Malda, West Bengal City Guide: Where To Go, Stay, Eat, And shop in India’s best city. [Updated-2025]

Malda, West Bengal City Guide: Where To Go, Stay, Eat, And shop in India’s best city. 

Malda, West Bengal

Malda, also known as Mango City, is a historically significant city in West Bengal. It serves as the administrative headquarters of Malda district and is famous for its mango production, silk industry, and historical sites. The city is a major commercial and educational hub in North Bengal, with a rich cultural heritage dating back to the Bengal Sultanate and Mughal era.

1. Location & Geography

• Situated in northern West Bengal, along the banks of the Mahananda and Kalindi rivers.
• Borders Jharkhand, Bihar, and Bangladesh, making it a key trade center.
• Lies on NH-12 (Old NH-34), connecting Kolkata to North Bengal and the Northeast.

2. Economy & Industries

• Mango Industry:
  • Malda is famous for varieties like Langra, Fazli, and Himsagar, contributing to a major export market.
• Silk & Handloom:
  • Known for its Murshidabad silk and cotton textiles.
• Agriculture:
  • Apart from mangoes, Malda produces jute, rice, wheat, and pulses.
• Trade & Commerce:
  • A growing wholesale market hub for agricultural and industrial products.

3. Education & Institutions

• University of Gour Banga (UGB) – The main university in Malda.
• Malda Medical College & Hospital (MMCH) – The primary medical education and healthcare facility.
• Kendriya Vidyalaya Malda, Malda Zilla School, and private CBSE/ICSE schools provide quality education.

4. Tourist & Historical Attractions

• Gour & Pandua – Ancient capital cities of Bengal with ruins of mosques, temples, and forts.
• Firoz Minar – A Mughal-style victory tower, similar to the Qutub Minar.
• Adina Mosque – One of the largest mosques in India, built by Sultan Sikandar Shah.
• Malda Museum – Showcases archaeological artifacts from the Bengal Sultanate and Mughal era.
• Dakhil Darwaza – A grand gateway from the 14th century, part of the old capital Gour.

5. Connectivity & Transport

• By Road: Well-connected via NH-12, linking it to Kolkata (325 km), Siliguri, and Assam.
• By Rail: Malda Town Railway Station (MLDT) is a major rail junction on the Howrah-New Jalpaiguri route.
• By Air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport (260 km away), with a proposed airport planned for Malda.