India Kolkata Howrah Bridge
Howrah Bridge

Howrah Bridge

Kolkata, India

Rating: 9/10
Best time to visit: days
Recommended time to spend: 2 hr
Activities to do:
  • Enjoy street food stalls near the bridge.
  • Take a ferry ride for unique views of the bridge.
  • Visit the nearby Mallick Ghat flower market.
Known for:
architecturehistoryphotographyriver-view
Description:

The Howrah Bridge, officially known as the Rabindra Setu, is a cantilever bridge spanning the Hooghly River in West Bengal, India. It connects the twin cities of Howrah and Kolkata (Calcutta). The bridge is one of the busiest cantilever bridges in the world and is a famous symbol of Kolkata and India.

History:

The desire for a bridge connecting Howrah and Kolkata dates back to the mid-19th century. Construction of the current bridge began in 1936, was delayed by World War II, and finally completed in 1943. It was originally named the New Howrah Bridge, replacing a pontoon bridge at the same location. In 1965, it was renamed Rabindra Setu after the great Bengali polymath Rabindranath Tagore.