Kolkata
(formerly Calcutta) is the capital of India's West Bengal state.
Founded as an East India Company trading post, it was India's capital
under the British Raj from 1773–1911. Today it’s known for its
grand colonial architecture, art galleries and cultural festivals.
It’s also home to Mother House, headquarters of the Missionaries of
Charity, founded by Mother Teresa, whose tomb is on site.
Whenever
there’s a discussion about Kolkata (the city of Joy), it’s common
to find people unanimously breaking into avid descriptions of the
rich cultural heritage that this city is gifted with. Monuments like
the Victoria Memorial, Tollygunge Club, Writers Building form a part
of the nostalgic remnants of the ‘British Raj’.
Apart
from that, Kolkata is known for its vibrant festivals – Durga Puja,
in particular, people from all across, come to join in the cities
celebrations. Colourful ‘Pandals’ are built, some having the most
innovative and quirky themes. It truly is a sight to see!
One can drone on endlessly into numerous descriptions on the individualistic features of the city and yet fail to capture the true essence of what we believe is our ‘City of Joy’.
One can drone on endlessly into numerous descriptions on the individualistic features of the city and yet fail to capture the true essence of what we believe is our ‘City of Joy’.
1. Dakshineswar Kali Temple
A dream inspired the construction of the Dakshineshwar Temple in Kolkata, a structure more than 100 ft high, built within a huge complex that also houses 12 shrines dedicated to Shiva and one to Radha-Krishna. In 1847, when the wealthy widow Rani Rashmoni was preparing to leave for Varanasi, Goddess Kali appeared in her dream and said, “There is no need to go to Kashi. Install my statue in a beautiful temple on the banks of the Ganga and arrange for my worship there.” The Rani did so.
To the west of the vast temple courtyard stand 12 Shiva temples of Bengali aatchala (eight-roofs) style in a row. Sri Ramakrishna spent many years in the chamber to the north-west, a little beyond the last of the Shiva temples. Some of the most important events in this enlightened soul’s life took place at the Dakshineshwar Temple. A four-poster bed with his garlanded photograph is seen here.
With six temples on either side, a flight of steps goes down to the bathing ghat in the Hooghly. At the head of the ghat is the traditional chandni, a roofed terrace where visitors can enjoy the riverfront. To the left of the temple courtyard is the temple to Radhakanta, or Vishnu. A temple dedicated to Rani Rashmoni was added later, near the entrance.
2. Birla Mandir
One of the popular temples of Kolkata is the Birla Temple, which is situated at the junction of Ashutosh Chowdhury Avenue. This white marble temple is designed on the lines of the popular Lingaraj Temple of Bhubaneshwar and is of a height of 160 ft. Numerous stone engravings, episodes and messages from the Bhagavad Gita have been pictorially depicted, inside the temple.
The electric diyas (lamps), chandeliers and soft music help the devotees to experience the spiritual ambience. A number of gods and goddesses are worshipped in this temple such as Radha and Krishna, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman, Durga, Shiva and Ten Avatars of Lord Vishnu. The most fascinating feature of this temple is the evening ‘Aarti’.
3.Ramakrishna Belur Math Temple
The Belur Math is regarded as ‘A Symphony in Architecture’. This temple is one of the architectural wonders of India that represents the idea of Universal Faith. The temple was conceptualized by none other than Swami Vivekananda, the renowned disciple of Sri Ramakrishna who took Hindu religion to the Western world. His idea and vision has inspired millions and today The Ramakrishna Mission stands as an exemplary work of the great Monk and his brother disciples who pledged to serve the humanity selflessly.
Located on the banks of the serene Ganges, the 40 acre campus includes temples dedicated to the great Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda. The campus also has a museum containing artifacts related to the history of Ramakrishna Mission, the samadhi mandir of Swami Vivekananda and his brother disciples and the house facing the Ganges where Swami Ji spent his last few days. Adjoining the Math there are many educational Institutions affiliated with Ramakrishna Mission. The place is a prime center of pilgrimage and a heritage site of national importance.
4. Victoria Memorial
Queen Victoria who remained Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland since June 20, 1837 and Empress of India since May 1, 1876 passed away on January 22, 1901. Following her demise, Lord Curzon conceived the idea of constructing a colossal and grand building with a museum and gardens where one and all can have a glimpse of the rich past. The foundation stone of the monument was laid on January 4, 1906 by the Prince of Wales George V who later became King George V on May 6, 1910. In 1921, the memorial was opened to public; however it became part of a provincial city instead of the capital city as by the time its construction completed, the capital of India was transferred from Calcutta to New Delhi under the instruction of King George V. An appeal made by Curzon to fund the construction of the memorial saw many including royals, individuals as well as the British government in London to come forward and contribute voluntarily.
5. Birla Planetarium (Tara Mandal)
Birla Planetarium Kolkata is a major tourist attraction in the 'city of palaces'. This planetarium in Kolkata set up in 1962 is similar to London planetarium. Shows extending for about an hour are either in English, Hindi, or Bengali. Audience is enthralled by the spectacular show of constellations, zodiacal patterns of the sky, and space probes.
M.P. Birla Planetarium was founded as an educational, research and scientific institution in September 1962 and formally inaugurated in July 1963 by the then Indian Prime Minister Pandit J. L. Nehru. This was the second planetarium to be established in a Commonwealth country and the first in India. The planetarium dome measuring 23 meters in diameter has a seating capacity of 688. At the center is the Carl Zeiss Universal Planetarium Projector.
6. Eden Garden
India’s oldest cricket stadium is the Eden Gardens of Kolkata, which has witnessed some of the spectacular matches and performances by Indian players against foreign countries. This stadium is considered one of the finest in the world and is often termed as the “Lords of Asia”.
Eden Gardens is the second largest stadium in the world just after the cricket ground at Melbourne. In 1917 –1918, the 1st, first – class match was played at Eden Gardens. Presently, the Cricket Association of Bengal owns this stadium that has a seating capacity of 120,000 spectators. In addition to the grounds, this stadium has a pavilion and a modernized Club House.
7. Botanical Garden
The Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, better known as the Botanical Garden, is a sprawling garden spanning a total area of 273 acres that is located in Shibpur, Howrah, near Kolkata. The gardens were established in the year 1787 and were commonly known as the Company Garden in that time. It is presently under the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) of Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. Today, the vibrant garden is considered to be one of the most stunning landscaped gardens in the entire country with undulating land topography and astonishing artificial lakes. It is a pure delight for nature lovers to visit this area and to spend some quiet and peaceful time in the lap of nature at the gardens.
The Botanical Garden boasts of being home to 12,000 living perennial plants as well as thousands of dried out plants which have been collected from all across the globe. Thousands of astounding orchids and multicoloured flowers can also be found in the garden. The major attraction of the garden, however, is the vast and widespread Banyan tree, which is popularly known as the Great Banyan Tree. This enormous tree is reputed for forming the second most extensive canopy in the entire world. The Botanical Gardens were originally founded in 1786 by Colonel Kyd, and are the oldest botanical garden that can be found in the whole country. In fact, the tea that now grows in Assam and Darjeeling was first developed in these gardens.
8. Museum
The ninth oldest museum of the world and largest in India, the Indian Museum is located in the old city of Kolkata The foundation stone of the Indian Museum was laid down in the year 1814 and has been a centre of multidisciplinary activities ever since. Popularly known as 'Jadughar', it exhibits some of the finest collection of historical importance ranging from contemporary paintings and a sacred relic of Buddha to Egyptian mummies and ancient sculptures. In addition to these, the Indian Museum boasts of some of the most exquisite collections of ornaments, fossils, skeletons, antiques, armours, and stunning Mughal paintings.
In addition to being the safehouse for many priceless relics, the Indian Museum has served various other roles and services as well. The Government College of Art and Craft founded in the year 1854 operated from the southern wing of the museum, which moved to the premises in the year 1892. Presently, it has 35 galleries which have been divided into six categories namely Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology and Economic Botany. For those inquisitive about history, there is also a library and bookshop present within the museum premises. Indian Museum recently celebrated its bicentennial with great fervour in February 2014. With its splendid collection, the museum takes you back in time to witness our fascinating past.
9. Howrah Bridge
Howrah Bridge, located over the Hoogli River in West Bengal, India, is said to be the busiest bridge of the world. It got its name owing to the fact that it connects the city of Howrah to Calcutta. Howrah Bridge in Kolkata, India, also known by the name 'Rabindra Setu', was set up in 1874. It stands on two 270 feet high pillars. Calcutta Howrah Bridge is a cantilever truss bridge that was constructed without using any nuts and bolts. Though, earlier it had a tram route, but presently, it is serving mainly as a Road Bridge. Howrah bridge has got two sister bridges also, namely, Vidyasagar Setu and the Vivekananda Setu that are situated at different points over the hoogly river. This bridge acts as an important symbol of Kolkata.
10. Park Street
Park Street may be just a thoroughfare, but it is Kolkata's prominent attraction. It boasts of a surprisingly diverse range of attractions that range from beautiful Colonial buildings to bustling shopping outlets. Party the night away in one of the pulsating nightclubs, relax in a 5-star hotel or go for a leisurely walk from one end to another. Park Street may not have big museums or exciting amusement parks, but it does have historical attractions and hangout zones to suit your interest.
( During Christmas Time )
For those who want to party in Kolkata, Park Street is the perfect place to go. Rightly nicknamed as 'Food Street' and 'The Street that Never Sleeps', this stretch has been entertaining visitors since many years, and the past 50 years have been especially lively. In the 1970s and 80s, many renowned musicians played in its pubs like Blue Fox, Trinca's and Mocambo. Stroll along the street and you will find over 20 flashy nightclubs where most of the action takes place. Someplace Else - the British style pub that hosts nine hours of live music every day is fun, swanky and worth checking out.
11. Kalighat Kali Temple
The temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. According to the legend, the temple stands at the place where the one of parts of Sati’s body had fallen in the course of Shiva’s Rudra Tandava. Kalighat is the site where the toe of Sati fell. It is believed that, long back, a devotee discovered a ray of light coming from the Bhagirathi river bed. Later, it was found that the source was a piece of stone which was carved in the form of a human toe. After finding that, the devotee started worshipping Maa Kali in a jungle. The temple is also associated with Chowringi Nath, a Dasanami monk who prayed to Goddess Kali.
12. New Market
Shopping can be more fun if we find an incredible array of things under the same roof or nearby. New Market in Kolkata offers everything. This age-old market created during the colonial rule enjoys a widespread patronage even today. New Market is definitely a bargain hunter’s delight. Amidst the chaos of vendors and shoppers, you can find your favorite and fashionable item at a reasonable rate. Well, the place can be best described as a maze of about 2000 shops selling everything that one can never imagine. From apparels, footwear’s, fashion jewelry, electronic gadgets, toys, kid’s sections, products of daily use, crockeries, groceries, flower shops, décor items etc., they have all the items that can make you go gaga. Besides fulfilling your shopping spree, you can satiate your gastronomical senses with some amazing variety of delicacies found at the eateries in this area.
13.Princep Ghat
As autumn leaves fall, winter is round the corner knocking at our doors. And as the cool winds start to blow, out comes the Calcuttan’s picnic baskets, mats, badminton racquets and flasks of hot steaming ‘cha’. Picnics, winters and resident of Kolkata are synonymous with each other with every family planning outdoor trips lasting from a day to the full weekend. A popular picnic spot in the city is Princep or James Prinsep Ghat built during the British era, along the banks of the river Hooghly. Adding to its Ruskin Bondish charm is a quaint little railway station maintained by the Eastern Railway. With the sound of the trains whistling by along with the river lapping up the ghats make a day out at Princep Ghat ethereal.
14. Nicco Park
If your kids love activities, then Nicco Park is probably the best place to visit. The 40-acre amusement park came into existence in 1991 and has often been referred to as the Disneyland of West Bengal. From rides to shows to other attraction, there’s no dearth of fun things to do in Nicco Park for kids, young adults and families alike. Plunge into cold waters on a hot summer day or enjoy the rides (dry/kids/family). The toy train ride is fun as it takes you around the whole park, during which, you can see everything that the park has to offer. Moreover, if your kids are brave enough, opt for some thrill rides like flying saucer, water chute and cyclone. Family rides such as cable cars, paddle boats and river caves are equally amazing. Needless to say, the park offers ample options for food and beverages as well. Take a break from the ride, take your fill and get ready for another round of fun and frolic. Recently, Nicco Park has introduced bowling that you can enjoy with the whole family. One of the most popular theme parks in Kolkata, Nicco Park is a must visit if you are touring the city with kids.
15. Alipur Zoo Zoological Garden
The Alipore Zoo, also known as the Calcutta Zoo or the Zoological Garden of Alipore, is the oldest zoological park to have been established in India and is a major tourist attraction in Kolkata, West Bengal. The Alipore Zoo attracts tourists from all across the nation who visit the zoo to explore the wildlife that happily thrives here and to enjoy themselves. Spread over an area of 46.5 acres, the zoo has been operating since 1876, when it was first opened to the general public. The zoo is perhaps the most known for being the home of the expired Aldabra giant tortoise 'Adwaita', a tortoise who had lived for over 250 years before he died in the year 2006. The place is a must visit for nature enthusiasts, or for families with children, to explore the abundant and plentiful wildlife of the country at its best.
The Alipore zoo is home to a variety of exotic animals like Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant, the Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros, White Tiger, Grant's Zebra, Antelope, Deer and more. At the same time, the zoo is also the home to various attractive birds like Macaws and Lorikeet, colourful and flamboyant birds like Swinhoe's Pheasant, Lady Amherst's Pheasant and Golden Pheasant, large birds like Ostrich, Emu, Hornbills and more. During the winter season, the Alipore Zoo also becomes the dwelling place of a few migratory birds like the Sarus Crane.
The Alipore Zoo becomes especially crowded during the winter seasons when tourists flock to this popular destination in Kolkata in huge numbers. Modernisation of the zoo, including the addition of new glass-walled enclosures and building of aviaries, has further led to an increase in the popularity of this zoo.
