Kolkata’s Tribute to the Raj
Best places to visit in Kolkata, sightseeing & tourist attractions in Kolkata
Kolkata is also known as the cultural capital of India. As the sun sets, the city of joy glistens with a ghostly light. Echoes of those days reverberate from every nook and cranny and pursue the visitor as he strolls around the galleries, armouries and chambers. Many of India’s old rulers stare at you from niches and arches – Warren Hastings and Lord Cornwallis – either in stone or paint. One sees other factotums of a dismantled empire too; those who held high and hazardous office or made history in one way or another.
Map of Kolkata:
Whats Famous Here: Tourist Places and Things To Do in Kolkata
Architecture of Kolkata: In the harsh glare of the mid-day sun, however, many buildings look more like a relic of the British Raj. The Victoria Memorial is Calcutta’s Taj Mahal,” a guide whispers. And he was right. For this memorial is a British imitation of the Taj, which was also built in memory of a queen. The marble used in this Italian Renaissance structure, with its ornate Mughul touches was quarried at Makrana. The statues adorning the memorial porches and the central dome were crafted in Italy. A bronze Angel of Victory, 16 ft high and weighing three tons, crowns the dome.
Heritage of Kolkata: The city houses a treasure trove of 369 oil paintings, the city of joy has the country’s largest collection of painter Daniell’s works which were part of collector George Lyell’s treasure trove of water colours, engravings and oil paintings that was donated to the memorial. There are works of painter Solvyns as well as water colours and oil paintings by Victorian and post-Victorian artists, Indian and Persian miniatures, rare manuscripts, early pictures of the city, a model of Calcutta’s Fort Willian area, guns, maps and other artifacts which tell the most eloquent story of Kolkata and the Raj.
The Queen Victoria also -present – in finely etched portraits. In this leafy graveyard of the British empire, other luminaries jostle for space – Macaulay, Kipling, William Makepeace Thackeray and even Florence Nightingale. A portrait gallery of Indian national leaders is worth looking at so is a vibrant exhibition detailing Kolkata’s history called the City of Kolkata gallery.
The cultural capital is known for its elaborate and colourful traditional forms of dramas, films and art.
Festivals in Kolkata: The most celebrate festival is the Durga Puja which is celebrated with much fanfare. During Durga Puja the whole city gets decorated as if its getting prepared for a wedding. The festivals usually takes falls in October but the date can vary according to the traditional calendar. Other celebrated festivals include Jagaddhatri Puja, Eid, Diwali, Saraswati puja, Holi, Christmas, Rath Yatra, poila boishak and Poush parbon.
What to See: Top Tourism Places Kolkata
Victoria Memorial: The foundation stone was laid by the Queen’s grandson, the Prince of Wales (later King George V) on January 4, 1906 and it was only on December 28, 1921 that the memorial was thrown open to the public. Ultimately, the memorial is not a dead, mute pile of stones; a cold classic fantasy. It plays an important role in the city’s life. Its flower speckled parkland tended lovingly by 70 gardeners is a popular rendezvous for locals and tourists, a watering hole where one can sit and read a newspaper and even transact crores worth of business. Often the lawns resound to political and religious discourses. The truism about houses hold good for the memorial too. Walls are not important: what’s crucial is the view. Set like a pearl amidst 64 acres of verdant tropical foliage, laced with glistening ponds, the memorial sure has a view!
Alipore Zoological Gardens: The initial collection of the zoo was gifted by General of Bengal Arthur Wellesley from the personal menagerie. The zoo grew as gifts were given generously from British and Indian nobility. Alipore Zoological Gardens is a haven for bird lovers as it’s a resting point for several migratory birds.
Travel to Kolkata: Places You Should Not Miss in Kolkata
Best time to visit: October to March
Local Languages: Bengali, English and Hindi
How to Reach
How to reach Kolkata:
Air: You can take flights to Kolkata. Major airline operators such as Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and kingfisher Airlines have flights carrying passengers in and out of Kolkata.
By Rail: You can also take trains to Kolkata as the state is well connected with all parts of India The city has three major railway stations: Howrah, Kolkata (Chitpur) and Sealdah Howrah, Kolkata (Chitpur) and Sealdah. The three stations connect Delhi to various parts of the country.
By Road: You can also hire a car to Kolkata or you can book bus tickets to Kolkata. Most of the major bus operators run frequent bus services between Kolkata and many other major cities.
Excursions from Kolkata: Tour package of Kolkata sightseeing spots
From Kolkata you can travel to many picturesque locations such as:
Shantiniketan: Shantiniketan in Calcutta is the residence of poet and nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore at Jorasanko. The place also known as Vishva-Bharati University gives education about Indian tradition simultaneously blending it with the very best of other cultures. Initially, Shantiniketan was an ashram later it was modified in to open-air classes by Rabindranath Tagore. Today it also serves as a museum for people trying to get insights of the life of noble laureate.
Botanical Gardens: Situated 8 kms away from the city. This botanical garden boasts to be one of the oldest and largest botanical gardens of India. Botanical Gardens houses about 12,000 living perennial plants. One can also admire millions of dried plants, which have been gathered from various places around ever since foundation was laid out in the year 1787. The giant size banyan tree which are said to have possibly the second largest canopy in the world is also difficult to miss.
Hotels and Resorts in Kolkata : From major Hotel chains, like the Hyatt group to luxury apartments, this state looks after all the accommodation needs of all. Here is a list of the hotels:
Kolkata Travel Packages: Tourist Places and Things To Do in Kolkata
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Flights to Kolkata : You can take flights to Kolkata. Major airline operators such as Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and kingfisher Airlines have flights carrying passengers in and out of Kolkata.
Trains to Kolkata : You can also take trains to Kolkata as the state is well connected with all parts of India The city has three major railway stations: Howrah, Kolkata (Chitpur) and Sealdah Howrah, Kolkata (Chitpur) and Sealdah. The three stations connect Delhi to various parts of the country.
Buses to Kolkata : You can book bus tickets to Kolkata. Most of the major bus operators run frequent bus services between Kolkata and many other cities.
Car Hire in Kolkata : To experience Kolkata at your own pace you can take a care hire. Hire a cab and get enchanted by the captivating locations of Kolkata. You can also hire a cab for excursions from Kolkata.
