
City in West Bengal, India
Photo: Mondal.koustav, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Bardhaman (বর্ধমান Bardhamān) or Barddhaman (বর্দ্ধমান Barddhamān), also known as Burdwan, is the headquarters of the namesake Purba Bardhaman district of West Bengal. It is the largest agricultural centre in the state, located in what has been traditionally called the "granary of Bengal". It is a major transport centre with rail and road connections all around.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Founded in 1994, the Science Centre aims at promoting the amazing facts and mechanisms of science through various models and displays. Some of the popular exhibits include the mystery behind flying objects, a game of energy balls, the wonders of chemistry show and many more very interesting exhibits. The main attractions of the centre are 3D Theater, Science Shows, Science Magic & Miracle shows, Taramandal Shows and Sky Observation through Telescope. The centre has galleries on Fun Science, Human Performance and Life Science Corner. The science centre also organises daily shows (with separate tickets), which includes a 3D show (₹25), a Science show (₹10) and a Taramondal show (₹10).
গোলাপবাগ Golāpbāg
Literally "rose garden", Golapbag is a botanical garden built in 1883 by Raja Bijoy Chand Mahtab. Once a place of retreat for the Rajas, Golapbag later became the main campus of the University of Burdwan. It contains several ancient structures including the Hawa Mahal, a domed pavilion located on an island.
Bardhaman Zoological Park
Originally a botanical garden, Ramnabagan became a deer park with spotted deer in 1978. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary by 1981. The sanctuary consists of animals from different parts of erstwhile Bardhaman district. Ramnabagan forest, with its tall and stately teak and sal forest having mesophytic associates like kadbels, dumur and jam, is a solace from the din and bustle of urban life.
Built by Burdwan Development Authority (BDA), the clock tower resembles the Big Ben of London.
কার্জন গেট Kārjan Geṭ
Officially known as Bijoy Toran (বিজয় তোরণ Bijaẏ Toraṇ), literally the "victory gate". The ceremonial gateway was built to commemorate the visit of Lord Curzon, the viceroy of India, to Bardhaman in 1903. It was constructed by Bijoy Chand Mahtab, the head of Bardhaman Raj. The arched gateway is supported by eight columns and has two side arches. The side arches are topped with sitting lions and the central arches are crowned with three female figurines, with swords, boats, and sheaves of corn in their hands. On either side of the female figurines atop the eight columns are eight urs. After independence in 1947, the gateway came to be known as Bijoy Toran and the new name is inscribed in Bengali atop the arch. There are a pair of statues in front of the gate.
One of the longest cable-stayed bridges in West Bengal, the four-lane railway overbridge connects Bardhaman to Katwa. It was constructed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) and was inaugurated in 2019, replacing the century-old two-lane railway overbridge. It takes after the iconic Vidyasagar Setu in Kolkata.
Bardhaman Royal Palace
Built by Mahtab Chand Bahadur in the 19th century, on a site of a Mughal fort. It was constructed by Burn and Company. Later, Uday Chand Mahtab handed over the building to the state government, and now it houses an administrative department of the University of Burdwan.
It houses the tomb of a Persian Sufi saint Pir Bahram Sakka. He was known for providing water to thirsty travellers and was called Sakka (Persian word for one who gives water). He spent his last days in Bardhaman and died in 1663 or 64. However, the place is more known for the resting place of Sher Afghan Khan, the first husband of Noor Jahan (then known as Meherunissa), who later on went on to become the wife of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Buried next to Sher Afghan is Qutubuddin Koka. They both died fighting each other in a battle at Bardhaman in 1610. Sher Afghan (originally known as Ali Quli Khan Istajlu) was a jagirdar under Akbar and then under Jahangir. In 1594, he married Meherunissa. In 1610, Sher Afghan revolted against Jahangir and Jahangir sent Qutubuddin Koka to control the rebellion. The rebellion was brought under control but both Sher Afghan and Qutubuddin Koka died in the battle. Their tombs are next to each other. The tomb of Pir Baharam predates that of Sher Afghan and Qutubuddin Koka. The grave of Pir Bahram is housed inside a single domed structure while that of Sher Afghan and Qutubuddin Koka is housed inside a flat-roofed structure.
Khaja Anwar Ber
A Mughal-era tomb complex housing the grave of Khaja Anwar, the amir of Azim-us-shaw. Khaja Anwar was killed in an ambush in 1698. Later in 1715, Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar built a huge tomb in over for Khaja Anwar. Today walled tomb complex along with a mosque and several structures still stands and is popularly known as the Nawab Bari. The complex is centred around a huge tank, which has long dried up. At the centre of the dry tank is an arched pavilion popularly known as Hawa Mahal. The Hawa Mahal is connected to the mainland by an arched causeway. The entrance is through a two-storied gateway in the north. On the western side of the complex is a mosque. The triple dome mosque, which is still functional, has beautiful stucco works on its walls. The star attraction of the complex, the magnificent tomb, lies on the southern end of the complex. The single domed square structure is flanked on the corners by slender minarets. The square structure on the other hand is flanked by two rectangular structures topped with a typical Bengali-styled do-chala roof.
House of the Sain family
Aged mansion and the site of the infamous Sainbari murder of 1970.
সর্ব্বমঙ্গলা মন্দির Sarbbamaṅgalā Mandir
Established by Maharaja Kirtichand Ray, the temple is dedicated to Ma Sarbamangala, the family deity of the Bardhaman royal family. The temple followed the navaratna (nine-pinnacled) plan. Over the years the temple has largely been modified but many of the temple's beautiful terracotta panels have survived. It is an active temple with several other structures.
১০৮ শিব মন্দির 108 Śib Mandir
The complex consists of 108 temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and they are arranged in a rectangular formation around two ponds. The temples follow the at-chala style of architecture, the four corner temples are octagonal. The Shivalingas in all the temples are made of black stone. The temple complex was constructed in 1788 by Maharani Bishnu Kumari Devi, wife of Tilak Chandra Bahadur of the Bardhaman royal family. The temples were repaired in 1965 by Birla Jana Kalyan Trust. The unscientific repair leads to the temples losing their antiquity along with their grace and beauty. The temple complex is under the control of the 108 Shiv Mandir Trust Board. The complex also houses two statues of Nandi Bull. one white and another black. There is also a waiting shed for pilgrims and devotees. There is also a set of 108 bells near the entrance.
The oldest church in Purba Bardhaman district, built in 1816 under the auspices of Charles Stuart. It is a small church with a brick-red facade. The church is crowded during Christmas.
বর্ধমানেশ্বর মন্দির Bardhamāneśbar Mandir
A Shiva temple housing a huge Shivalinga. The Shivalinga is not very high but has a huge circumference and is often referred to as Moṭā Śib Mandir (মোটা শিব মন্দির). According to legend, the temple was founded by the legendary trader Chand Sadagar of Mansamangal fame. Today it is an active temple with modified and added structures hardly anything remains of its history.
কঙ্কালেশ্বরী মন্দির Kaṅkāleśbarī Mandir
A navaratna (nine-pinnacled) temple with terracotta reliefs. Although the temple is said to be ancient, the idol of Goddess Kali was found in 1913 from the Damodar River. The idol has eight hands with four at each side.
The sole gurudwara of Bardhaman, and one of the few Sikh places of worship in West Bengal. The gurudwara was built by Civil Surgeon Lt. Col. Harikishan Singh between 1930-35 in memory of his parents.
Kestosayer, Eco Park
One of the most famous natural attractions in the city. It is surrounds by an artificial lake, which was dug way back in 1691 by Raja Krishnaram Ray. The ancient garden surrounding the 33-acre lake only exists in bits and pieces. The lake offers boating facilities. the lake is a venue for several fairs and carnivals.
Named after the famous scientist Meghnad Saha, the planetarium came up in 1994 with the major instruments being gifted from Japan. The planetarium has a capacity of 90. Six shows of 35 minutes duration are held daily. The show happens when there are at least 10 people.
Literally "primary ghat", Sadarghat provides an amazing view of the Damodar River. A lot of people arrive at the sandy area to enjoy picnic.
It was built somewhere between 1890 and 1894. It preserves the legacy of Lala Bansogopal Nandey. It was handed over to the Bardhaman Municipality in 25 May 1984. The original structure occupied an area of . In 1990, the building was restored and extended. The present sitting capacity of the hall is 485 people. There is a children's park in front of the Town Hall.
A huge shopping complexe with a maze of shops.
By train
Barddhaman station has one two-bedded non-air-conditioned retiring room and an eight-bedded dormitory. The station consists of 8 platforms and each platform is given high-speed Wi-Fi access.
By bus
Bardhaman is well connected by bus with numerous places all around.
By car
The Grand Trunk Road runs across the city. NH 19, also called Durgapur Expressway, bypasses the city.
Cycle rickshaws and electric rickshaws (locally known as totos) are available for travel within the city. As all the tourist attractions are near the major roads, walking is also a good option.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Kolkata · International · CCU
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Bardhaman and India.
Explore the rainy seasons in Asia month by month. Compare Southwest and Northeast monsoons, typhoon belts, dry island escapes, and travel dates.
8 min read
Spot and avoid common tourist scams in India, including fake train ticket offices, closed hotel lies, rigged auto-rickshaws, and temple donation tricks.
8 min read
Full 2026 list of visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries for Indian passport holders. Check entry requirements, stay limits, and transit visa rules.
6 min read
Discover the best places to visit in India, from Delhi monuments and the Taj Mahal in Agra to Jaipur forts, sacred Varanasi ghats, and Kerala backwaters.
6 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.