Berhampore and Murshidabad at a glance
Berhampore, also written Baharampur, is a town in West Bengal. Do not confuse it with Brahmapur in Odisha. The historic city of Murshidabad, once the capital of Bengal under the Nawabs, is a separate place. The Hazarduari Palace stands in Lalbagh, in the Murshidabad area, and the Nizamat Imambara faces it. Many visitors sleep in Berhampore and sightsee in Lalbagh, or the other way round.
This guide covers the Hazarduari Palace and its museum, the Katra Masjid, the Nizamat Imambara, Kathgola, Nashipur Rajbari, Khoshbagh and Cossimbazar, the Plassey (Palashi) battlefield, the history of the Nawabs, and the practical side: trains from Kolkata, the weather and where to stay. All prices are in Indian rupees (INR) for 2026, and they can change.
Our picks: Kolkata tours before or after Murshidabad
These six start in Kolkata and none of them goes to Murshidabad. The Murshidabad day trip is on the tours page. For a city day with entries and lunch take the Victoria Memorial tour, for a short ticket-only visit the Victoria Memorial guided entry, and for a longer stay the three-day tour with two hotel nights.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Three-day private Kolkata city tour with hotel
- Two hotel nights with breakfast
- Arrival and departure assistance
- Private car and local guide
Two hotel nights with a private car and a local guide for the sightseeing. Entries per the itinerary are included; camera fees are extra.
Check availability →
Kolkata sights with Victoria Memorial and a tonga ride
- Monument entries
- Set lunch menu
- Tonga ride at Victoria Memorial
A private sightseeing day with monument entries, a set lunch menu and a tonga ride at the Victoria Memorial.
Check availability →
Spiritual sights of Kolkata by car
- Hotel pickup and return
- Licensed guide
- Air-conditioned sedan with driver
A licensed guide shows you Kolkata's spiritual sights in an air-conditioned sedan. Entries are included except museums, which need their own tickets.
Check availability →
Kolkata city walk with a local guide
- Local guide
- Water, tea or coffee
A local guide leads you through Kolkata on foot, with water and tea or coffee along the way. It stays in Kolkata and does not go to Murshidabad.
Check availability →
Kolkata morning culture and breakfast tour
- Breakfast and sweets
- Local transport fees
- Local guide
A morning with a local guide that starts at the Victoria Memorial and includes breakfast and sweets.
Check availability →
Victoria Memorial guided visit with entry ticket
- Victoria Memorial entry ticket
- English-speaking guide
- Priority entry
A short guided visit to the Victoria Memorial with the entry ticket already included.
Check availability →Murshidabad tours and trips from Kolkata
Guided heritage tours and day trips to the palaces, mosques and tombs of the Nawabs, with live prices and availability.
Plan your trip
Start with the Hazarduari Palace, then pick the pages you need.
Hazarduari Palace
Museum, ticket price, timings and what the galleries hold.
Murshidabad, city of the Nawabs
The old capital, its main sights and a multi-day tour example.
Places to visit
Katra Masjid, Nizamat Imambara, Kathgola, Khoshbagh and more.
Tours and trains from Kolkata
Multi-day programs, private day tours and the train compared.
Plassey (Palashi)
The 1757 battlefield and memorial in Nadia district.
History of Murshidabad
Nawabs, Siraj ud-Daulah and the years around 1757.
Getting there
Hazarduari Express, Bhagirathi Express, road and airport.
Weather and best time
Monthly temperatures and rain, and which months suit a visit.
Where to stay
Berhampore or Lalbagh: which base fits your plans.
What brings visitors to Murshidabad
Four reasons, and where to read more.
A palace museum
The Hazarduari Palace holds portraits, furniture, silver thrones, palanquins and weapons from the court of the Nawabs. Plan a morning for it, and note that the museum is closed on Fridays.
Ticket price and timings →Mosques and halls
The Katra Masjid holds the tomb of Murshid Quli Khan, and the Nizamat Imambara faces the palace. Both are worth seeing from outside even when the inside is closed.
Places to visit →Tombs and a battlefield
Khoshbagh holds the graves of Alivardi Khan and Siraj ud-Daulah. The battle of Plassey in 1757 ended his rule, and the field is a separate trip.
History of the Nawabs →Silk and craft
Silk weaving is part of the local culture, and the Baluchari sari takes its name from a village in Murshidabad district.
Murshidabad →A first visit works well in two days: one in Lalbagh with the palace, the Imambara, the Katra Masjid and Kathgola, and one for Khoshbagh, Motijheel or Cossimbazar. Add Plassey as a separate outing. Winter is the most comfortable season, from November to February, when average highs stay between 24.7 and 30.9 °C.
A few things to know before you go
Short facts that save time on the ground.
The palace dates from 1829 to 1837
The Hazarduari Palace was built for Nawab Nazim Humayun Jah, long after the time of Siraj ud-Daulah. The museum inside has been run by the Archaeological Survey of India since 1985.
Hazarduari Palace →Plassey is in Nadia district
The battlefield of 23 June 1757 lies in Nadia district, not in Murshidabad district. A memorial stone was set up there in 1883, so the monument is much younger than the battle.
Plassey (Palashi) →Trains leave from different stations
The Hazarduari Express starts at Kolkata station and the Bhagirathi Express at Sealdah. Check the departure station on your ticket before you head out.
Trains from Kolkata →Interiors can differ from the grounds
The Nizamat Imambara is a sight from outside, but access to the inside varies, so ask on the day. Plan for the same with other palaces and tombs.
Places to visit →Wasif Manzil reopened in December 2023
The New Palace near Hazarduari opened to the public again after 16 years. Ask locally whether it is open on your day.
Berhampore and Murshidabad: frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Murshidabad?
November to February is cooler and drier. Average highs in January are 24.7 °C, against 33.2 °C in July. June to September brings heavy rain, with 278.7 mm in July on average. October is still wet. These are long-term averages, not a forecast. See weather and the best time to visit.
How do I get from Kolkata to Berhampore?
By train. In a timetable example the Hazarduari Express leaves Kolkata at 06:50, reaches Berhampore Court at about 09:55 and Murshidabad at about 10:10. That is 3 hours 5 minutes to Berhampore Court and 3 hours 20 minutes to Murshidabad. Check the current timetable before you go. More on getting there.
Can I visit Murshidabad in one day from Kolkata?
The train alone takes about 3 hours 20 minutes each way, plus transfers and sightseeing. A private day tour can start at 07:00, leave Murshidabad at 17:30 and return to Kolkata at 21:30. That is a very long day, so a night in Berhampore or Lalbagh gives you more time. See tours and trains from Kolkata.
How much does the Hazarduari Palace cost?
For 2026, Indian adults pay INR 20 to 25 and foreign adults INR 100 to 300, and children under 15 enter free. The amount depends on the category and on how you buy, so confirm it at the counter. The museum is closed on Fridays. Details on the Hazarduari Palace page.
Is it safe to visit Murshidabad?
In April 2025, protests against the Waqf Amendment Act turned violent in parts of the district, including Suti, Samsherganj, Jalangi, Lalgola and Dhuliyan. That does not describe Lalbagh or Berhampore today. As anywhere in India, avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, follow local news and obey any curfew notice.
Is berhampore.org an official website?
No. It is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of West Bengal Tourism, the Archaeological Survey of India or the district administration, and it is not connected to any tour operator or hotel.