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Howrah Bridge |
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Howrah Bridge is an engineering marvel and is counted amongst the busiest cantilever bridge in the World. This Bridge is popularly known as Rabindra Setu. The bridge connects Kolkata and Howrah and is the lifeline of the city. The best way to enjoy its stately beauty is to view it from the middle of the river. The bridge is one of the four on the Hooghly River and is a famous symbol of Kolkata and West Bengal. The other bridges are the Vidyasagar Setu (popularly called the Second Hooghly Bridge), the Vivekananda Setu and the newly built engineering marvel Nivedita Setu. Apart from bearing the stormy weather of the Bay of Bengal region, it successfully bears the weight of a daily traffic of approximately 80,000 vehicles and, possibly, more than 1,000,000 pedestrians. It is the sixth longest bridge of its type in the world. |
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Fort William |
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 Fort William completed in 1781 to serve as an impregnable fort at Maidan, Fort William, named after King William III, now serves as the Military Head quarters of the Eastern Command, which can accommodate a garrison of 10,000 men and has huge green expanse giving lung space to a chocked city. Today this fort is the property of the Indian Army with a provision to accommodate 10,000 army personnel. The fort still stands as before, except the St. Peter’s Church which no longer exists. The fort is built in a shape of an octagon. A telephone office, recreation club, canteen, cinema hall, restaurant, swimming pool and wide moat surround it. A museum inside the fort consists of arms and armors, swords, muskets and machine guns kept on display for the visitors. |
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Bellur Math |
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 Belur Math is the most enchanting temple in Belur. In 1897 Swami Vivekananda founded Ramakrishna Mission in loving memory of his Guru Ramakrishna Paramhansa who preached unity of all religions. It is the international head quarters of Ramakrishna Mission. Swami Vivekananda is largely credited with the concept of the Math. This mission has branches all over the country. The architecture of the structure is very interesting. From any angle you look at it the structure is like a temple, a mosque or a church depending on the way you look at it.The main gate of Belur Math leads to the Ramkrishna Sarada Mandir. The mission was founded by Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) in 1938 and named after his mentor Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa (1836- 1886). The Belur Math was constructed on 14th January 1938. Swami Vivekananda was the linchpin behind its construction. He patronized the growth and development of the 'Math' or abbey since 1898. The architecture amalgamates within itself a unique specimen of fraternity. |
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St. Paul's Cathedral |
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 Located on the south-east corner of the Maidan, St. Paul's Cathedral was designed by Major W. N. Forbes in an Indo-Gothic architectural style and built in 1839. Rev. Daniel Wilson, the Bishop of Calcutta was the major financial contributor towards the building of St. Paul's Cathedral. The peak of St.Paul's Cathedral has been designed as a replica of the famous Canterbury Cathedral's Henry Tower.One of the prized possession of the Cathedral is the "Communion Plate" which Queen Victoria bestowed upon Bishop Wilson. The stained glass of the western window, designed in 1880 by Sir Edward Burne Jones is indeed marvelous and during the sunset the reflection through the window is truly ethereal. The Cathedral also has beautiful Florentine frescoes, which are of outstanding quality. For devout Christians and people with an interest in art and architecture, a visit to this majestic Raj-era cathedral is indeed very inspiring. |
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Indian Museum |
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 Indian Museum, Courtyard of the Indian Museum, Calcutta, India. in Calcutta, oldest museum in India and one of the most comprehensive in the Orient; its collections depict the cultural history of India from prehistoric to Muslim times. The present building, opened in 1875, comprises sections devoted to geology, zoology, industry, archaeology, art, and ethnology. The coin room contains the largest collection of Indian coins in the world.The Art Section comprises Tibetan temple banners, metal images, enamelled wares, bidriwares, ornaments, silver wares, glass wares, pottery, ivory and bone work, wooden sculptures, leather objects, lacquered toys. The Archaeological Section displays stone-age artifacts from India and abroad, pre-historic antiquities from Mohenjodaro, Harappa The Anthropological Section displays numerous objects of material cultures of both tribal and non-tribal peoples of India. The extensive Geological Section has over 80,000 specimens, displayed in four galleries showing varieties of meteorites, precious stones, ornamental building stones, rocks and minerals and fossils. |
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Victoria Memorial |
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 The Victoria Memorial that was opened in 1921 also serves as a museum where people could see before various exhibits in the form of pictures and statues of men who played a significant role in determining the course of pre independence India.While browsing through these exhibits, one will be able to trace the unrest that preceded Indian Independence and will be filled with pride to get a glimpse of their past especially in relation to the history of Calcutta. The Victoria Memorial Hall was conceived by Lord Curzon and he sure was a visionary at that as presently it is the finest and most prominent building and art museum of Calcutta, India, under the Department of Culture, Government of India. The Victoria Memorial, Kolkata (Calcutta) is the largest treasure trove in India, when it comes to a visual history of Calcutta. The Memorial houses a major collection of paintings, sculptures and manuscripts from the British period. |
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Eden Garden |
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 Long association with the British enables Kolkata to boast of numerous locations remembered due to their association with certain individuals, like the Eden Gardens. The garden, as the name suggests, is where two sisters (one of them named Eden) related to the Governor of Auckland, spend hours during their leisurely strolls. The cricket stadium built next to the garden is also aptly named after the garden.Considered to be the largest cricket stadium in the world the Eden Gardens boast of a capacity of 1,20,000. Witnessing a cricket match at Eden Gardens jam packed with spectators is any cricket lover's dream come true. The mammoth score board and the flood lights just add to the cricket zing. One may get a glimpse of the stadium upon request to the chowkidar, otherwise entry is restricted to the stadium. The adjoining garden can visited from 0900-2000hr daily. Also try and visit the Mohun Bagan football club nearby. |
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BBD Bagh |
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 The Dalhousie square was an important hub of power during British rule in Kolkata. Kolkata was the administrative center of the British regime and this area was the heart of Kolkata and still continues to remain the same. Now the Dalhousie square or the BBD Bagh, houses many important buildings and offices, which contribute to the heritage of the city. In the beginning, the square was named after the Governor General of India, Lord Dalhousie from 1847 to 1856, but was renamed as BBD Bagh to mark the three patriots of Bengal, Binoy, Badal, Dinesh. They martyred for the country`s independence and history encases their contributions. BBD Bagh and its surrounding roads and areas like Netaji Subhash Road, Biplabi Trailakya Maharaj (formerly Brabourne) Sarani, Lyons Range, India Exchange Place, Mission Row, R.N. Mukherjee Road and Fairlie Place form the older commercial hub of the city. |
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Botanical Gardens |
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 The Botanical Gardens was founded in 1786 beside the Hooghly in Shibpur. Weekend Getaways from Kolkata, Tours to Botanical Garden Kolkata, Kolkata Weekend HolidaysThe garden was started in order to promote Indian floral wealth covering an area of 110 hectares. The major tourist attraction of theo garden is a 250-year-old, 98 feet high, banyan tree (Ficus Bengalhensis) with a circumference of 1,300 feet. it contains over 30,000 varieties of trees and plants. The garden's main attraction is the world's largest banyan tree, 200 years old with over 600 aerial roots. Thus the scrumptious Assam and Darjeeling teas trace their roots to this garden. Apart from the regular Indian species it is also possible to be amongst some rare breeds straight from the Amazon and Congo basins, Brazil, Sumatra as well as Java. The grand sight of soaring Mahogany trees, enchanting and natural Orchid House and the glorious Cuban Palms is a memory of a lifetime. |
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Birla Planetarium |
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 Birla Planetarium is one of the largest planetariums of Asia. The planetarium started its functioning from September 29, 1962 as an educational, scientific and research institution whichwas inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The internal diameter of the tomb is 82 feet. The auditorium has a capacity of 500 persons.The Planetarium owns an astronomical observatory equipped with a Celestron C-14 Telescope with accessories such as ST6 CCD Camera, Solar Filter etc. An Electronics Laboratory for design and fabrication of scientific equipment is also present inside the planetarium. The laboratory has now developed an Automation System for executing special effects and visuals during a planetarium show. The planetarium organizes special shows during solar and lunar eclipses. Calcutta Birla planetarium is a single storied circular edifice designed in the typical Indian style. It is a must see place for those interested in astronomy. Its astronomy gallery maintains a huge collection of fine paintings & celestial models of renowned astronomers. It enables you to explore science outdoors. |
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Dakshineswar Kali Temple |
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 Dakshineswar Kali Temple 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.The temple compound, apart from the nine-spired main temple, contains a large courtyard surrounding the temple, with rooms along the boundary walls. There are twelve shrines dedicated to the aspects of Shiva, Kali's companion, along the riverfront, a temple to Radha-Krishna, a bathing ghat on the river, a bookshop, a shrine to Rani Rashmoni. The chamber in the northwestern corner just beyond the last of the Shiva temples, is where Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa spent a considerable part of his life. |
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Marble Palace |
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 Marble Palace, Kolkata located close to the Tagore's residence in the northern part of the city and certainly a worth watching place in Calcutta (now Kolkata). Marble Palace, Kolkata houses an age-old art gallery owned by the Mallick family of Chorbagan. Built in 1855 with Italian marbles by one of Bengal's richest landlord Raja Rajendra Mullick Bahadur, this art gallery personifies the earliest effort at collecting by a private individual.This architectural masterpiece is made from the extensive use of Italian marble. The lush green lawn in front of it is clad with statues of Hindu Gods, The Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, the great explorer Christopher Columbus, Lord Buddha and some lions. The Marble Palace in Kolkata was named so by Lord Minto as 126 different types of marbles, accumulated from different corners of the country were employed to give shape to this one of a kind architectural delight. |
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Science City |
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 Located on the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, this is newest addition to Kolkata's long list of tourist attractions. This architectural showpiece has more than just its external grandeur. A showcase of scientific applications, this is the first and the only institution of its kind in India. The different sections of the complex include the Space odyssey, Dynamotion, Life Science Corners, Science Park, Toy Train & Ropeway , the Dinosaurs Complex and others.The main auditorium of the Convention Centre complex can accommodate over 2000 people, while the mini auditorium has a capacity of about 400. There are 8 seminar halls complete with latest audio-visual systems. Open on all weekdays except Mondays the Science city is one place to get lost in the cycle of evolution with roaring dinosaurs, mammoths, sabre tooths and many other Jurassic life size creatures. Hold your breath all these activities can be undertaken within a budget of Rs 100/- per head, just make sure that you reach early so that you don’t regret the lack of time for not being able to do justice to each section. |
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Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary |
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 Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is an exciting wildlife holiday destination. The sanctuary situated in Jalpaiguri District of West Bengal is about 124 km from Siliguri. Established in 1941 for the protection of wild animals in particular for rhinos, Jaldapara has the largest concentration of one-horned rhino in India after Kaziranga. Spread over 114 sq km of area, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary holds the largest expanse of terai grasslands in North Bengal intersected with riverine forests, dry-mixed forests and wet-forests. This sanctuary was established in the year 1941 for the protection of one-horned rhinos. The one–horned rhino, tiger, including the Royal Bengal Tiger, wild elephant, deer, bear, sambar, barking deer, hog Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, West Bengal deer, leopard, wild pig, bison and various other birds can also be seen here. Elephant safaris can be enjoyed at the Sanctuary. The best time to visit the sanctuary is between October and May. The nearest airport is situated at Bagdogra. Jaldapara is connected by road with Darjeeling and Siliguri. The Madarihat is the nearest railway station which is only 7 kms from the Sanctuary. |
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National Library |
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 The National library was hence opened for the public on 1st February 1953, after an inauguration by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. From then, the National library continues to be the cynosure for all literary pursuit going on in Kolkata and it keeps the tradition alive. Going through the library shelves, one can find that there are exclusive divisions of Indian and Foreign language books and publications. Today the National Library is the biggest public library which has a collection of 22,70,954 books along with a huge collection of manuscripts, newspapers and periodicals. This Library forms the nucleus of Kolkata`s intellectual craving. National library has a huge collection of books and periodicals received from different parts of the country. Here, you can find books in almost all the Indian languages. There are separate language divisions that process the information for their readers in their respective native languages. Some of the language divisions that maintain their own collection consist of Hindi, Kashmiri, Punjabi, Sindhi, Telugu and Urdu. Also, these language divisions help in solving the reference queries of their readers. There is a separate division for children that cater to their information and recreation needs |
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