Howrah
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Howrah is a city in Southeast Bengal in India, just to the west of Kolkata.
Understand
Howrah official is a city on its own but in fact it has long grown into one huge city together with Kolkata. Howrah is located on the Northern bank of the Hooghly river. Generally Howrah is considered poorer and less modern than the Kolkata side.
Get in
Howrah Railway Station is one of the largest stations in the country. The headquarters of Eastern Railways, it is well-connected to other parts of India. The Rajdhani Express connects to Delhi.
From its twin-city Kolkata it is easy to arrive by local city bus. As the station is the major transportation hub literally every second bus goes to Howrah station.
Get around
See: Kolkata#Get_around
To zip around between Kolkata and Howrah the ferry service to cross the river Hoogly is very good. There are a number of Banks (on the other side) and the ferries go to such as Armenian, Fairlie, Chandpal, Babughat, Princep. The fare per head is Rs 4, 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 fined!
See
- Belur Math Northern part of Howrah about 4 km 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. A visit to the temple is free and so is parking.It's a worthwhile visit. 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 [[Kolkata/North_Kolkata#See|Dakhineshwar Temple]].
By travelling with the "Howrah - Belur Math" local train to Belur Math you might catch a glimpse of the oldest operating Railway workshop in India built in 1853.
- Botanical Garden situated in the Southern part of Howrah, about 3km from Howrah station, get there by bus or taxi - depending on traffic it will take you anything between 25-45 minutes Mar-Sept: 5am-5.30pm; Oct-Feb: 5.30am-5pm foreigners: Rs.50; Indians: Rs.5A 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.
Do
Buy
- It might be worth to stroll down Howrah Maidan just for the excitement of a local market busy with street shops selling anything from clothes, to pots, to fruit. By bus or taxi from Howrah station it will only take 10 minutes to get there.
Eat
Local foods you must try are egg, chicken and mutton roll. They are known for their egg chicken roll, which is available anywhere for Rs 20. You will not find these foods anywhere else in the world. Mutton Biriyani is also worth a try, in Nijams or Arsalan.
Drink
Sleep
There are not many hotels in Howrah. Look around the station and considered staying in Kolkata.
- The Howrah Hotel 1, Mukhram Kanoria Road Adjacent to the Howrah Railway Station :+91 3326413878/26412149/28490240/55538251 http://www.thehowrahhotel.com/ 24 Hours Rs 150-250+ info@thehowrahhotel.comA 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.
Get out
- Kolkata is just over the river, and probably the reason you're here in the first place.
Related Information
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