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Kolkata, India
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The Northern Suburbs (উত্তর শহরতলি Uttor Shohortoli) of Kolkata cover the large urbanised industrial area to the north of the city, which includes Baguiati, Baranagar, Belgachia, Birati, Chitpur, Cossipore, Dakshineswar, Dum Dum, Lake Town, Nagerbazar, Paikpara and Sinthee. The once flourishing manufacturing belt still has some units working well, but the industrial area as a whole is no more in the pink of health.
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Once a residence of Balaram Bose, a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, the house hosts various events under the auspices of the Ramakrishna Mission, including the birthday celebrations of Ramakrishna, his wife Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda. The house also has a collection of 1,800 books.
Paikpara Rajbari
A large garden house. Prince Dwarkanath Tagore bought it from an Italian around 1823. In 1846, when he died in England, it was discovered that he was heavily in debt due to his extravagant spending. To pay off his debts, his son Debendranath sold Belgachia Villa and other properties.
Considered to be the first pucca brick and cement building in West Bengal, possibly built by the Dutch or Portuguese. What is known is that it was used by British soldiers when they first entered the country. Later, Robert Clive took the area over, renovated it, added a floor to the single-storey building, and made it his country house around 1757-60. The house is on a raised mound in otherwise flat surroundings. When Clive House was excavated, a variety of artefacts were recovered, including coins, terracotta figures, sculptures, pottery and intelligence on a Portuguese fort. The articles found could be of the Sena period or may alternatively have links with the ancient Chandraketugarh civilisation. The name "Clive House" also refers to the surrounding neighbourhood.
কাশীপুর মহাশ্মশান Kāshīpur Mohāshmoshān
Another major Hindu crematorium along the Hooghly River after Nimtala Ghat. It is where Sri Ramakrishna was cremated in 1886, and his remains are kept at "Sri Ramkrishna Paramhanshadev Samadhiprangan", literally the "burial ground of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa".
A 75 ft masonry tower, built in 1831 for the Great Trigonometrical Survey conducted by George Everest, the namesake of Mount Everest. The tower is still maintained in good condition by the KMC, as a relic of the history of geographic survey in India.
One of the largest overhead water reservoirs in the world, as well as the major water supplier to Kolkata for more than 110 years since its inauguration in May 1911 by Edward Norman Baker, the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal. Owned by the KMC, the reservoir is fed by Palta Water Works near Barrackpore and to send the water supply to the city. It covers 3-4 acre with a capacity of 9.9 e6impgal, and weighs 44 e3t at maximum capacity.
দক্ষিণেশ্বর কালীবাড়ি Dokhyiṇeshwor Kālībāṛi
The famous Hindu navaratna (nine-pinnacled) temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, who is worshipped here as Ma Bhavatarini. The temple was inaugurated by Rani Rashmoni in 1855, and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was the head and only priest of it from 1856 to 1886. He spent most of his life in the nahabat khānā (corruption of naubat xānā, meaning "drum house") chamber of the temple complex. After Ramakrishna's death, the temple complex had been taken over by the then-Government of Bengal, later the Government of West Bengal. It attracts thousands of worshipers around the year, especially on the day of Shyama Puja, Shiva Chaturdashi, Poyla Boishakh, Akshaya Tritiya, New Year's Day and Kalpataru Utsava. Beside the main temple, there are twelve shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva along the Hooghly River and a bathing ghat.
পঞ্চবটী Ponchoboṭī
A complex of trees consisting of banyan (বট boṭ), peepal (অশ্বত্থ oshwottho), neem (নিম nim), amla (আমলকী āmlokī) and woodapple (বেল bel) trees. This is where Ramakrishna performed his advaitic sādhonā in 1865.
The shrine dedicated to Rani Rashmoni, the founder of the temple.
ISI
Founded by the statistician Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in 1932, the institute is often considered one of the foremost centres in the world for training and research in statistics.
Houses the fossil of the dinosaur species Barapasaurus tagorei native to India, with a life-sized replica skeleton on display.
Amrapali
A museum hosted in the former residence of statistician Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis. It has five galleries dedicated to his life, along with 752 exhibits. It also has a preserved study room and living quarters of the statistician for their historical value.
আলমবাজার মঠ Ālombājār Mōṭh
Second monastery of Ramakrishna Order. Swami Vivekananda first put up here after coming back from abroad.
বরাহনগর মঠ Borāhonogor Moṭh
First monastery of Ramakrishna Order. After the death of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and some of his other disciples permanently started to live here. Here, they decided to establish Belur Math for the first time.
BRKM
Founded by Yogindranath Tagore (the disciple of Swami Brahmananda) in 1912. This institution celebrates many cultural programmes throughout the year. Many people come to watch those cultural events every year.
Daily ritual worships are performed here by the nuns. The birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda, and other personalities are celebrated in this nunnery, besides the Hindu festivals. Religious discourse and lectures are also done regularly.
উদ্যানবাটী Udyānbāṭī, Garden House
A monastery where Sri Ramakrishna lived from 1885 till his death in 1886. Kalpataru Utsav is celebrated every year at 1 January.
নিবেদিতা সেতু Nibeditā Setu
A multi-span extradosed bridge, named after a disciple of Swami Vivekananda. See the Bally listing for details.
বিবেকানন্দ সেতু Bibekānondo Setu
A 880 m long rail-cum-road bridge, commonly known as Bally Bridge (বালি ব্রিজ Bāli Brij). See the Bally listing for details.
The oldest mosque in Kolkata, dating back to 1804. It has three domes and four minarets, and is affiliated with the Hanafi school of worship.
The only church serving Baranagar.
আদ্যাপীঠ মন্দির Ādyāpīṭh Mondir
A three-pinnacled temple dedicated to goddess Adya, and the centre of a major religious controversy. It is said that Annada Thakur received a divine command that goddess Adya was buried under the Eden Gardens for thousands of years. He went there in 1928 and allegedly saw the statue of the goddess coming out from the ground. He consecrated the statue as the idol of this temple. But archaeologist Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay found that the statue was sculpted recently and not thousands of years ago, as Annada Thakur claimed. Later, many people got enraged to Thakur's deception, and the devotees of the goddess decided to immerse the statue to the Ganges to prevent further fury. The sanctum of the temple remained void till the consecration of the present idol.
বামনদাস মুখোপাধ্যায় কালীবাড়ি Bāmondās Mukhōpādhyāy Kālībāṛi
Bamondas Mookerjee is considered a leading industrialist of his time in brickfields and colliery. After purchasing 35 bighas (46,900 m²) of land at Cossipore from British attorney John Hart in 1894, he built a Kali temple in 1904. Daily worship and all rituals are practised here, although animal sacrifice is prohibited.
Glass Temple
Joy Mitra Kalibari
A navaratna (nine-pinnacled) temple of Goddess Kali worshipped as Kripamayee (she who is merciful). There are twelve shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The Annapurna Temple and the Omkarnath Temple are two attractions here.
Considered one of the most sacred Jain temples of worship in Kolkata. The temple also has a dharamshala equipped with modern facilities.
A place where Chaitanya Mahaprabhu set his foot on his way to Puri in the early 16th century.
Hosts various local events throughout the year, including "Ajanta Circus" every winter.
A parcel of greenery within the area's hustle.
Biryani and Mughlai food. Popular items: firni, mutton kosha, mutton boti kebab, chicken chatpata, mutton biryani, egg chicken roll.
Vegetarian meals such as chole bhature.
Vegetarian restaurant
Quality Punjabi dhaba food. Chinese & Thai dishes also available. AC or open-air seating. Drinks served.
Traditional Bengal sweets, curd (in Bengali "doi"), ice cream, dhokla, lassi.
Multi-cuisine restaurant.
মহুয়া Mahuẏā
The 40-year-old shop is known for creamy dahi (দই dai), and it often runs out of dahi every day.
A hotel-cum-restaurant with quality Punjabi dhaba food. Chinese and Thai dishes are also available. AC or open-air seating. Drinks served.
Ornaments of pearls.
নাগেরবাজার Nāgerbājār
A major shopping centre in Dum Dum, at the junction of Dum Dum Rd and Jessore Rd.
By train
The main line links Sealdah and Ranaghat, with a branch line to Bangaon, near the India-Bangladesh border.
By car
The two main roads leading into the area from Kolkata are Barrackpore Trunk Road and Jessore Road (NH 34).
By ferry
There are a set of parallel bridges across the Hooghly River - Vivekananda Setu and Nivedita Setu - between Dakshineswar and Bally. Between Naihati and Bandel, there only is a railway bridge.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Kolkata · International · CCU
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