'''Asansol''' is a city in Bardhaman district of West Bengal. It is the second largest urban agglomeration in West Bengal and is an important mining and industrial centre.

Get in

By train

Asansol is an important junction on the Howrah-Delhi track and most of the trains stop here. For travel from Kolkata, 200 km, the short distance trains are ideal - ''Ranchi Shatabdi Express'', ''Agniveena Express'', ''Coalfield Express'' and ''Black Diamond Express'' from Howrah, and ''Inter City Express'' from Sealdah. Be sure to book a reserved seat in advance because the trains are generally crowded.

By road

Asansol is on Grand Trunk Road (NH 2) and so travel is straight. The road is superb with four lanes and a divider in place. Those travelling from Kolkata should take the Durgapur Expressway from Dankuni and then Grand Trunk Road (bypassing Bardhaman town)from Shaktigarh.

By air

Kolkata is the nearest commercial airport. There is a private airstrip at Burnpur, suitable for small planes.

Get around

Hired cars, auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available. Nobody goes by meters and so be sure to check about the hire charges before boarding.

See

  • '''Nehru Park''' on the bank of the Damodar river in Burnpur.
  • '''Churulia''' - here the famous poet - Kazi Nazrul Islam was born. He is considered the national poet of Bangladesh. The village is about 17 km from Asansol, and contains a museum with his works and a memorial for him. A fair with high standard cultural programmes are organised on the occasion of the poet's birthday in the Bengali month of Jaistha (May-June).
  • '''Kalyaneswari Temple''' ? The temple of the Lady of Fulfilment, about 20 km from Asansol has been a place of pilgrimage, particularly for barren women, for about five centuries. It is near Maithon. Normally one makes it a part of a visit to Maithon Dam.
  • '''Maithon Dam''' - about 20 km from Asansol. It is approachable via Neamatpur or Asansol Bypass, or one can take a little circuitous route via Chirkunda. Those travelling in a car often take one route for going out and return by the other.
  • '''Panchet Dam''' ? about 20 km from Asansol. It is approachable by Chirkunda.
  • '''Joychandi Pahar''' ? popular picnic spot and centre for rock climbing training, is about 30 km from Asansol. One has to take a train on the Asansol-Adra line to get there. There is a station of that name.
  • Parks:

    1.Satabdi Park: It is at 2 KM form station. There is the facilities of Paddle boating and few rides for the children. Nice place to spend the evening. 2. Neheru Park (Lamia Park): It is near about at 10 km from station. It is also a nice picnic spot for week ends.

    Do

    With the massive Rs. 5,000 crore plus modernisation of IISCO Steel Plant coming up, Asansol will be abuzz with commercial activity.
  • .
  • GHAGAR BURI CHANDI TEMPLE. EAR NH2. Maa ghagar buri is one 'roop' of Maa Chandi. U can give puja in morning time. U can have auto, taxi etc from ASN stn.

    Buy

    Coal and steel in bulk quantities. It is in the heart of the mining-industry zone. However, shops do sell the necessities of daily life. Most of the shops are on Grand Trunk Road, in the market area. It is near the station.

    Eat

  • '''Arpan''' on Burnpur Road, adjacent to Chitra Cinema.
  • '''Sudhamrit''' on Grand Trunk Road, right in the market place
  • ```Garam Masala``` Bombay hotel presents a complete vegetarian a/c restaurant in the market
  • Drink

  • '''Arpan''' has a bar.
  • Most of clubs in the area have the colonial old world charm but entry is restricted strictly to members and their guests.
  • .

    Sleep

  • Hotel Maithon. aithon Dam, Kalyaneswari, Burdwan, West Bengal" phone="0341 252 1405"></sleep>

  • Hotel Shanti Niwas. 91 033 9230653695. 2 noon. 1.30 AM. s 500 - 1500. AC NON AC ROOMS GARDEN RESTURANT SITUATED JUST NEAR THE DAM

    Get out

  • Santiniketan - Visva-Bharati, founded by Rabindranath Tagore and now a central university and an institution of national importance, is located here. It is about 90 km from Asansol.
  • Vishnupur - the famous terracota temple town and home to major art and craft is about 100 km from Asansol. The Bankura horse, symbol of Indian handicrafts is produced at Panchmura, near Vishnupur. It is also the home of the Baluchari sari, initially woven with Ramayana and Mahabharata motifs but now modernised.
  • Kendubillo ? temple and birthplace of Sanskrit poet Joydeb, on the banks of the Ajay river, is about 80 km from Asansol. Makar sankranti mela with bauls (religious singers with a detached philosohy and spontanaeity of their own) participating is held in mid January.
  • Bakreshwar ? hot spring and temple is about 70 km from Asanasol.
  • Durgapur - 30 km from Asansol.
  • Dhanbad - 60 km from Asansol.