Azimganj & Jiaganj

আজিমগঞ্জ ও জিয়াগঞ্জ

Murshidabad district · Heritage Bengal

Twin river towns of merchant mansions and Jain temples.

About Azimganj & Jiaganj

Facing each other across the Bhagirathi a little north of Murshidabad, these towns were built by the Sheherwali Jain merchant families who banked the Nawabs. They left mansions with European façades and a cluster of ornate Jain temples. A short way upriver, the Char Bangla temples of Baranagar, built by Rani Bhabani in the eighteenth century, have some of the finest terracotta in Bengal.

Highlights

Jain temples of Azimganj and Jiaganj
Old merchant mansions along the river
The Char Bangla terracotta temples at Baranagar
The ferry between the two towns

Plan your trip

Best time: October to March.
How to reach: Azimganj Junction and Jiaganj have trains from Howrah and Sealdah (about 5 hours); about 20 km from Murshidabad town.
Suggested stay: 1 to 2 days, with Murshidabad
Distance from Kolkata: About 230 km by road
Travel time: 5 hours
Nearest railway station: Azimganj Junction or Jiaganj
Budget: Mid-range

Nearby and related destinations

Murshidabad: The last independent Nawabi capital of Bengal. (about 210 km from Kolkata, nearest station Murshidabad or Berhampore Court)
Malda: Gaur & Pandua: Ruined medieval capitals of Bengal. (about 330 km from Kolkata, nearest station Malda Town)
Cooch Behar: A princely state and its European-style palace. (about 700 km from Kolkata, nearest station New Cooch Behar)
Kulik Bird Sanctuary: One of Asia’s great stork colonies. (about 400 km from Kolkata, nearest station Raiganj)

Part of these guides

Distances and travel times are approximate road figures from central Kolkata. Check timings, permits and road conditions before you travel.