Howrah: Rivers, winter birds and cultural heritage

Howrah lies on the western bank of the Hooghly, opposite the city of Kolkata. Religious and literary sites, a botanical garden, winter migratory birds and river landscapes offer different ways to shape a trip here. At Gadiara, the Hughli, Rupnarayan and Damodar meet; elsewhere, historic buildings or distinctive landscapes are the main draw for visitors.

Temples, literature and history

Belur Math was founded in 1897 by Swami Vivekananda and is the worldwide headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Opening hours are 6:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. For planning your day, it is important to note that there are two separate visiting periods. As opening hours can change, it is advisable to check the current schedule before your visit.

Another historic site is Saratchandra Kuthi, also called Sarat Smriti Mandir. The house museum is in the village of Samata Bera on the bank of the Rupnarayan River in Howrah district, and was the home of Bengali writer Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. As a historic site, it is protected under the West Bengal Heritage Commission Act of 2001 (IX). Its literary heritage and legal protection status are part of the same place; its designation as a house museum makes it a distinctive destination for travelers interested in literary history.

Architectural history can also be seen in various places. Bhot Bagan Math in Ghusuri, Howrah, was the first Tibetan Buddhist temple in the plains of India. The Mandal family’s Damodar Temple stands in the village of Jhikira in Howrah district and was built in 1769. Andul Rajbari is a historic heritage site in Andul, also in Howrah district. These destinations offer different ways to explore history: religious buildings, an 18th-century temple and a heritage site in Andul.

The Railway Museum in Howrah was established in 2006 to showcase the history of railways in eastern India. Together with Saratchandra Kuthi, it broadens the view of Howrah with two other kinds of history: that of a literary home and that of the railway region in eastern India.

Gardens, a lake and seasonal birdlife

The Indian Botanical Garden features rare plants and has a collection of more than 12,000 specimens. One of its well-known features is a 250-year-old banyan tree. The extensive collection and ancient tree give this place a botanical focus that sets it apart from Howrah’s religious and historic destinations.

Santragachhi Jheel is a large lake next to Santragachhi railway station. In winter, especially in December and January, it attracts many migratory birds. If birdlife is a priority for your trip, this is the key seasonal consideration. The garden, in turn, offers a different aspect of nature, with its plant collection and banyan tree.

The Damodar flows alongside Garchumukh Deer Park. The park is in Howrah district, within the Shyampur-1 administrative block, and picnicking is possible there. The combination of park and river makes this place different from the botanical collections and the lake at Santragachhi.

Rivers and places to spend time outdoors

At Gadiara, the Hughli, Rupnarayan and Damodar rivers meet. A sunset river cruise is a tourist activity there, and Gadiara is also a picnic spot in Howrah district. The river landscape, picnicking and evening activity combine to give this place a different travel focus from the historic sites or botanical garden.

When choosing a hotel in Howrah, it may help to first decide what your trip will focus on: literature and architectural history, gardens and seasonal birdlife, or river destinations. Santragachhi Jheel is about a 650-meter walk, or around seven minutes, from Santragachi Junction railway station. Andul Rajbari is about a 15-minute walk of 1.2 kilometers from Andul railway station. Both are approximate guide figures; routes may change. Check the current route before planning your visit.

Explore more destinations: Chakpara, Birbhum, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Bardhaman, Cooch Behar, North 24 Parganas.

Return to the main travel overview: West Bengal.