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Voykit pocket guide · India
Old Malda
Spend half a day in Old Malda to see its heritage sites; add a night only if you want a quiet stay after Malda district travel.
Old Malda is a small heritage town in North Bengal, known for historic religious sites and river‑front streets. It fits into a day‑trip from Malda or a brief stopover with a night in a guesthouse.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Avoid
- Jun–Sep (monsoon floods)
- Stay
- 0.5–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹800–₹1,200 excl. bed · Mid ₹1,200–₹2,000 excl. bed · High ₹2,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police 100 · Fire and ambulance 101 · General emergency 112
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tea (street stall) | ₹30–₹50 |
| Snack (samosa) | ₹20–₹40 |
| Meal at modest restaurant | ₹150–₹300 |
| Train ticket Old Malda–Malda (one way) | ₹30–₹70 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- IXI · Malda Airport
- Domestic flights; nearest major airport is Bagdogra (IXB) about 150 km (93 mi) awayDomestic flights; nearest major airport is Bagdogra (IXB) about 93 mi (150 km) away
Typical fares
- Old Malda Junction → Malda Town (train)
- ≈₹50, 30 min (check)
- Rickshaw 5 km within Old Malda
- ≈₹80 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Town is walkable; rickshaws and shared autos are available for short hops. Train station (Old Malda Junction) connects to Malda Town (≈15 km (9.3 mi)).Town is walkable; rickshaws and shared autos are available for short hops. Train station (Old Malda Junction) connects to Malda Town (≈9.3 mi (15 km)).
See and do
Known for
- Gouranga Mahaprabhu Temple
- Gurudwara marking Guru Nanak’s visit
- Jami Masjid (Mughal era)
- Shyam Rai Temple (400‑year‑old)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Malda (English Bazar) | Train from Old Malda Junction to Malda Town, about 30 min; or auto‑rickshaw 15 km (9.3 mi)Train from Old Malda Junction to Malda Town, about 30 min; or auto‑rickshaw 9.3 mi (15 km) | ≈1 h total |
Sleep
- Old Malda Municipality Guesthouse
- basic rooms, walkable to all sights; book ahead (check).
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | माफ़ कीजिएmaaf kijiye |
| Thank you | धन्यवादdhanyavaad |
| How much is it? | कितना है?kitna hai? |
| Where is the toilet? | शौचालय कहाँ है?shauchalay kahan hai? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- River flooding can block low‑lying streets in monsoon months; check local alerts.
- Limited night‑life and services after 9 pm; plan meals earlier.
Generally safe for day visits; stay alert during monsoon floods and keep valuables secure in crowded markets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Old Malda yet. Suggested stay: 0.5–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Gouranga Mahaprabhu Temple
- Gurudwara marking Guru Nanak’s visit
- Jami Masjid (Mughal era)
- Shyam Rai Temple (400‑year‑old)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Old Malda Municipality: www.omm.org.in
- Wikivoyage: Old Malda, revision 5302126 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5302126
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/old-malda). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.