Haora

Haora is Kolkata's twin city. With a population of 1,008,704 (2001 census) it is the second largest city of West Bengal and functions as the headquarters of the Haora district. The city is an important industrial and trading center. Haora serves as a major rail and road transportation hub for the Kolkata metropolitan region. Like Kolkata, Haora has developed in a north south axis along the G.T. Road and the Andul Road.

Excursion
The Haora Bridge
The HaoraBridge is probably what symbolizes both Haora and Kolkata. It is the world' busiest bridge. It connects Haora Station, one of the country's largest railway stations, to Kolkata.

Haora Railway Station
Two important National Highways - NH-2 and NH-6 link Haora (and Kolkata) to the rest of the country. The busy Rabindra Setu or Haora Bridge connects the city to Kolkata's Burrabazar. A second bridge - the Vidyasagar Setu connects south Haora to the Kolkata Maidan. The Kona Expressway links Vidyasagar Setu to NH-2 and NH-6.

The Haora Railway Station is one of the largest in the world with rail connections to all major Indian cities and towns. Haora Station also serves as an important terminus for the suburban railway services of the Eastern and the South Eastern Railway.

Botanical Gardens
One of the main tourist attractions of the city is the Indian Botanical Gardens, in south Haora. The banyan tree here has one of the largest canopies in the world. Adjacent to the B. Garden is the Bengal Engineering College which is the country's second oldest technical institute and is a deemed university.

The Belur Math
The Belur Math, founded by Swami Vivekananda , the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission, is situated in Belur, north Haora. The complex has a several educational institutes and the famous Ramakrishna temple. Central Haora has an open area known as the Haora Maidan. It is the site of a small stadium, a swimming complex and a modern auditorium - Sarat Sadan. Haora Maidan is also the site of the Asia's largest weekly textile market known as the Mangla Haat.

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Getting There
The Haora district is not just accessible by air, rail and road but by water transport also.

By Air
Kolkata happens to be the nearest airport to Haora. The airport caters to the travel needs of the domestic as well as the foreign tourists.

By Rail
In terms of rail transport the Haora Railway Station - one of the largest railway terminals in the world, connects several major towns and cities of India to Haora.

By Road
The excellent road network links Haora with the other major destinations. The National Highways number 2 and 6 connect Haora with the rest of the country. For the transportation across the Hoogly River there are the Haora Bridge and the Vidyasagar Setu. The Vidyasagr Setu is often referred to as the Second Hoogly Bridge.

By Water
Besides these means of transportation the regular ferry services between the east and the west banks of the Hoogly River navigate the commuters.

Best Time To Visit
Though you may plan your visit to Haora any time of the year the months of the famous Durga Puja festival are the best time! The festival is celebrated in the month of September or October as per the religious calendar of the Hindus.

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