Major city · India
Amtaআমতা
Skip Amta unless you are a pilgrim for Melai Chandi Mandir or a rail enthusiast: half a day covers the temple and the riverbank.
Amta is a small town on the Damodar River in Howrah district, known mainly for the Melai Chandi Mandir, a Kali temple that draws pilgrims. The town has little else for a general traveller, and the Howrah–Amta local train is the main reason to come. Most visitors pass through in a few hours.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon, river may swell)
- Airport
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (CCU)
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Amta112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Amta, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyAmta is a quiet town; the main risk is missing the last train back to Howrah.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckCCU Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (Kolkata) (About 50 km (31 mi); taxi to Howrah station, then the Amta local train (check).).CCU Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (Kolkata) (About 31 mi (50 km); taxi to Howrah station, then the Amta local train (check).).
- Getting aroundWalk or take a rickshaw for the 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from the station to Melai Chandi Mandir.Walk or take a rickshaw for the 0.9 mi (1.5 km) from the station to Melai Chandi Mandir.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CCU Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (Kolkata) (About 50 km (31 mi); taxi to Howrah station, then the Amta local train (check).)CCU Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (Kolkata) (About 31 mi (50 km); taxi to Howrah station, then the Amta local train (check).)
Map of Amta
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
not flagged
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
May
not flagged
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Jun
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Jul (18 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Amta: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Apr
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
May
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Dec
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk or take a rickshaw for the 1.5 km from the station to Melai Chandi Mandir. No public transport within the town.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Howrah
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Local train from Amta station, about 1 h 15 min
Return before the last train around 21:00.Return before the last train around 9:00 PM.
Door to door: About 2 h
Train to Howrah, then local train or bus to Bally
Bally has a few temples and a riverside ghat; combine with Howrah.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Train to Howrah, then bus or taxi east
Deulti is a literary pilgrimage site; only if you have a full day.
Gadiara
skipDoor to door: About 3 h
Train to Howrah, then bus or taxi south
River fort at the confluence; requires a dedicated trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Amta town centre
A few basic lodges near the station; most visitors stay in Howrah or Kolkata and day-trip.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12) (day-trip)
- Mid
- ₹1,000–2,000 (≈ US$12–25) (day-trip)
Trip budget
| Day-trip (no overnight stay)1 × 1 night × ₹0 | ₹0 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ₹500 | ₹500 |
| Howrah–Amta return train fare1 × ₹60 · check | ₹60 |
| Rickshaw from station to temple and back1 × ₹50 | ₹50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹61 |
| Trip total≈ ₹671 per person per day, bed included | ₹671≈ US$8 |
No accommodation needed.
2026 estimate in rupees; day-trip from Howrah or Kolkata. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Howrah–Amta local train, one way | ₹30 (≈ under US$1) (check) |
| Rickshaw ride within town | ₹20–50 (≈ under US$1) |
| Tea and a snack | ₹20–50 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Last train from Amta to Howrah leaves around 21:00 (check the current timetable).Last train from Amta to Howrah leaves around 9:00 PM (check the current timetable).
- Temple may be crowded on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
- No ATMs confirmed in the town centre (check).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
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Amtaআমতা
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
এই ঠিকানায় যাবেনTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Howrah → Amta, local train: about ₹30 (≈ under US$1), about 1 h 15 min (check)
- Rickshaw station → Melai Chandi Mandir: ₹20–50 (≈ under US$1)
Say or show
- কত? — How much? (koto)
- মন্দির কোথায়? — Where is the temple? (mondir kothay)
- হাওড়ার ট্রেন? — Train to Howrah? (howrar tren)
Bengali is the main language; Hindi and basic English are understood at the station.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Amta. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon, river may swell) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Melai Chandi Mandir and the Amta station with verified hours and train timetables.
- Eat pages for the two or three stalls near the temple.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for the Howrah–Amta local line.
Sources
Ask about Amta
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