In the northern fringes of Kolkata, the pilgrimage trio of Dakshineswar, Belur Math and Baranagar is extremely important. Connected by the Hooghly, all three spots may be covered using the jetty service across the Hooghly. Baranagar, in itself, has a number of factories and industries located within. However, the main pilgrimage spots within Baranagar include Kancher Mandir, Path Bari and Joy Mitra Kali Bari; other places to visit are Jay Mitra Kalibari, Pramanick Kalibari, and Kouleswar Mandir. Although some parts of Baranagar are accessible by car, the temples are situated on narrow roads that are best navigated using Haathgadis or man-drawn carriages. One can hire a haathgadi outside the jetty stop; a small stall with a lady selling Parota Channa at the jetty stop is a must-try for a home-cooked Bengali food experience.
British Council Library (BCL) is known to be one of the finest libraries that have made their mark all across India. This one at Kolkata is buzzing with activity and goes beyond just a library. With examination counseling, services to holding cultural events, it is a favorite amongst book lovers. Be it books, DVDs or music CDs, their collection is wide and diverse. You can even sample the music CDs at their 'listening posts'. All in all, a lovely place to browse, borrow or simply unwind with some good read. Visit website for more information.