95 km. by rail from Howrah is Bardhaman, turned to Burdwan by the British. Bardhaman was named after the famous Jaina Tirthanakara Bardhaman who started his preachings from here, though it is said that the history of the place dates back to the era of Alexander the Great.

Suleman Karrani founded a fort here in 1567. During seventeenth century, a tradesman came here from Punjab. His family gradually became the Jamindars of Bardhaman. Curzon Gate, renamed Vijay Toran, was built in 1903. The royal palace now houses the Girls' College and the University. The tomb of Sher Afghan at Pir Baharani, Kamalakanta Kalibari at Borhat, Kankali Kali at Kanchannagar, Bardhamaneswar Siva within the premises of the town attract visitors.

4 km. northwest to the town is a group of temples - 108 Siva temples built by Rani Bishnukumari during eighteenth century. Bardhaman is all the more famous for its special variety of sweets - Sitabhog and Mihidana. Frequent local trains from Calcutta as well as regular buses.

Places Of Interest

Durgapur

Known as the Ruhr of Eastern India, Durgapur is only 161 km. from Calcutta. Several government and non-government industries are at Durgapur. Within easy reach of the rich belt of coal and iron ore, Durgapur was built with an investment of Rs. 600 crores in mid - fifties. It is estimated to have the highest per capita income and the highest concentration of first generation industrial labour in the country. Besides there is the Durgapur Barrage of the Damodar Valley Corporation, This 692 metre Barrage serves agricultural land through 2480 km. canalways. The township is beautiful with gardens, toy trains, deer park and a lake. Durgapur is connected directly with Calcutta by rail and road.

Asansol

In between Chittaranjan and Durgapur is Asansol. These three points are interconnected by rail and road. A major industrial centre amidst the coal belt. 4 km. from here is Bumpur, another industrial town. 11 km. from Asansol is Churulia, the birthplace of Poet Kazi Najrul Islam. 35 km. from here is Maithan, the site of a beautiful dam over the river Barakar.

25 km. from Asansol, 67 km. from Durgapur, 130 km from Burdwan and 225 km. From Calcutta is Chittaranjan. Connected by rail and road. The Principal attraction is the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works besides a beautiful landscape.

Kalna

Connected by rail with Calcutta as well as by bus. Ambika Kalna is a centre of pilgrimage for both the Shaktas and the Vaishnavas. Points of attraction include the Bhavani temple of Bhaba Pagla.the Gowranga temple, 108 Siva temples and the 25 dome three temples with terracotta ornamentation. The temples remain closed between I and 4 p.m. There is a hotel for nightstay.