| Howrah (Calcutta) | |
 | |
| State | India |
|---|---|
| Federated state | West Bengal |
Howrah is a district of the city of Calcutta.
To know
Howrah is officially a city in its own right, but it has actually long since grown into a huge conurbation along with Calcutta. Howrah is located on the west bank of the Hooghly River.
How to orient yourself
Howrah: full screen map.There are four bridges over the Hooghly River, which connect Howrah and Calcutta.
- 1 Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu). The eastern rail terminus for Indian Railways is located in Howrah. It is estimated that two million people use Howrah Station every day. Howrah Station is Kolkata's main train station and to go to Kolkata some use the ferry, some hire taxis, but most use buses or cross the bridge. The area around Howrah Station and Howrah Bridge has grown as a world apart, meeting the needs of a huge floating population. The 705m-long Howrah Bridge is a cantilever bridge with a suspended span over the Hooghly River, commissioned in 1943. - This bridge frames the riverside skyline. The atmosphere is as friendly and deep as the river that flows alongside. Dalhousie Square was the administrative center of British India. On the one hand there is thegeneral post office, a majestic specimen of Edwardian architecture. It is built on the original Fort William site. On the other side stands thewriters' building, a massive Gothic structure with lonic pillars; still today the seat of political power.
- 2 Nivedita Setu. A cable stayed bridge on the Hooghly River. It runs parallel about 50m downstream of the old Vivekananda Setu.
- 3 Vidyasagar Setu. With a total length of 823m, it is the longest suspension bridge in India and one of the longest in Asia. It was built 3.7 km south (downstream) of the Howrah Bridge. The bridge was commissioned in 1992
- 4 Vivekananda Setu. The 880m long railway bridge was built in 1932 as the Willingdon Bridge and only later renamed to its current name.
How to get
Howrah Station is the largest railway complex in the country. The headquarters of the Eastern Railways is well connected with other parts of India. The station is also home to a major transportation hub, which connects many bus lines through Howrah and Calcutta.
Howrah can also be reached via air and rail links in its sister city of Calcutta.
How to get around
The center of Kolkata is just across the river, and probably the reason you can go to this area. To travel between Calcutta and Howrah the ferry service across the Hoogly River is very convenient. There are a number of piers. On the Calcutta side ferries connect to docks like Baghbazar, Armeno, Fairlie, Chandpal, Babughat, Princep. On the Howrah side there are the docks at Howrah Station, Botanical Garden and Belur. Math. The ticket must be purchased before boarding the ferry and kept until the crossing is finished and then show it to the controller located near the exit gate, otherwise you will be subject to a fine!
There are numerous buses to Kolkata and different parts of Howrah. Taxis are also available to travel within Howrah to Calcutta.
For short distance travel, there are auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws.
What see
- 1 Belur Math, Northern part of Howrah (About 4km from Howrah Railway Station. You can get there by bus, car or taxi in 20/25 minutes and about 40 minutes to return, because this route is longer and becomes more congested. All means of transport are easily accessible from the adjacent Howrah Railway Station / Howrah Bus Stop area. Local trains also run to Belur Math, but going by car, bus or taxi is much better when they drop you off at the entrance to Belur Math).
Free temple visit and parking. Belur Math is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Located near the Ganges, one can sit on the banks of the Hoogly River during the evening and relax. Across the Hoogly River (a North Calcutta) there is the temple of Dakhineshwar. - Shibpur (At one end of Grand Trunk Road). Shibpur is a district in the south of Howrah, near Vidyasagar Setu. Over the centuries it has been synonymous with the great Banyan tree. The Great Banyan Tree boasts of having the largest canopy in the world. It continues to grow and covers many blocks and looks like a forest on its own. The British established the Indian botanical gardens in 1786 between the great Banyan tree and the Hoogly River.
- 2 Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanical Garden (Shibpur), Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden Botanical Survey of India Shibpur (Located in the southern part of Howrah, about 3km from Howrah station, arrive by bus or taxi - depending on traffic it will take between 25-45 minutes), ☎ 91 33 6732 3135. Foreigners: ₹ 50; Indians: ₹ 5.
March-September: 5: 00-17: 30; October-February: 5: 30-17: 00. An extraordinary place of vivid nature under the smog-filled sky of the city. You will appreciate the silence that is filled only by a few singing birds. Nature is wonderfully beautiful here. Institute founded in 1786. - 3 Santragachhi Jheel, Middle part of Howrah city (7km from Howrah Station by train, or 6km from Kolkata via Vidyasagar Setu). Santragachhi Jheel is a large lake, located near the Santragachhi train station. This lake attracts a large number of migratory birds in the winter months, particularly in December and January. The number has increased in recent years as migratory birds have begun avoiding destinations such as lakes at Alipore Zoo in Kolkata. Birds such as Saras Crane from North America and Australia, and many other local migratory birds such as Cotton Pygmy Goose, Comb Duck, etc. They are spotted here during this season. The lake area is owned by the South Eastern Railway, although the West Bengal Forestry Department also takes care of the place. Efforts are made by local residents, forestry department and railways to improve the environment for the birds.
Free temple visit and parking. Belur Math is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Located near the Ganges, one can sit on the banks of the Hoogly River during the evening and relax. Across the Hoogly River (a 
March-September: 5: 00-17: 30; October-February: 5: 30-17: 00. An extraordinary place of vivid nature under the smog-filled sky of the city. You will appreciate the silence that is filled only by a few singing birds. Nature is wonderfully beautiful here. Institute founded in 1786.What to do
Shopping
- Market, Howrah Maidan (10 minutes by bus or taxi from Howrah Station). It might be worth walking around just to experience a local market with street shops selling everything from clothes, to pots, to fruit.
- 1 Havana Riverside Mall, 32 Jagat Banerjee Ghat Road (On the way to Kolkata, 1km from Prinsep Ghat train station, to Dinobondhu College bus stop 0.5km), ☎ 91 33 3312-9000, fax: 91-33-2289-5811. Free entry. 11:00-22:00. This three-story mall houses East India's first PVR movie theater. Great food area and lots of shops.
How to have fun
Where to eat
Local foods to try are egg, chicken and mutton rolls. Howrah is known for its egg chicken rolls, which are available everywhere for ₹ 20. These foods are not available anywhere else. Mutton Biriyani in Nizams or Arsalan is also worth trying.
Where stay
For places to sleep in the Sudder Street area see Esplanade, for that of Sealdah station, North Calcutta and for that of Ballygunge South Calcutta. For all other areas, see the relevant area page.
Moderate prices
- Rail Yathri Nivas, Howrah Railway Station, ☎ 91 33 2660-1742. ₹350. Show your ticket.
Average prices
- 1 The Howrah Hotel, 1, Mukhram Kanoria Road (Next to Howrah train station and bus stop), ☎ 91 33 26413878, 91 33 26412149, 91 33 28490240, 91 33 55538251, @[email protected]. ₹550-₹650 . Check in: 00:00-24:00. A heritage property with lots of character and one of the oldest hotels in Kolkata and one of the safest in the place. Renowned for its homely atmosphere, it offers very clean, airy rooms with friendly staff. En-suite bathrooms and cable TV. Garden of 464 m².
High prices
- 2 Fortune Park Panchwati, Kona Expressway (Next to Santragachi, 5km from Vidyasagar Toll Plaza, 20 minutes drive from Esplanade), ☎ 91 33-39884444, fax: 91 33-39881222, @[email protected]. Standard room: ₹ 4,200, Fortune Club room ₹ 5,000, executive suite from ₹ 7,000. Nestled in a serene and peaceful atmosphere, Fortune Park Panchwati is a great place.
How to keep in touch
Post office
- 5 Batai post office, 461, Sarat Chaterjee Road, Kazipara, Shalimar (At the Santa Sing More bus stop). Detached office
