'''Howrah''' is a city in the Indian state of West Bengal, just to the west of Kolkata.

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.

Get around

Howrah has an extensive but badly-maintained transport system.

There is an '''extensive mini-bus network''', and the destinations are generally written in both Bengali and English. There are no marked bus stops, you can flag the bus anywhere on its route. However, the brightly painted buses are extremely uncomfortable, noisy and crowded. The ticket is bought from an on-board conductor who hangs out of the doorway, yelling out the names of the streets which the bus will pass. When you want to get off, tell the driver a few blocks in advance and he'll stop the bus for you.

There are the usual '''Calcutta-type shuttle autos'''. The routes and fares are fixed, with 5 people per auto, and you have to wait for your co-passengers to turn up. When the three-wheeled contraption is full, it's off. Prepare for a bumpy ride since the suspensions are terrible! Fun, but not highly recommended if you want to get from A to B as fast as you can.

The '''suburban railway''' is extensive, but the trains are not always maintained. First class is supposed to have fans, but most of them do not work. Not recommended.

Addition: " The best way to get anywhere in Howrah is also the local suburban railway. Dont expect luxury or comfort, but timeliness is something you can rely on. Secondly, always try to take the "howrah-belur math" local train that leaves from howrah and stops at belur math without any intermediate stops. It leaves from the station exactly facing the Belur math. But you should check on the time tables. By traveling this way you might catch a glimpse of the oldest operating Railway workshop in India built in 1853".

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! If you want to have your foreign currency exchanged, take a ferry to Babughat Ghat (on the other side) and you will find the STATE BANK OF INDIA (Regional Head Quaters), which is across the road. From there if you want to go walking to Esplanade (Dharamtalla) it takes 15 minutes. On your way you will pass by High Court of Calcutta, Eden Gardens (Cricket Stadium), St.Johns Cathedral, Governor's House. Not very far from St.Johns Cathedral is the BBD BAG or Dalhousie Square where you will find the West Bengal Tourism Centre. Fairlie (Ghat) - if you want to buy a train ticket the train reservation counter is at Fairlie Centre and another building next to it called Old Koilaghat Bldg., there are dedicated counters for only foreigners.

See

Belur Math - is situated in northern part of Howrah and is approximately 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 Dakhineshwar Temple.

One can go to Dakhineshwar Temple from Belur Math, which is around 3.5 km. There is also ferry service from Belur Math to Dakhineshwar. This ride is recommended. The fares are cheap around Rs 4.

Botanical Garden - is situated in the southern part of Howrah and is approximately 3 km from the Howrah railway station. You can travel there by bus or taxi. It takes 20 mins to get there and around 30 mins to return. All modes of transportation are accessible from adjacent to the Howrah railway station area/Howrah bus stand. Parking is Rs 7/hour.

Do

  • [http://www.howrah.org Howrah News Service: Get the latest news, articles, information and headlines on Howrah].
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    Buy

    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

  • The Howrah Hotel. , Mukhram Kanoria Road. djacent to the Howrah Railway Station. +91 3326413878/26412149/28490240/55538251. ttp://www.thehowrahhotel.com/. 4 Hours. s 150-250+. nfo@thehowrahhotel.com. 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.

    Get out

  • Kolkata is just over the river, and probably the reason you're here in the first place.