Kolkata is the capital of an Indian state West Bengal. This city is also called as Calcutta which is located on east bank of river Hooghly. Kolkata was the capital of India at the period of British raj till 1911. When the British East India Company came to India they started their business in Bengal and Job Charnock is the traditional founder of this city who was an administrator of British by then. Kolkata saw a very good improvement by the development of many modern industries and giving employment opportunity for many local people. Due to some geographical disadvantages and growing nationalism in the minds of Bengal people made the British officials to shift the Indian capital to New Delhi. This city had a different political culture, city was a centre of Indian struggle of independence and thus the city remained as a hot bed of politics.
With this historical background of the city, tourism is having a very good hype in Kolkata these days. The city has a vey good rich repository of heritage and culture. When you come across different places in Kolkata you can find lots of museums, Gardens and many architecture buildings. Many of these buildings have a style of British architecture since all of these were constructed at the time of British rule.
Indian Museum:
Fort William:
This famous building was constructed in the year 1696 under British rule. This building was named after the England’s King William. Actually there are 2 forts new and the old one. The original fort which was constructed in the beginning was attacked by Siraj Ud Daulah who was a Nawab of Bengal in 1757 during the War of Plassey. Then Robert Clive started to construct a new one and was succeeded in the year 1780. The old fort has a strong base and still has stood very strongly. The new fort has been in the control of Indian army after independence as the base of most of Eastern activities. The old fort was reformed and was used as the customs house since 1766. This fort is in the banks of river Hooghly and has a very lush green surrounding the fort. The building is build by bricks and mortars in the form of Octagon covering an area of 5 km. five of the Fort walls face the land and the rest three faces the river Hooghly. The design of this fort is the design for defense against cannon attack. This building has few gates like, Plassey Calcutta, Chowringhee, Water Gate St George and Treasury gate. Since this building is the currently an army central, it is restricted for all the tourists and the interested one has to get the permission from the higher authorities of Indian government or the Army people.
Marble Palace:
Belur Math:
Victoria Memorial
Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium
The Eden Garden Cricket Stadium was built in 1864 and is the second largest stadium in the world behind Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. The stadium in the recent years has undergone renovation work. This cricket stadium has been host to a number of great cricket games that have made mark in the history of cricket. The first ODI was played in the year 1987 and the first test match was played in 1934. The test match was against Douglas Jardine’s MCC. The ground is home to The Bengal Cricket.
Howrah Bridge (Rabindra Setu)
Dalhousie Square( BBD Bag)
The busy locality is a few minutes walk to the south west of Chowringhee.This is the most important part of the city of Kolkata and is around a picture’s tank ‘Laldighi’ surrounded by Writers Building, G.P.O., Telephone Bhavan, Stephen House & all the government and important commercial offices. Now the name has been changed Binoy Badal Dinesh Bag(BBD Bag). From Esplanade-Bus, Tram & Minibuses of BBD Bag.Stop-BBD Bag.
Nicco Park:
Nicco Park is situated at Salt Lake. This Amusement park is the Disneyland of West Bengal, with a variety of unusual games and rides. The Cave Ride is the latest addition and is the only of its kind in this part of the world. The park is open to the public from 10.00 AM to 8.00 PM everyday during the winter and 11.00 AM to 9.00 PM everyday during the rest of the year.
Botanical gardens:
The Botanical Gardens was founded in 1787 by the East India Company. Many plants were collected from various countries for the introduction and acclimatization of plants from the foreign countries. This 273 acre garden consists of a banyan tree which is the world’s largest having a circumference of 330m. One can find rows of mahogany trees, an avenue of Royal Cuban palms and an Orchid House in the garden. These gardens are considered to be the biggest in Asia and the second largest in the world.
Ochterlony Monuments
Now officially renamed the Shahid Minar, this 48m column tower over the northern end of the Maidan. It was erected in 1828 and named after Sir David Ochterlony, who is credited with winning the Nepal War. The column is an intriguing combination of Turkish, Egyptian and Syrian architectural elements. There’s a fine view from the top of the column, but permission to ascend must be obtained from police headquarters, which is on Lal Bazaar St. It’s only open Monday to Friday and you should simply ask for a ‘monument pass’ at the Assistant Commissioner’s office on the 2nd floor.
Paresnath Jain Temple
This temple, built in 1867, is ornately decorated with Venetian glass mosaics, chandeliers from Paris and Brussels, a gilded dome, stained glass windows and mirror inlaid pillars. It is open through the week from 6.00 am to noon and from 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm.
Kali Temple
This is a popular site for the devout. 6 km south of Sudder Street, this temple is dedicated to Kali, the patron goddess of Kolkata. Kali literally means “black.” The tongue of the deity of Kali drips with blood and she wears a garland of skulls. Kali is the destructive aspect of Lord Siva’s consort, Parvati. The present temple was built in 1809 on the site of a much older temple. It is open from 3.00 am to 8.00 pm.
Dakshineshwar Temple
Dakshineshwar Temple is a sacred 19th century complex and one of the largest in Kolkata which is also a prominent pilgrimage destination for Hindu devotees. Kolkata possesses deep cultural and religious roots apparent in several temples & shrines located all over the city and Dhakineshwar Temple is the most famous one amongst them.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
The Church “St. Paul’s Cathedral” was built in the year 1847 and had an essence of Indo-Gothic architecture. The structure was damaged in an earthquake and was rebuilt in 1938. The new structure is a replica of the Bell Harry Tower. The church also contains collection of antique books and paintings. One would get mesmerized by the inner grandeur that contains intricate artwork on wall, mosaic panels, mural painting and Florentine frescoes. The surrounding of the cathedral also presents one with a calm ambience.
Mother Teresa’s homes
A must-see for those who wish to see what humanism is all about. This has become a major attraction of Kolkata. A visit to this place will give your visit to Kolkata a new perspective. Located near the Kali Temple, the place is a home for hundreds of destitute and “the poorest of the poor” – to quote Mother Teresa herself. You may help the needy with your contributions.
Birla Planetarium
This planetarium, near the government of India tourist office, is one of the largest in the world and is located on Kolkata’s Eastern metropolitan bypass. There are shows in English everyday. This 21st century marvel of science, communication and environment is the first and only institution of its kind in India. Set amidst trees and lawns, here one finds science out of doors and alive.
Science City
Set in a 50 Acre of plot at the junction of Eastern Metropolitan bypass and Park Circus connectors. It has the capacity to hold more than 20,000 visitors at a time with conference hall, cafeteria, monorails, ropeway etc.
Not only the places available in Kolkata has made it popular place, it is also very much famous for the different variety of see food. People who visit Kolkata have to taste the elegance of sea food at least once.
