Malda (Gour) | West Bengal |

Malda (Gour) | West Bengal |

If you are in the mood to revisit your roots, Malda is the picture perfect place for you. Located at the confluence of the rivers Mahanadi and Kalindi, in the interiors of West Bengal, about 350 km from Kolkata, the charming town of Malda is popular not only for its mango orchards but also for its rich history and heritage. Malda literarily has Indian History written into every street and every corner of the city Mango, silk and jute are popular products of the district. Mulberry plantations and mango orchards occupy a large area.

From the Pre-colonial Nawabs to the East India company, Malda enthralls you with visual splendor. Along with history, it also bears the foot prints of religion and beliefs that India has always been living with. Formerly known as the English Bazaar, this town has experienced the reign of three dynasties- the Palas, the Senas and the Nawabs.  The different reigns coupled with varying cultures, religions and traditions intensified the charm of the small town as we see today. Scattered with numerous monuments, Malda is one of the most historically relevant cities in Bengal. The folk culture of Malda comprising of 'Gombhira' and 'Kaviyal' is another major attraction of the region.

Visiting Places

Dakhil Darwaza

A very important monument, located in Gaur, Dakhil Darwaza is a surviving ruin of an old castle from the 15th century. The gate itself is a gateway to a fort. It’s 8 km from city center. In the south-east corner of the fort, high wall encloses the ruins of an old palace. The gate is also popularly known as Salaami Darwaza as cannons used to be fired from it.

Gour

If you wish to explore the rich and diverse history of Bengal, Gour is the place for you. Located along the banks of the holy river Ganges, this is one of the oldest residential colonies existing in the state. Although the place is now in ruins, its unique history and magnificent architecture are more than enough to attract tourism from places far and wide. This settlement was the capital of ancient Bengal and was also a center of political and state affairs relating to the realm. It’s 8 km from city center.

Believed to have been discovered by Lord Lakshman, this town was earlier called Lakshmanavati. When Muslims conquered the state, its name changed to Lakhnauti. The records relating to the life and times of Gour can be traced back to 1198, which was around the time when Muslims had taken over the state.
This destination has quite a number of ancient monuments and their ruins within its perimeter. The most popular ones include Bada Darwaza, Eunuchs' Mosque, Tantipar Mosque, Dakhil Darwaza, Kadam Rasut Mosque and Firoz Minar. Tucked away in the lap of lush greenery, this is the perfect place to discover and rediscover history!

Firoz Minar

The Minar is located a kilometer away from the Dakhil Darwaza. Built during Sultan Saifuddin Feroze Shah's rule, this five-storey tower is often touted as Malda's Qutab Minar. It’s 15 km from city center. The first three storeys of the tower have twelve adjacent faces each, and the uppermost two storeys are circular in shape. The tourists can take the flight right up till the top of the tower. It is built in the Tughlaqi style of architecture and is also known as the Pir-Asha-Minar or the Chiragdani.

Chamkati Masjid Chika Mosque

Sultan Yusuf Shah built the Mosque in 1475. The name has a very unique origin. It is called the Chika Mosque because it sheltered a number of Chikas i.e. bats. It’s 16 km from city center. In addition to beautiful Arabic carvings, which are still partly visible, the mosque also bears Hindu temple architecture, adding to its uniqueness.

Jauhra Kali Mandir

Amongst the plethora of Muslim Relics, Malda also has a famous Hindu Temple - The Temple of Jauhra Kali. The temple is beautiful, made on a raised platform and surrounded by trees. It’s 1 km from city center.

Jauhura Kali Mandir

Maa Kali

Devotees believe to have had miraculous results from praying in the temple. Even otherwise, the beautiful brown temple and its simple architecture is sure to catch your eye.

Adina Dear Park

About 20 km off Malda is the Adina Deer Park. The park is an excellent place to witness numerous deer in their natural habitat. Cheetals or Spotted Deer and Nilgai are the two most famous species here. It’s 15 km from city center. The park is governed by the forest department and also serves as a home for numerous migratory birds.

Adina Mosque

Adina Mosque bears a strong resemblance to the Great Mosque of Damascus as it consists of bricks designed with stones. Built by Sikandar Shah in the 14th century, the second sultan of the Ilyas dynasty, the Adina Mosque was the largest mosque in India at the time. It’s 16 km from city center. A lot of natural calamities have damaged it but haven't been able to take away its marvelous glory. It is often said that the mosque was built by the king to commemorate his victory over the then king of Delhi - Firoz Shah Tughluq.

Malda Museum

Located off Bandh road, the Malda Museum preserves the architectural and anthropological samples of the region dating back to 1500 year old artifacts. It’s 2 km from city center.

Baroduari Mosque

The Baroduari Mosque is the largest in Malda. The Mosque's name, literally means 12 doors, though it has only eleven. The mosque was started by Allauddin Hussein Shah, but he died before its completion. It’s 14 km from city center. The construction was later completed by his son, Nasiruddin Nusrat Shah. The mosque was the first of its kind, built in Arabic style architecture.

Jagjibanpur

Situated about 35 km off Malda town, Jagjivanpur, which is now an important archeological sight was a long forgotten place until the discovery of a copper-plate inscription of the Pala emperor Mahendrapaladeva and the structural remains of a 9th-century Buddhist Vihara - Nandadirghika-Udranga Mahavihara. Excavation work has been carried out and old remains of an entire ruined city have been found ever since.

Kadam Rasul Mosque

Kadam Rasul Mosque derives its name from the stone tablet, which bears the footprints of Prophet Muhammad, kept in the mosque. The mosque was built in 1530 by Sultan Nasiruddin Nusrat Shah. It’s 16 km from city center. The thing that makes this mosque stand out are the four black marble towers on its four corners. Opposite to the mosque is Fateh Khan's tomb, a commander of the Aurangzeb army. Ironically, the tomb is made in Hindu Chala style.

Eklakhi Mausoleum

One of the most breathtaking sites of Pandua Malda, this tomb is truly one of a kind. It has an inscription of Lord Ganesh and a converted son of a Hindu Emperor is believed to have been buried here.It’s 16 km from city center.

Luko Churi Gate

The Lakhchhipi Darwaza or Lukochuri Gate is built on the South East corner of the Kadam Rasool Mosque. Shah Shuja is believed to have built this imposing structure back in 1655 in the Mughal architectural style. It’s 16 km from city center. The name is derived from the game of hide & seek that the king used to play with his begums. However, who built this structure is unclear. Another school of historians claim that it was built by Allauddin Hussein Shah in 1522 and this double-storeyed Darwaza operated as the main gateway to the palace.

Lattan Mosque

A lot of tales surround the construction of this mosque. However, historians believe it was built by Sultan Shamsuddin Yusuf Shah in 1475. The structure was originally built with intricate work of precious stones and colors. It’s 17 km from city center. Some of the past remnants are still visible. Due to its once colorful demeanor, the Mosque is popularly called the Painted Mosque. The mosque has an arched roof, supported by octagonal pillars.

How to reach

By road: Malda has easy road access. Located on NH 34, Malda is about 350 km away from Kolkata. If you do not want to hire an exclusive cab, then a bus can easily be taken for a nominal rent of under Rs.150. North Bengal State transport runs daily buses from nearby places to Malda.

By rail: Malda Town is the main railway station, lending Malda excellent connectivity, not just with nearby places like Kolkata, but also Delhi and Mumbai. Trains are pretty regular, but they do not run on a daily basis.

Local transport: The intracity transport, especially travelling between old Malda and New Malda (English Bazaar), is maintained by city run transport facilities. The rates are fixed by the municipality so you need not worry about haggling or being cheated. Also along with autos and rickshaws, intra city bus route is also widespread.

Best time to visit

October, November and March are the best months to visit Malda. Malda experiences a very hot summer and overflowing monsoons. Though summertime doesn't have any issues, the heat may get overwhelming. Monsoon showers are very frequent and often disruptive. Hence, the early winter and early spring season are the ideal time, owing to the comfortable climate and picturesque backdrop. Winters might also serve as a good time to visit, but only if you're a winter climate lover.

Where To Stay

There are many hotels & guest house in Malda in affordable price. You can easily find them from many online booking sites.