Howrah
Howrah (Bengali: হাওড়া, Hindi: हावड़ा) is a city in Southeast Bengal in India and the twin city of Kolkata. It is the second largest city in West Bengal after Kolkata.
Understand
Geography
Howrah is in the eastern part of India and is spread along the western banks of the Hooghly River. While it is a separate city, Howrah is very much a part of the Kolkata metropolitan area, and Howrah railway station is where you will arrive from if connecting with anywhere north, south or east of Kolkata.
Get in
By plane
The nearest airport is the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata.
By train
- 1 Howrah Junction railway station (হাওড়া জংশন রেলওয়ে স্টেশন). Howrah Junction railway station is the largest railway complex in India with over 600 trains arriving per day. There are 26 platforms in Howrah station. Local trains of Eastern Railway arrives mainly at 1-9 platforms while South Eastern Railway local trains arrive at platforms 17-23, remaining platforms is used for long-distance trains. Platforms 17 to 26 are in New Complex, just south of the original building. For passengers it has an enormous covered waiting area between the main complex and the platforms. In addition there is a Yatri Niwas (railway's travellers' lodge) with dormitory, single room, and double room accommodation. The vehicular carriageways along the length of platforms allow passengers to be dropped near rail compartments — a facility unique among most major stations of the country.
- 2 Santragachi Junction railway station, Santragachi Station Rd, Santragachi. There are six platforms. Serves local trains to Amta, Mecheda, Panskura, Haldia, Contai, Midnapore and Kharagpur. A few trains originate from Santragachi station to Ajmer, Porbandar and Nanded, and a Vivek Express running to Mangalore Central starting from Santragachi. Mostly all Howrah/Shalimar bound express/mail trains stop here.
- 3 Shalimar railway station. This is a small railway station (compared to Howrah station) outside Kolkata which handles a few EMU trains and few Express trains.
By car
The historic Grand Trunk Road terminates at this city.
Get around
Map of Howrah
Kolkata is just across the river, and probably the reason one's here in the first place. To zip around between Kolkata and Howrah the ferry services to cross the river Hooghly is very convenient. There are a number of jetties. On the Kolkata side the ferries link to such jetties as Bagbazar, Armenian, Fairlie, Chandpalghat, Babughat, Princepghat. On the Howrah side there are jetties at Howrah Station, Ramkrishnapur Ghat, Botanical Garden Ghat, Bandhaghat, Golabari and Belur Math. Buy the ticket before you board the ferry and retain the ticket till after you have crossed to the other side and have shown it to the ticket checker near the exit gate or else you will be penalised!
For short distance travel, there are auto rickshaws, electric rickshaws and cycle rickshaws.
See
- 1 Belur Math, Northern part of Howrah (about 4 km (2.5 mi) from Howrah railway station. You can travel there by bus, auto or taxi. It takes 20-25 mins to get there and around 40 mins to return, because this route is longer and becomes more congested. All modes of transportation are easily accessible from adjacent to the Howrah railway station area/Howrah bus stand. Local trains also go th Belur Math, but going by auto, bus or taxi is much better as they drop you off at the entrance of Belur Math.). Belur Math is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Situated next to the Ganges one can sit on the banks of the river Hoogly during evening time and relax. Across the river Hoogly is the Dakhineshwar Temple. A visit to the temple is free and so is parking.
- Shibpur. Shibpur is a neighbourhood in south Howrah, near Vidyasagar Setu. Through 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 city blocks and looks like a forest all by itself. The British established the Indian Botanical Gardens in 1786 between the Great Banyan tree and the Hoogly River. Here there is one end of the Grand Trunk Road.
- 2 Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden (Shibpur), Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden Botanical Survey of India Shibpur Howrah West Bengal 711 103 (sin the southern part of Howrah, about 3 km (1.9 mi) from Howrah station, get there by bus or taxi - depending on traffic it will take you anything between 25-45 minutes), ☏ +91 33 67 32 31 35. Mar-Sep: 5AM-5:30PM; Oct-Feb: 5:30AM-5PM. An extraordinary place of vivid nature under the smog filled sky of the city. You will value the silence that is only filled by some birds singing. Nature is wonderfully beautiful here. Institution founded in 1786. foreigners: ₹50; Indians: ₹5.
- 3 Santragachhi Jheel, Middle part of Howrah city (7 km (4.3 mi) from Howrah station by train, or 6 km (3.7 mi) from Kolkata via Vidyasagar Setu). Santragachhi Jheel is a large lake next to the Santragachhi railway station. This lake attracts a lot of migratory birds in the winter months, particularly in December and January, impart because migratory birds are avoiding destinations like the lakes in Alipore Zoo, Kolkata. Birds like Saras Crane from North America and Australia, and many other local migratory birds such as Cotton Pygmy Goose, and Comb Duck, are spotted here during this season. The lake area is owned by South Eastern Railway, though the Forest Department of West Bengal also looks after the place. Efforts are made by local residents, Forest Department and Railways to improve the environment for the birds.
Bridges
There are four bridges across the Hooghly River, connecting Howrah and Kolkata.
- 1 Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu). The eastern rail terminus for Indian railways is at Howrah. An estimated two million people use Howrah station every day. Howrah station is Kolkata's main railway station and in order to go to Kolkata some use the ferry, a few hire taxis but most use buses or walk across the bridge. The area around Howrah station and Howrah Bridge has grown as a world of its own, catering to the needs of a huge floating population. The 705 m (2,313.0 ft) long Howrah Bridge is a cantilever bridge with a suspended span over the Hooghly River, commissioned in 1943. - This bridge frames the skyline of the riverfront. The ambience is as amicable and profound as the river that flows alongside. But, turn back to your trail of discovery. Dalhousie Square was the administrative centre for British India. On one side is the General Post Office, a majestic specimen of Edwardian architecture. It is built on the site of the original Fort William. On the other side stands Writers’ Building, a massive Gothic structure with lonic pillars – still the house of political power.
- 2 Nivedita Setu. Nivedita Setu is a cable-stayed bridge over Hooghly River in Kolkata, West Bengal. It runs parallel to and around 50 m downstream of the old Vivekananda Setu.
- 3 Vidyasagar Setu (Second Hooghly Bridge). With a total length of 823 m (2,700 ft), Vidyasagar Setu is the longest cable–stayed bridge in India and one of the longest in Asia. It was built 3.7 km (2.3 mi) south/downstream of Howrah Bridge. The bridge was commissioned in 1992
- 4 Vivekananda Setu (Bally Bridge). The 2,887 feet (880 m) long rail-cum-road bridge was built in 1932 as Willingdon bridge, and renamed Vivekananda Setu.
Do
Buy
- It might be worth while to stroll down Howrah Maidan just for the excitement of a local market, busy with street shops selling anything from clothes, to pots, to fruits. By bus or taxi from Howrah station it will only take 10 minutes to get there.
- 1 Avani Riverside Mall, 32 Jagat Banerjee Ghat Rd (nn the way to Kolkata - from Prinsep Ghat Railway Station — 1 km (0.62 mi) — take a trip to Dinobondhu College Bus Stop — 0.5 km (0.31 mi)), ☏ +91 33 3312-9000, fax: +91-33-2289-5811. 11AM–10PM. This three storey mall contains East India's first PVR cinema hall. Large food court and many shops. Free.
Eat
Local foods you must try are egg, chicken and mutton roll. Howrah is known for its egg chicken roll, which is available anywhere for ₹25. You will not find these foods anywhere else in the world. Mutton Biryani is also worth a try, in Nizams or Arsalan.
- 1 Kichukhhan, 23/2/2, Bhagwan Chatterjee Ln, Kadamtala, ☏ +91 98300 88008. North Indian and Indo-Chinese. Their signature dish is mixed fried rice. ₹200-250 for an average meal per person.
Drink
Sleep
For places to sleep in the Sudder Street area see Kolkata/Esplanade, for the Sealdah station area see Kolkata/North Kolkata, for the Ballygunge area see Kolkata/South. For other areas see the relevant area page.
Budget
- Rail Yathri Nivas, Howrah Railway Station, ☏ +91 33 2660-1742. Show your ticket. ₹350.
Mid-range
- 1 The Howrah Hotel, 1, Mukhram Kanoria Road (Adjacent to the Howrah Railway Station), ☏ +91 33 26413878, +91 33 26412149, +91 33 28490240, info@thehowrahhotel.com. Check-in: 24 hours. A heritage property, with a lot of character and one of the oldest hotels of Kolkata. Renowned for homey atmosphere and offers very neat and clean, airy rooms - one of the safest hotels in the locality, with cordial staff. Attached baths and cable TV. Five minutes walking distance from the railway station and bus stand. 5,000 sq ft garden. ₹550-₹650.
Splurge
- 2 Fortune Park Panchwati, Kona Expressway, Howrah - 711403 (Near Santragachi, 5 km (3.1 mi). from Vidyasagar Toll Plaza in Howrah, 20 min travel from Esplanade.), ☏ +91 33-39884444, fax: +91 33-39881222, sales.fhp@fortunehotels.in. Nestled in a serene and tranquil atmosphere, Fortune Park Panchwati is a grand place. Standard Room ₹4,200, Fortune Club Room ₹5,000, Executive Suite ₹7,000 (Best Rates Price).
Connect
- 5 Batai Post Office, 461, Sarat Chaterjee Road, Kazipara, Shalimar, Howrah (at 'Santa Sing More' Bus Stop). A Branch Office.
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