Asansol

Asansol (AH-shahn-shohl) is an important mining and industrial centre in Eastern India. Over the years, Asansol grew considerably with the growth of coal mining, development of railways and growth of the steel plant of IISCO (Indian Iron and Steel Company) in Burnpur.

Hired cars, auto-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available. Nobody goes by meters and so be sure to check about the hire charges before boarding.

• 🌍 Bishnu Temple, Garui. This stone temple is built over a platform with a Bengal hut-shaped roof and arched entrance. The temple dates to about 14th century CE. A stone, called "Narayan shila", is worshipped here as the deity of the temple. Earlier, a 12 armed Lokeswar Vishnu idol was being worshipped as deity, which has been stolen long before. The temple is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). (updated Nov 2023)
• 🌍 Ghaghar Burhi Temple. A small shrine dedicated to Goddess Kali, it is the oldest temple of Asansol. (updated Nov 2022)
• 🌍 IISCO Steel Plant, Burnpur. Operated by Steel Authority of India (SAIL), the IISCO Steel Plant is one of the major steel plants in West Bengal. (updated Aug 2022)
• 🌍 Susanta Ray Wax Museum. (updated Aug 2022)
• 🌍 Vidyasagar Art Gallery. (updated Aug 2022)

• 🌍 Manoj Talkies. You can watch all newly released movies here. Good cinema hall; one of the biggest with a seating capacity of almost 1800. 
• 🌍 Nehru Park, Burnpur (14 km (8.7 mi) from Asansol railway station). A beautiful park on the banks of the Damodar River. A cast iron statue of Nehru, casted by IISCO, is in the park. There is an eatery in the park. There's a big pond inside the park with boating facilities. You can get great views of the Biharinath Hill from the park. (updated Dec 2022)
• Panifala (about 7 km from city centre), ☏ +91 9932133154. A picnic spot with a lake for boating and beautiful garden of flowers. 
• 🌍 Rabindra Bhawan. (updated Aug 2022)
• 🌍 Satabdi Park (2 km (1.2 mi) from Asansol railway station). There are facilities for paddle boating and a few rides for children. Nice place to spend the evening. 

Asansol is one of the big markets in West Bengal. There are many shops for buying clothes, electronic goods, sports accessories etc.

• 🌍 Galaxy Mall. One of the malls in Asansol, giving you access to almost all leading brands. Eylex Multiplex in Galaxy Mall is Asansol's first multiplex with a comfortable movie experience. 
• 🌍 Sentrum Mall. (updated Jul 2022)

Many of the larger hotels have bars and restaurants. Most of clubs in the area have the colonial old world charm but entry is restricted to members and their guests.

• Arpan, Burnpur Road, ☏ +91 341-2252007. Adjacent to Chitra Cinema. It has a bar.. 
• 🌍 Gangar Hotel, Court Compound. Dhaba type. No pretensions of luxury. Delicious Bengali food - dal-aloobhaja must try; fish range from rui and chital maachh to ilish and varieties of chhoto maachh; those who like can also order mangsho or dimer dalna. 
• Garam Masala, GT Road, ☏ +91 341 3262030. Bombay Hotel presents a complete vegetarian AC restaurant in the market place. 
• Sudhamrit, Bastin Bazar, GT Road, ☏ +91 341-2302757. 

• 🌍 Churulia. Birthplace of Kazi Nazrul Islam, a Bengali poet. The village is about 17 km from Asansol, and contains a museum with his works and a memorial for him. A fair with high standard cultural programmes is organised on the occasion of the poet's birthday in the Bengali month of Joistho (May-June). 

• Biharinath - holiday resorts
• Bishnupur — The famous terracotta temple town and home to major art and craft is about 100 km from Asansol. The Bankura horse, symbol of Indian handicrafts is produced at Panchmura, near Bishnupur. It is also the home of the Baluchari sari, initially woven with Ramayana and Mahabharata motifs but now modernised.
• Durgapur - 42 km from Asansol.
• Dhanbad - 60 km from Asansol.
• Garh Panchakot — Home to Panchet Dam, about 17 km from Asansol. It is approachable via Chirkunda.
• Kendubillo – Temple and birthplace of Sanskrit poet Jaydev, on the banks of the Ajay river, is about 80 km from Asansol. Makar sankranti mela with bauls (religious singers with a detached philosophy and spontaneity of their own) participating is held in mid January.
• Maithon — About 20 km from Asansol. It is approachable via Neamatpur or Asansol Bypass, or one can take a little circuitous route via Chirkunda. Those travelling in a car often take one route for going out and return by the other.
• Santiniketan — Visva-Bharati, founded by Rabindranath Tagore and now a central university and an institution of national importance, is located here. It is about 90 km from Asansol.