Kharagpur (Bengali: খড়গপুর Khad̂agpur) and Midnapore (Bengali: মেদিনীপুর Medinīpur) are two cities in the southwest region of West Bengal, at the opposite banks of the Kangsabati River, locally called Kansai (কাঁসাই Kām̐sāi).
Understand
[edit]Kharagpur (KHAW-rrohg-poor) is a planned industrial city and home to the first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). Kharagpur was once a part of the Hijli Kingdom and ruled by Hindu Odia rulers under the Gajapati kings of Odisha. Till 1886, the Hijli Kingdom covered parts of present-day West Bengal and Odisha.
Midnapore (MEHD-nih-poor) is the headquarters of Paschim Medinipur district.
Climate
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Summers start in March and are hot and humid, with average temperatures close to 30 °C (86 °F). They are followed by the monsoon season which sees about 1,140 mm (45 in) of rain. Winters are brief but chilly, lasting from December to mid-February, with average temperatures around 22 °C (72 °F). Total annual rainfall is around 1,400 mm (55 in).
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]The nearest commercial airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU IATA) in Kolkata.
By train
[edit]
Kharagpur and Midnapore are served by three railway stations, including Kharagpur Junction, Midnapore and Hijli.
Get around
[edit]
See and do
[edit]- 1 BNR Garden (Railway Garden) (S of Kharagpur SER ). A park and a picnic spot, frequented by people of all ages. It offers toy train rides within the park.
- Gole Bazaar Durga Temple, Old Settlement, (opposite BNR Excellence Academy. You can take a cycle rickshaw or an electric rickshaw from Kharagpur Junction SER ). The temple was established in the early 20th century by some Bengali people working on the railways. It is famous for its Durga Puja and is very popular. It also serves as a seat of culture for the city.
- 2 Gopegarh Heritage and Nature Eco-Tourism Centre. A good picnic spot
- 3 Hijli Eco Park (Deer park), Paschimpathri. 8:00AM–4:30PM. It’s a famous picnic spot in winter. There is a small deer park inside.
- 4 Kalaikunda Air Force Station. Built by the British for the Royal Indian Air Force during World War II. It was used to conduct raids against advancing Japanese in Burma and also for operations to transport aid to parts of China.
- 5 Khargeshwar Temple. This is one of the oldest temples in the city, a Shiva temple, from which derives the name of Kharagpur.
- 6 Salua Air Force Station. An airbase used by the 317th Airlift Squadron of the US Air Force during World War II.
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
[edit]- 7 Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), Hijli (local: Hijli South Eastern ).
The first Indian Institute of Technology in 1951, IIT Kharagpur was previously a detention camp during the British Raj to imprison Indian independence activists.
The detention camp building, which was later renamed Shaheed Bhavan, was built on the Neo-Byzantine style of architecture. In 1990, the building was converted into a museum called the Nehru Museum of Science and Technology. The museum has many indoor exhibits, which include technical models collected from various institutes and organisations across India. The park outside the museum contains 14 open-air demonstrations and outdoor exhibits. The outdoor exhibits include a Hawker Hunter Mk 56 and a steam locomotive. The museum has an archive room showcasing documents relating to the history of IIT Kharagpur and Southwest Bengal.
Midnapore
[edit]- 8 Fort ruins of Rani Shiromani, Karnagarh. The fort's interior was divided into two parts, the andarmahal (অন্দরমহল) for the royal family and the sadarmahal (সদরমহল) for others. The temples of Dandeshwar, Jogmaya and Mahamaya, the ruling deities of Karnagarh, are south of the fort. Unfortunately, hardly anything, other than memory, remains here. A big fair is held on Poush Sankranti (Makar Sankranti). The Karnagarh family had two other forts nearby – at Abasgarh and Jamdargarh.
- 9 Jagannath Temple, Nutan Bazar. The temple was built in 1851, possibly at the request of a descendant of the Ganga dynasty of Odisha.
- 10 Jora Masjid, Mian Bazar. Notable for Annual Urs festival.
Buy
[edit]It is not uncommon for shops to open late and close during the hours of the afternoon in the hotter months of the year. Also, shops can close for tea and sporting events such as cricket and FIFA World Cup.
Eat
[edit]More than 50 restaurants are present all over Kharagpur with delicious food. Tea shops and paan stalls abound and there is a high concentration of sweet-shops. Here you can find one of the very notable sweets in Bengal – 'Khirayer Gogjaa'. The shanty restaurants in Bogda bus stand are always ready with cooked food, comprised of coarse rice, watery dal, etc. The owner will welcome you in such a fashion that they have been waiting for you only for a long time with their culinary expertise.
- Taaz biriyani, New Bus Stand. 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM.
- Flavour, Nawab Conclave, Ground Floor, O.T Road, Ananda Nagar Colony, Inda. 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM.
- Scrummys Kharagpur, OT Road, near Allahabad bank, Inda. 09:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
- The Waldorf, Chota Tengra.
- Momo Center Salua, SH 5, EFR,Salua, Salua.
- Great India Restaurant, NH 6, Saha Chowk, Malancha.
- Hotel Capsicum, NH 6, Saha chowk.
- Food City, 253/219, Malancha Road (opposite Axis Bank).
Drink
[edit]Mahua from Santhal women on the way to Bhosraghat.
- Little Sisters Restaurant & Bar, Chota Tengra (near Puri Gate).
- Hongkong Restaurant Cum Bar, No shooting Area, Kharagpur Local, Salua.
- Havana Restaurant, Kaushallya.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Guin Brothers Hotel & Lodge, Traffic side railway booking counter (near the Railway Station), ☏ +91 3222 226543, +91 9641241665.
- 2 Guin's Bros Lodge, Orissa Trunk Road, ☏ +91 3222-225021, +91 8001200463, sales@welcomeinn.com. Has a minibar and parking.
- 3 Hotel Dwarika, Gole Bazar, Bhandari Chawk, ☏ +91 9474811485.
- 4 Hotel Greenland (near industrial area), ☏ +91 3222 291606.
- 5 Hotel Greenland Towers Pvt. Ltd. (near Bharat Petrol Pump), ☏ +91 3222 291605.
- 6 Hotel Park, Dhami Centre, Chhota Tengra (near IIT Kharagpur), ☏ +91 3222 645837, +91 3222 223981. Restaurant, Credit Cards accepted, TV in rooms
- 7 Hotel Swagat, DVC/IIT, ☏ +91 3222 278826.
- 8 Hotel Tamrolipto Park, NH 6, Saha Chowk, Dhekia (near Tata Metalick Road Crossing), ☏ +91 3222 234194, +91 9434009553.
- Hotel Reshma, Station Rd, ☏ +91 3222 264432.
- 9 Mrittika Tourism Property (Rani Shiromoni Paryatak Abas).
Connect
[edit]Cell phone coverage is excellent with all major mobile service providers offering their services in the city. The area dialing code for Kharagpur is 3222. From overseas dial +91 3222 XXX XXX, from within India dial 03222 XXX XXX. For mobile phones, dial +91 XXXXX XXXXX. Internet cafes are also available in plenty and charges between 10-25/hour.
Cope
[edit]Emergency
[edit]- Police, ☏ 100.
- Fire, ☏ 101.
Police stations
[edit]- Kharagpur Town, ☏ +91 3222 255967.
- Kharagpur Local, ☏ +91 3222 227841.