Kolkatta

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Overview		Tourist Attraction		How to Reach

Introduction Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is the capital of West Bengal and the second largest city in India (after Mumbai). If Bangalore is the Seattle of India, then Kolkata is the sub-contintent's New York. It is an 'in your face' city that shocks and charms the unsuspecting visitor. Abject poverty and filth mix inexplicably with crumbling British Raj-era gems, sprawling gardens and historical colleges. Long known as the cultural capital of India, Kolkata continues to spawn generations of poets, writers, film producers and Nobel Peace Prize winners. If your visit only allows for a visit of one or two of India's metropolitan cities, then definitely consider placing Kolkata on your itinerary. Love it or hate it, you definitely won't forget the city on the Hooghly. No Kolkata visit is complete without a festival. From behind decorated doors, conch shells sound, incense billows, and brilliant red, yellow and white flowers strike a contrast against green leaves to herald a season of festivities. Some call it the city of joy. Some, the city of dreams. To some, it's all about festivity and living life king-size. Some hang on to the name Calcutta. Some swear by Kolkata. Whatever your persuasion, come, explore the city that lives! Best Time to travel October to March Dakshineswar Kali Temple It is situated alongside the Vivekananda Bridge north of Calcutta, about 20 km. from BBD Bagh. It is famous for its association - with Ramkrishna who achieved spiritual vision here. This temple was built by Rani Rashmoni in 1847. The 12- spired temple with its enormous courtyard is surrounded by 12 other temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a world famous place of pilgrimage and it was here that the famous religious thinker Rama Krishna Paramahamsa achieved his spiritual vision and preached the unity of all religions. BBD Bagh (Dalhousie Square) Dalhousie Square (renamed Benoy-Badal-Dinesh Bagh after the three, martyrs of Bengal) was created in the heart of the imperial capital of Calcutta. The tank in the centre, fed by natural springs, is said to have supplied Charnock with drinking water. Historical buildings surround the square. The northern side is occupied by Writers' Building. To the east are commercial houses and the West Bengal Govt Tourist Bureau. On the southern side is Raj Bhavan, residence of the Governor. Beside that are the State Legislative Assembly House and the Calcutta High court. St John's Cathedral, close to Raj Bhavan is the oldest church in Calcutta. Howrah Bridge A major landmark, now so much a part of the city that Calcutta is inconceivable without it. Over 2,590 metric tonnes of high tensile steel make up this unique cantilever bridge that joins the main Railway Station (for Calcutta) and the industrial city of Howrah with the city of Calcutta. Opened in 1943 replacing a former pontoon bridge, it is today one of the busiest bridges in the world. There are eight vehicular ways and two footpaths on this bridge on the river Hooghly. As you circle the town by air or come in by train at Howrah station, the bridge dominates. Shahid Minar Previously known as Ochterlony Monument, located in the heart of Esplanade. The panoramic view of the city from the top of the monument is really captivating. With 218 steps, this 52 meters high monument consists of a combination of Egyptian base, Syrian column and Turkish copula. Birla Planetarium Located at the top end of Chowringhee, the only planetarium in the country, whose dome houses a collection of projectors and optical equipment's expensively imported from East Germany. It is the largest planetarium in South-East Asia and the 2nd. largest planetarium in the world. Victoria Memorial Calcutta Victoria memorial hall is a fabulous museum that was established in the year 1921. The credit for designing and drawing the plan for this monument goes to Sir William Emerson, President of the British Institute of Architects. Victoria Memorial of Kolkata, India is a fantastic place that will take you into the world of past history, where you can view the photos and effigies of prominent personalities, who made an incredible contribution in the glory of India. Today, Victoria memorial is one of the finest art museums in Kolkata. It is a 184 ft tall edifice that was constructed on 64 acres of land. The museum houses a group of mind-blowing figures above the north porch that epitomize prudence, learning and motherhood. Marble Palace This, indisputably, is the richest, the quaintest, the eeriest, the most haphazard and the most ridiculous, the most astonishing and the most lovable and almost the saddest relic in what, by about the start of the nineteenth century, was beginning to be called the City of Palaces. There is marble everywhere, in ninety different varieties it is said, transported across the seas by the ton to provide floors and wall panels and table tops. Fort William Citadel of Calcutta . With the permission of the Nawab of Bengal, this fort was built between 1696 and 1702 by the British East India Company and named after King William III of England. In 1756 the fort was taken by the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-dullah. In 1757 East India Company regained their power and demolished this fort and they started reconstruction of the fort. The new fort was completed in 1773 and it is still there. Netaji Bhawan It is the place where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose lived and worked. His personal belongings are on exhibition here. Rajbhavan The majestic Raj Bhawan or Governor's House is the official residence of the Governor of West Bengal. This magnificent edifice, which was built by the Marquis of Wellesley and resembles to a great extent the famous Kendleston Hall in Britain. This palatial edifice is spread over a sprawling 27 acres of land. This eighteenth century edifice is one of the finest specimen of Victorian architectural grandeur. Introduction Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is the capital of West Bengal and the second largest city in India (after Mumbai). If Bangalore is the Seattle of India, then Kolkata is the sub-contintent's New York. It is an 'in your face' city that shocks and charms the unsuspecting visitor. Abject poverty and filth mix inexplicably with crumbling British Raj-era gems, sprawling gardens and historical colleges. Long known as the cultural capital of India, Kolkata continues to spawn generations of poets, writers, film producers and Nobel Peace Prize winners. If your visit only allows for a visit of one or two of India's metropolitan cities, then definitely consider placing Kolkata on your itinerary. Love it or hate it, you definitely won't forget the city on the Hooghly. No Kolkata visit is complete without a festival. From behind decorated doors, conch shells sound, incense billows, and brilliant red, yellow and white flowers strike a contrast against green leaves to herald a season of festivities. Some call it the city of joy. Some, the city of dreams. To some, it's all about festivity and living life king-size. Some hang on to the name Calcutta. Some swear by Kolkata. Whatever your persuasion, come, explore the city that lives! Best Time to travel October to March How To Reach Air The airport in Kolkata is situated at Dumdum, around 17 km northeast of the city center. Most of the domestic airlines have direct services to and from Kolkata to other important cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Patna, Varanasi, Lucknow, etc. Kolkata provides direct flights to most of the countries in the Southeast Asia. Road Kolkata is connected with most of the Indian cities by road. The Esplanade Terminus in the heart of the city is the main bus terminus. A new development is the starting of the Dhaka-Kolkata bus service. The buses are colorful, air-conditioned and comfortable Rail The city has two major railway stations-one at Howrah and the other one at Sealdah. Trains from the other parts of the country connect Kolkata.