Bardhaman | West Bengal |
"For the believer and the skeptic and the
historian and the nature lover"
With a convergence of religion, nature, man-made marvels
and the proverbial old world charm, Bardhaman is the ideal fit for a weekend
getaway. Take a group comprising the most diverse people. Even
with nothing else being common, they will all agree on one thing- Bardhaman's
Splendor. Perhaps the only place in India that will manage to appease every
mind and mindset, this Unique Bengali town has an air of its own.
Best Time To Visit
Surprisingly, Bardhaman doesn't see very
harsh temperatures in any part of the year. The summers are warm, and winters
are cool. However, the temperature never gets unbearable. The worst in summers
is well below 35 degrees Celcius and the lowest in winters is never below 10
degrees Celcius. Still, it being a holiday, you should get to experience the
best weather. Hence, the ideal time is from November to March, excluding
January and February.
How to Reach
Bardhaman
Bardhaman is well connected to the rest of
India by both rail and road. Regular rail and bus services ply to and fro the
city of Bardhaman, buses being operated both by private and government owners,
especially the West Bengal State Road Transport Corporation. Owing to the
absence of a proper, commercial airport, the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
International Airport in Kolkata, 102 km away from Bardhaman, is the nearest
airport that connects Bardhaman to the rest of India. The main Howrah-Delhi
railway track also passes through Bardhaman.
By Road
NH 2 runs through the city. Bardhaman has a very easy and
well-planned road route. The two main bus stands are Alisha Bus Stand and
Nababhat Bus Stand. Regular buses connect Bardhaman to all parts of West
Bengal. Some of them even have interstate connecting services.
By Train
Unlike an airport, Bardhaman has its own railway station.
The Bardhaman Railway Station connects Bardhaman to all major parts of the
country. Trains can be taken from New Delhi and Mumbai. The main Howrah-Delhi
railway track also passes through Bardhaman. You can take a local train from
Howrah and reach Bardhaman in 2 hours.
Local Transport in Bardhaman
Travelling in the city is mostly done using cabs and,
occasionally, buses. The most easy and cheaply available mode of transport is
the battery operated rickshaws. The state division also has state run buses
covering most of the city. But once you get down at a place, going to nearby
places on foot is not only easy, it's also feasible.
Place Of Interest
108 Shiv
Mandir
Perhaps the most unique and enticing structure in all of
Bardhaman, the reason it's known as 108 Shiv Temple is because there literally
are 108 small temples contracted side by side in a beautiful vertical pattern.
The temples are located in Nawabhat which was once famous for the battles of
the Pathans and Mughals. The best and the most crowded time to see these
temples is during Shivratri when the entire place is lit up with lights and
decorations.
Christ
Church
The red brick church was built back in 1816 under the
supervision of Captain Charles Stuart of the East India Company. The ancient
church is still very well maintained, set in the midst of a well trimmed
courtyard. The Church also has picked styles from British Architecture.
Golap
Bagh
The Gopal Bagh which literally means the garden of roses
is arguably the most beautiful tourist place in Bardhaman. It is the Botanical
and Zoological garden established by the King Bijoy Chand Mahatab in 1884. The
place is believed to have nearly 150 different types of trees including mango,
casuarina, eucalyptus, jaam and shimul. The place is full of structures, statues
and beautifully landscaped areas. If you plan to visit Golap Bagh, then you
should keep a few hours free.
Rajbati
Rajbati or Mahatabmanjil was built by Mahatab Chand
Bahadur, back in in 1851.The imposing building houses the administrative office
of the Bardhaman University. Maharajdhiraj Uday Chand Women's College and the
settlement office lie on the sides. Rajbati. When it was originally unveiled,
it was the most beautiful building in all of Bhardaman. The charm is still very
much intact.
Krishnasayar
Park and Lake
In 1691, the then king of Bhardam constructed a huge
artificial lake.-Krishnasayar on nearly 33 acres of land. Later an equally
beautiful park was built around it by the Krishasayar trustee board.
Competitions, Fairs and Carnivals are often held at the lake. Even otherwise,
you can have a rowing experience at the lake or enjoy various flower or art
exhibitions. The lake also has an aquarium with tens of fish varieties.
The Deer
Park
The Deer Park is Bardhaman's very own
mini dose of Wildlife. The park is numerous animals including deer, birds,
leopards and tigers. The place also has a guest house if you wish to spend the
night.
Kankeleshwari
Kalibari
This amazingly intricate structure of Goddess Kali is
located in Brishnu Mandir in Kanchan Nagar. The goddess Chamunda is depicted
through this sculpture. Made from precious stones and black rocks, the
structure is so finely detailed that even the veins running through her many
hands look real. The sculpture is also believed to be a symbol of the continuity
of life as its made from the stones found on Damoder riverbed after the
devastating floods of 1923.
Meghna
Saha Planetarium
Inaugurated in 1994, the planetarium has a unique story.
it was built by a Japanese Optical Company with assistance from the Japanese
and Indian governments. Located at G.T Road, the planetarium has numerous
automated models at display. If travelling with children, then this is the one
place that combines leisure with education.
Sarbamangala
Temple
The temple is highly revered by the natives of Bardhaman.
It is also believed that the Goddess fulfills every wish of an earnest heart.
This temple situated in Sarbamangala Road. Sarbamangala is actually Goddess
Durga in a different form. Another very interesting feature of the temple is
that the statue of the goddess and the surrounding temple were built a few
decades apart. The goddess was established in 1740 A.D. by the king Kirti Chand
while the temple structure was built by king Mahatab Chand.
Science Centre,
Bardhaman
Another endeavor by the University of Burdwan, along with
the Central and State Governments, the science centre is the classic spectacle
of scientific evolution. numerous display along with interesting classes and
seminars are arranged over here. The planetarium is located near the front gate
of the Burdhaman University. This center is open for all from 11.30 am to 7 pm.
Tomb of
Sher Afghan
Numerous tales surround Sher Afghan Khan, his rise to
power and eventual demise. Sher Afghan Khan who was the 'tuyuldar' of Bardhaman
during Mughal Emperor Jahangir's rule was accused of having conspired with
Afghans against the king. He was eventually killed in this confrontation and
his wife, Mehrunissa, famously known as Nur Jahan, who was believed to have
been extremely beautiful eventually married the King himself. His tomb is one
of the most popular sights in Bardhaman. The tomb of Qutbuddin is adjacent to
that of Sher Afghans.
Damoder
Riverside
The city of Bardhaman is located on the banks of River
Damodar. Tourists can sit on the banks of the river and enjoy a picnic or they
can hire a boat and enjoy the gentle waves, especially on a pleasant day. But
if you are in Bhardaman for a short while, the river is one of the few things
you can consider skipping.
Curzon
Gate
The majestic Curzon Gate was famously erected in 1903, by
the king of Burdwan Maharaja Bijoy Chand Mahatab to celebrate Lord Curzon's
visit. Though it is just an archway towering over the road, the majestic
structure will easily grab your attention, especially at night. The Royal
Palace is situated one km from the gate.
Kalyaneshwari
Temple
Located on Grand Trunk road, a few km off Barakar,
this beautiful temple dedicated to Goddess Kali has a unique story of its own.
Built around many decades ago, the temple is believed to have been a haven for
dacoits, where they stayed and also offered prayers. The temple complex has
many shops selling flowers, incense sticks and other things you may need for
the pooja. The beautiful temple has been preserved in its simple original form
with minimal renovation. The temple is also believed to fulfill wishes for
offspring of childless women.Where To Stay
There are many hotels & guest house in Bardhaman in affordable price. You can easily find them from many online booking sites.
Very informative. Like this.
ReplyDelete