Bhim Chandra Nag

ভীম চন্দ্র নাগ

An 1826 sweet shop, home of the ledikeni.

About Bhim Chandra Nag

One of the oldest sweet shops in Kolkata, founded in 1826 in Bowbazar. The shop is credited with creating the ledikeni, a fried, syrup-soaked sweet named for Lady Canning, wife of the Governor-General, in the 1850s. A clock on the wall with Bengali numerals, made for the shop by the London firm Cooke & Kelvey, is as famous as the sandesh.

Why visit

Sweets with a provable two-century history.

What to see and do

Ledikeni
Sandesh in old moulds
The Bengali-numeral clock

Plan your visit

Area: Bowbazar & Old Chinatown, Central Kolkata
Nearest landmark: Bowbazar, on Nirmal Chandra Street
Best time: Morning or evening. October to March is the most comfortable time of year.
Time needed: About 15 minutes
Cost: Usually under ₹100 a head
Entry: Open to everyone: a street, ghat, market or park you can walk into.
Metro: Central (Blue Line), about 10 minutes’ walk
Walking: Little walking
Photography: Photography is fine with some care.

Nearby and related places

Firingi Kalibari: The Kali temple linked to a Portuguese-descended poet of Bengali song.
College Street (Boi Para): A kilometre of book stalls between the city’s oldest colleges.
Tiretta Bazaar Chinese Breakfast: Momos, pork buns and fish-ball soup sold on the pavement at dawn.
Sea Ip Church: A Chinese clan temple from 1905, called a church.
Toong On Church: A red-brick Chinese temple that once housed the city’s first Chinese restaurant.
Bow Barracks: A lane of red-brick blocks, home to an Anglo-Indian community and its Christmas.

Walks that include it

Food Heritage Trail: Chinese breakfast to biryani, by way of ledikeni and rosogolla

More guides

Last checked on 2026-10-02. Each place was checked to exist and its position confirmed. Timings, closing days and ticket prices are shown only where known and can change: confirm before you travel.