj Bengal hotels, 34B, Belvedere Road, Alipore, ☎ 91 33 2223 3939, fax: 91 33 2223 1766. 5 star rates. One of the best in town.
How to keep in touch
Post office
- 16 Sarat Bose Road Post Office, Raja Basanta Roy Rd, Southern Avenue, Ballygunge (Bus stop at the intersection with Sarat Bose Southern Avenue), ☎ 91 33 2466 3126.
Useful information
- 17 National Library, Belvedere Road, ☎ 91 33 24791381.
Other projects
Commons contains images or other files on South Calcutta
