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Located on the banks of the Damodar River, the town of Bardhaman is the district headquarters. It was named after the 24th Jain monk, Tirthankar Mahavir Bardhaman. During the Mughal rule, its name used to be Sharifabad.The Curzon Gate, now known as Vijay Toran, was built in 1903, in dedication to Lord Curzon. The beautiful gateway is decorated with lights. 

In 1789, Rani Bishnukumari ordered 108 Shiva Mandirs to be built in the lines of typical mud huts of Bengal. During Shivratri, a huge fair is held here. 

The Golap Bag, or the Rose Garden, of Bardhaman, is a favourite tourist haunt. At present there are numerous mango, casuarina, eucalyptus, jaam and shimul trees in the garden. The University of Bardhaman also takes classes in the complex. An old hawamahal, a lake and a deer park are the other attractions of the Garden. 

The Science Centre of the University is also interesting. It offers insight into the animal kingdom, the environment, etc. Except for Mondays, the centre is open to visitors. 

How To Get There 
Regular train services to Bardhaman are available from Howrah and Sealdah stations. Two different routes - the chord line and the main line - are available from Howrah. 

Bardhaman is well-connected by buses to the towns of Asansol, Medinipur, Haldia, Malda and Digha. 

The town of Kalna, 82 km. from Calcutta, is one of the Shaktapiths. 
Popularised by the sage Bhaba Pagla, the Temple of Debi Bhabani holds a special puja on the last Saturday of the Bengali month of Baisakh. 

Close to it is Sri Gauranga Mandir. The temple complex houses Sri Chaitanya's manuscripts and personal belongings. 

A major landmark is the Siddheshwari Temple. It is dedicated to Debi Ambika, and it is after her that Kalna is also known as Ambika Kalna. 

A major attraction is the Nava Kailash or 108 Shiv Mandirs. Built in 1809, the temples are constructed in two circles. One consists of 74 temples while the other circle has 34. The former has white marble and black stone shivlingas, while the latter has only white marble ones. Due to its ingenious planning, all the shivlingas can be seen from the centre of the temple complex.

The Krishna Chandra Mandir, with its 25 steeples, is another popular landmark. Scenes from the epics are depicted on its terracotta walls. Doors remain closed from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

The first European settlement in West Bengal, Bandel still bears traces of its past. The main attraction here is the Church of our Lady of Bandel, the oldest church in Bengal. This Roman Catholic Church is one of eastern India's oldest churches, and still a major centre of Catholic pilgrimage. Consecrated by Portuguese Augustinian friars in 1599, it was destroyed by the Mughals during the brief reign of Shahjahan, and was rebuilt by the Portuguese in 1640. It was declared a basilica in 1988. 

The facade is built in the Doric architectural style of ancient Greece. Along with a cloistered courtyard, the church holds a grotto and a large hall devoted to St. Augustine. Inside there are beautiful paintings depicting scenes from the life of Jesus. A cross marks the spot, where an image known as Our Lady of Happy Voyages, which had been lost in the river during the siege, miraculously re-appeared some years later. The old cemetery next to the Church, where the mast of a boat stands as a flagstaff, sweeps down to the Hooghly River. This is a popular picnic spot, and boat rides on the river are also available. 

The Imambara, a Shia Muslim pilgrimage, is located two kilometres away from the Church, on the banks of the Hooghly River. It was built by Haji Mohammad Mohsin in 1861, at a cost of 2,75,000 rupees. The sundial in the garden is of interest to most visitors, and the 35-m. high clock tower offers a wonderful view. Inside the Imambara, the walls are adorned by quotes from the Koran, carved in marble. Muslim festivals, particularly Muharram, are celebrated every year with great splendour. 

Located at a distance of 37 km. from Calcutta, this former French colony is a beautifully laid out town on the banks of the Hooghly River. It was founded in 1688 by merging the three villages of Khalishani, Boro and Golondopara. Later it flourished as a port town in the hands of Governor Duplex. Chandannagar became free from French rule in 1949, and on the 2nd October, 1954, it became a part of West Bengal. 

The Institute de Chandannagar Museum and the Library, Convent, Church and Graveyard here are reminiscent of the colonial French era. The riverside strand is a nice place for a quiet walk.

The Rabindra Bhavan bears memories of the great poet. 

The Nandadulal and Devi Bhuvaneswari temples are also worth a visit. 

The greatest attraction of Chandannagar, however, is the annual four-day festival of Jagaddhatri Puja. The town lights up in all its festive gaiety, and people from far and near gather in huge numbers to see the beautiful idols of the goddess, some of which are 6 to 9 m. high. Chandannagar is famous for the innovative lighting that adorn the festivities. 

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