Berachampa

Berachampa is in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, best known for Chandraketugarh, a 2,500-year old archaeological site.

Understand

The history of Berachampa dates back to almost the 3rd century BC, during the pre-Mauryan era. Chandraketugarh was once an important hub of international maritime trade. It is thought to be a part of the powerful Gangaridai nation mentioned in the ancient Greco-Roman accounts. According to the accounts, Gangaridai was a powerful kingdom whose war elephant forces led to the withdrawal of Alexander the Great from India. The site was later continuously inhabited and flourished through the dynasties of the Shungas, Kushanas, Guptas, Palas and Senas.

Get in

By bus

There are buses from Esplanade in Kolkata to Haroa, about 10 km (6.2 mi) from Berachampa. After reaching Haroa, take a bus to Berachampa.

By train

• 1 Harua Road railway station (4.5 km (2.8 mi) from Berachampa). (updated Sep 2022)

By plane

The nearest airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU ^IATA) at Kolkata, about 33 km (21 mi) from Berachampa.

Get around

Berachampa is a small town and you may take rickshaws for long distances, otherwise walking is preferable.

See and do

• 1 Baraha Mihirer Dhipi (Mound of Varahamihira, also known as Khana-Mihirer Dhipi). A mound associated with Varahamihira and Khana. Varahamihira was a famous astronomer and mathematician, and a jewel among Vikramaditya's Navaratna Sabha. It is widely believed that Khana was Varahamihira's daughter-in-law and an accomplished astrologer. However, at some point, either her husband, her father-in-law, a hired hand or possibly Khana herself, cut off her tongue to silence her prodigious talent. (updated Sep 2022)

Eat and drink

Although there are eateries in Berachampa, you should be better off carrying your own food instead.

Nearby

• 1 Chakla. Birthplace of Hindu saint Lokenath Brahmachari (1730–1890) and a famous religious site. (updated Dec 2022)

Go next

• Bangaon

Routes through Berachampa

Howrah ← Kolkata ←

W  E

→ Taki → Ends at