# Malda

Malda (Bengali: মালদহ Māldaha), also known as English Bazar (Bengali: ইংরেজবাজার Iṁrejbājār), is a city in the northern plains of West Bengal. Because of its location, it is an important junction and entry point to Siliguri from the southern part of West Bengal. The river Ganges makes its entry into West Bengal near Manikchak in Malda district.

## Get in
### By train

Malda is well connected by railways and is covered by both ER and NFR. There are three railway stations in the city, including 25.016288.13021 Malda Town ER , 25.01129188.1627082 Malda Court NFR and 25.05317488.1437183 Old Malda Junction NFR .
All trains going to North Bengal stop at Malda Town railway station. There are some direct trains from Malda Town; connecting Bangalore, Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Dibrugarh, New Delhi, Guwahati etc.

### By bus

Malda town lies on National Highway 34, and all buses plying from Kolkata to Siliguri in the North will give a halt at Malda. By road it is 332 km away from Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal. Regular buses ply between Kolkata (Esplanade Depot) and Malda. Buses are operated by NBSTC, SBSTC and WBTC. There are Volvo and Night sleeper bus services between Kolkata and Siliguri. One can avail this service too to reach Malda or Raiganj.
* 24.997488.14244 NBSTC Malda Depot.

### By ferry

* 25.08144187.8991115 Manikchak Ghat (30 km (19 mi) from Malda town). Ferry service to Rajmahal, Jharkhand. (updated Oct 2022)

## See

* 24.99690388.1462751 Malda District Museum, Subhankar Bandh Road. The Museum dates back to 1937 and is under the West Bengal Directorate of Archaeology. The museum was initially started as a place of exhibits of artifacts found in the Malda district. The museum houses beautiful stone and bronze specimens dating back around 750 AD to 1200 AD. The exhibits include ancient coins, stone inscriptions, copper plate inscriptions, manuscripts, arms and weaponry of the medieval period. There are also ancient statues of Hindu gods and goddesses dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries. (updated Jun 2020)
* 25.03951888.1310642 Nimasarai Minar. Nimasarai Minar is a collapsed tower with projected spikes. Namasarai literally means halfway inn. It lies halfway between Gour and Pandua in Malda. The probably the place housed an inn in ancient town but no trace of it can be seen today. Only the collapsed portion of the tower stands. Although nothing much is known about the purpose of the tower but historians believe it was constructed as an indication tower for travellers. It was believed that lanterns were put up on top of the tower to guide travellers to the sarai. The projected spikes were probably used for hanging the served heads of executed criminals. The 500-year-old tower is said to be a replica of the Hiran Minar in Fatehpur Sikri. The tower stands on an octagonal base. The upper part of the slightly tapering tower has collapsed long ago. The structure is about 18 feet high and consists of two stories. The stories are marked with projected cornice. (updated Oct 2022)
* Johuratala Kali Bari - A century old temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. It is advisable to visit this temple with some time in hand, as the line to offer Puja gets pretty long.
* 24.9987688.146883 Subhankar Sishu Udyan. There is a restaurant inside. You can also take a boat riding. ₹5 per person. (updated Jul 2022)
* 24.9968888.146334 Manaskamana Mandir. Visit this pious Hindu Kali temple.
* 24.9956388.146375 Ramkrishna Mission Ashram. You can visit the place during the evening, experience the chanting and the prayer.

## Do

The folk culture of gombhira is a feature of Malda, being a unique way of representation of joy and sorrow in daily life of the common people, as well as the unique medium of presentation on national and international matters.

## Buy

Malda is famous for mango, it is called "mango city". Definitely buy mangoes if you are travelling to the city between April-June. There is a mango market beside University of Gour Banga. Mango pickle, jam and jelly are available in the two famous main shopping areas, Rathbari Market and Chittaranjan Market, throughout the year. Otherwise, there is nothing special about Malda but those who are very keen to buy something can look for Murshidabad silk. Those who are traveling by car can look for fresh vegetables, particularly extra-large brinjals.

## Eat

Some eateries in Malda are: Rajani Ganhdha (Continental Lodge), Purbanchal, Fiza (Kalinga Hotel), Rojgere Ginni (Chanakya Hotel), Payel restaurant.
Malda is famous for special varieties of mango that are available in summer. Also, there are two special variety of sweets available only in Malda, naming Kansat Chamcham and Rosokadamba. One can try Aamsattwa made from mango, the most famous being that made from Gopalbhog mango.

## Drink

Almost all brands of drinks are easily available. Quite a few liquor shops are available selling varieties of drinks. Normally drinks are available in the hotels but those who are particular about it should preferably carry it.

## Sleep

* Note: To avoid the unsavoury, corrupt, and thoroughly untrustworthy booking services based in Kolkata, it is best to get a place to stay on arrival without advance reservation.
* 25.002988.13631 Amarapali Tourism Property (Malda Tourist Lodge), ☏ +91 3512 220 123, +91 3512 220 991. Run by West Bengal Tourism. ₹1,100–2,200. (updated Jan 2025)
* Hotel New Heaven (In front of State Bus Stand (NBSTC)), ☏ +91 3512 252735. Rooms ₹150-₹650.
* 25.011588.14112 Purbanchal, ☏ +91 3512 266 183. ₹250-₹650.
* 24.997988.1423 Continental Lodge, 22/21 KJ Sanyal Rd, ☏ +91 3512 251505, +91 3512 252388, +91 3512 253379.
* Hotel Landmark, ☏ +91 3512 221 184.
* 25.00688.13754 Hotel Chanakya, ☏ +91 3512 266 694.
* 25.007888.13885 Meghdoot Lodge, ☏ +91 3512 266 216.
* 25.006388.13776 Hotel Kalinga, ☏ +91 3512 283 567.
* 25.011688.13547 Hotel Pratapaditya, Station Rd, ☏ +91 3512 268104. Check-out: 24 hrs.. up to ₹1,000.
* Zilla Parishad Atithi Niwas, ☏ +91 3512-252423.
* Youth Hostel (Under West Bengal Youth Service), ☏ +91 3512 252158.
* New Circuit House, ☏ +91 3512 252 330, fax: +91 3512 253 092, +91 3512 253 049.

## Stay safe

As it is a low lying basin, the area is prone to flood.

## Cope

* District Library. Read newspapers and local classifieds for free. The library is open from noon-7PM.

## Nearby

* 25.04118988.401961 Nandadirghi Vihar (Jagjivanpur). An archaeological site in the Jagjivanpur village. A chance discovery of a copper plate in 1987, with a royal seal on top, contains inscription on both sides in kharoshthi script. It was the charter of a hitherto unknown ruler called Mahendrapal Deva, of the Pala dynasty, who bequeathed a plot called Nandadirghik-odranga to his army chief Mahasenapati Vajradeva for building a Buddhist monastery to help his parents and the people, in general, attain religious merit. The discovery leads to an extensive excavation of the Tulabhita mound in Jagjivanpur. The excavation revealed a structure containing a sanctum sanctorum, bastions-cum-cells, balcony, steps, bathroom complex, well, courtyard and entrance. The archaeological findings suggest that the ruins were the remains of Nandadirghi Vihar, one of the leading centres of learning in the 9th Century AD. The 30m x 30m structure, maintained by the state archaeological department, is enclosed by barbed wire. The four corners of the square structure had four circular constructions, two of which exist to this day. Beautiful terracotta panels adorned the four walls. The panels have been removed to State Archaeological Museum in Behala, Kolkata. The structure has a courtyard in the middle, surrounded on all sides by two lines of square identical cells, which were probably used as students’ residences or classrooms. (updated Jun 2020)

## Go next

* Balurghat
* Murshidabad – about 140 km from Malda
* Siliguri – about 250 km from Malda
* Kolkata – about 347 km from Malda