National Library of India
জাতীয় গ্রন্থাগার
Also known as Belvedere Estate.
The country’s largest library, in the grounds of Belvedere House.
About National Library of India
Belvedere House was the residence of the Lieutenant-Governors of Bengal, and before that was associated with Warren Hastings. After Independence the Imperial Library moved here and became the National Library, the largest in India, entitled to a copy of every book published in the country. The colonnaded house stands in a 30-acre estate of lawns and old trees.
Why visit
Grand colonial architecture and one of the calmest reading rooms in the country.
What to see and do
- Belvedere House and its staircase
- The lawns and tree-lined drive
- The reading rooms, for members and day visitors
Plan your visit
- Area
- Alipore, South Kolkata
- Nearest landmark
- Belvedere Road, opposite the zoo
- Best time
- Morning or afternoon. October to March is the most comfortable time of year.
- Time needed
- About 50 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Entry
- Entry is controlled (permit, caretaker, service times or event days). A working library. Reading rooms need a pass; visitor access to the grounds and heritage building, and the hours, are not currently verified.
- Metro
- Jatin Das Park (Blue Line), then a bus or taxi
- Walking
- Little walking
- Photography
- Photography is restricted.
Tip
Reading rooms need a reader’s pass and photo ID. The grounds and exterior can be seen more easily.
Nearby and related places
- Alipore Zoological Garden: India’s oldest formally established zoo, opened in 1875.
- Alipore Jail Museum: The old central jail, where freedom fighters were held, turned into a museum.
- Agri-Horticultural Society Gardens: A walled garden founded by William Carey’s society, known for winter flower shows.
- Balwant Singh’s Eating House: A Punjabi dhaba from 1926 that serves tea from before dawn.
- Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick: A Bhawanipur sweet shop since 1885, known for baked rosogolla and nolen gur sweets.
- Kalighat Patuapara: The south’s own idol-makers’ lane, near the temple.
More guides
- Places in Alipore
- Heritage places in Kolkata
- Markets and shopping streets
- Free places to visit in Kolkata
- Things to do on a rainy day
- Places near a metro station
- All places to visit in Kolkata
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.