French
DeutschMalda (মালদহ Māldoho or মালদা Māldā), officially English Bazar (Bengali: ইংরেজবাজার Ingrejbājār), is a city in the northern West Bengal.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Malda (Bengali: MAHL-daw-hoh or MAHL-dah) is an important junction and entry point to North Bengal from South Bengal, as well as a gateway to historic sites like Gour, Pandua and Jagjivanpur.
Malda town is officially called "English Bazar" (Ingrejbājār). The name is a corruption of the Persian name Angrezābād (انگریزآباد), meaning "English City". The name was due to the fact that the British built various factories across the Mahananda River in the 17th century. Over time, the Angrez part became Ingrej (ইংরেজ), and the ābād part became bājār (বাজার), as Bengali speakers often replace ābād with bājār in casual speech (ābād means "cultivation" in Bengali instead of a settlement). Eventually, the name got replaced with "Malda" after the district. This led to the original Malda town being called "Old Malda".
Visitor information
[edit | edit source]Official websites:
Get in
[edit | edit source]By train
[edit | edit source]- 1 Malda Town ER . All northbound trains stop at Malda Town. There are some direct trains from Malda Town; connecting Bangalore, Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Dibrugarh, New Delhi, Guwahati etc.
By bus
[edit | edit source]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.
- 2 NBSTC Malda Depot.
By ferry
[edit | edit source]Get around
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See
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- 1 Malda District Museum, Subhankar Bandh Road. The Museum dates back to 1937 and is under the West Bengal Directorate of Archaeology. The museum was 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.
- 2 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.
- 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.
- 3 Subhankar Sishu Udyan. There is a restaurant inside. You can also take a boat riding. ₹5 per person.
- 4 Manaskamana Mandir. Visit this pious Hindu Kali temple.
- 5 Ramkrishna Mission Ashram. You can visit the place during the evening, experience the chanting and the prayer.
Do
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
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- 1 Amarapali Tourism Property (Malda Tourist Lodge), Raibari, ☏ +91 97330 08792, tourismmalda@gmail.com. Run by West Bengal Tourism. ₹1,900–2,200.
- Hotel New Heaven (In front of State Bus Stand (NBSTC)), ☏ +91 3512 252735. Rooms ₹150-₹650.
- 2 Purbanchal, ☏ +91 3512 266 183. ₹250-₹650.
- 3 Continental Lodge, 22/21 KJ Sanyal Rd, ☏ +91 3512 251505, +91 3512 252388, +91 3512 253379.
- Hotel Landmark, ☏ +91 3512 221 184.
- 4 Hotel Chanakya, ☏ +91 3512 266 694.
- 5 Meghdoot Lodge, ☏ +91 3512 266 216.
- 6 Hotel Kalinga, ☏ +91 3512 283 567.
- 7 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.
Cope
[edit | edit source]- District Library. Read newspapers and local classifieds for free. The library is open from noon-7PM.
Go next
[edit | edit source]Within Malda district
[edit | edit source]Further afield
[edit | edit source]- Balurghat
- Murshidabad – about 140 km from Malda
- Siliguri – about 250 km from Malda
- Kolkata – about 347 km from Malda
| Routes through Malda |
Ends at  ← Raiganj ← | N  S | → Murshidabad → Krishnanagar |