Kolkata - the city of joy !
Also known as the “City of Joy” and the “Cultural Hub of India”, Kolkata is amongst few cities in India to still retain its old world charm. Located along the banks of beautiful and serene river Ganga, Kolkata is the capital of Eastern state of West Bengal.
You can begin your journey by visiting the” Vidya Sagar Setu” which stands tall in middle of the Hooghly river. Also known as the Second Hooghly Bridge, it is the longest cable stayed bridge in India and one of longest in Asia. Connecting two pulsating cities of Howrah and Kolkata, the “Vidya Sagar Setu” is capable of carrying more than 85,000 vehicles per day. You can get a picturesque view of the Kolkata city by taking a ride along the exotic lanes of the” Vidya Sagar Setu”. Entire bridge is emblazed with lights during dusk and dawn; a perfect time to visit the site.
After the “Vidya Sagar Setu”, head towards the “Prinsep Monument” – a popular recreational spot in the city. Its rich gothic inlays have grabbed attention of many film-makers. Famous song ‘Piyu Bole’ from the movie Parineeta was shot at this location.
Another equally important monument of the city, the “Victoria Memorial”, is the landmark of Kolkata. Conceived by Lord Curzon in the memory of Queen Victoria, the "Victoria Memorial Hall" is a unique blend of British and Mughal architecture. Built with white Makrana marbles imported from Rajasthan, it is one of the most beautiful monuments in India. Inside the hall, is a museum having paintings of British Raj and other remnants from the period of British rule in India. Standing atop the memorial is the angel of victory – a black coloured bronze sculpture, 16 ft high weighing 3 tonnes, which rotates when the wind speed is high enough. Sprawling landscaped gardens and fountains add to the beauty of the monument. Light and Sound show during evenings is another activity which you can indulge into when you are here.
Right opposite to the “Victoria Memorial” is the “Maidan Park” – an open field spread across 1000 acres of land. The park is a popular meeting place from early morning to late evening. It is also the Mecca of sporting activities in the city and home to many aspiring sportsmen who are free to practice any sport at any time of the day. You can also find here, lots of cricket and sports clubs; most famous of them being the Mohun Bagan Club. Also, along the “Maidan Park” lies the famous cricket venue, the “Eden Gardens Stadium”, which is the largest stadium in India and second largest in the world by its seating capacity. Visiting this place is a must when you are in Kolkata.
Your next stop of city tour should be the “Dalhousie Square” – the central business district of Kolkata, which was once the epicentre of power and trade during the British colonial rule in India. “Dalhousie Square” is located in the heart of Kolkata and is the home to many heritage buildings, banks and commercial establishments; most significant being the “Writer’s Building” - secretariat building of the West Bengal government. The building originally served as the residence to the writers (clerical and administrative staff) of the British East India Company and hence the name; various departments of West Bengal government are housed in this building and over 6000 employees work here at present.
Diagonally opposite the Writer’s Building is another significant building in the Dalhousie Square: the “General Post Office” notable for its remarkable high dome rising over 220 ft with white tall pillars. The building also houses the postal museum where one can get a glimpse of the history of the Indian Postal department. Old postal artefacts like stationary items, post boxes and stamps belonging to the British era can be seen here in this museum.
How can one forget to see the famous “Howrah Bridge” also called the “Rabindra Setu” when in Kolkata? It’s a suspension type cantilever bridge constructed without any use of pillars and nuts-bolts and still standing tall from last 71 years. The bridge is famous as one of the busiest bridges in the world with almost 3 million people crossing the bridge every day. Best time to visit the bridge is during night when it looks enchanting, lit up with colourful lights.
Near the Howrah Bridge is the Flower Market where freshly picked flowers are sold early morning. Vivid varieties of flowers are exported to different parts of the country from this market. You can visit this market early in the morning.
Swami Vivekananda’s ancestral house is one more famous tourist attraction in Kolkata. The house has now been converted into a museum & cultural centre and is being maintained by the Ramakrishna Mission. Artifacts and pictures depicting the life of Swami Vivekanada can be seen in the museum.
“Mother Teresa’s home” also known as mother’s home is another great tourist attraction in Kolkata. She did a lot of her work from here. Her home has also been converted into a museum and houses her tomb as well.
Another must visit place in Kolkata is the oldest Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Kali: the Kalighat Temple. Huge rush can be seen in the temple during Durga Puja and other auspicious occasions.
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