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Kolkata
[ Edit ] Overview
The city of Kolkata or Calcutta as it was formerly known was established in 1690 by the East India Company as a base for its commercial activities. This developed into a major British settlement over the years and is now the third largest metropolitan city in the country.
It is believed that the city came to be named Kolkata from one of the 3 villages in the area called Kalikata before the arrival of the British. With the arrival of the British the name got anglicized to Calcutta. Till 1911 Kolkata was the capital of British India and most of the buildings and architecture from those times still prevail here. In 2001 the government official changed the name to Kolkata.
[ Edit ] History
Quick Facts
[ Edit ] State
[ Edit ] Location
Kolkata located on the east bank of River Hooghly is located at a distance of
- Delhi: 1307 kms
[ Edit ] Best Time To Visit
October to March.
[ Edit ] Tourist Offices
Government of India tourist office,
4 Shakespeare Sarani, Kolkata.
[ Edit ] STD Code
033
Sightseeing
[ Edit ] B.B.D Bagh (Dalhousie Square)
BBD Bagh or Dalhousie square as it was called in the past, was the centre of power during the days of the British. The square was later named BBD Bagh after 3 freedom fighters, Binay, Badal and Dinesh, who shot the British inspector general of police in 1930.
Writers Building dating back to 1880 is on the north side of the square. Clerical workers called ‘writers’ during the time of the British used to work in this building. It is now used by West Bengal government as their office.
The General Post Office(GPO) built in the 1860s stand on the site of the original Fort William.
On the southern side of the square is Raj Bhavan, the residence of the state government. The house was built in the 18th century.
[ Edit ] Eden Gardens
Eden Gardens to the north west of the maidan is famous for its cricket ground where international cricket matches are held. The garden was designed in 1841 by Emily and Fanny Eden, sisters of governor general Lord Auckland. At the garden there is also a tiny Burmese pagoda set in a small lake. The pagoda was brought from Prome, Burma by Lord Dalhousie in 1854.
[ Edit ] Fort William and Maidan
Completed in 1781, Fort William was built by the British as a massive and impregnable fort in place of an older mud fort. The large part of forest land around the fort was cleared to make room for the cannons to have a clear line of fire. Today the fort is used by Indian Army’s Eastern command while the cleared out forest area is a maidan stretching over 980 acres. Strand Road along the river is on the west of the maidan while Shahid Minar and Chowringhee road with shops, eateries, hotels and offices to the east. To the south is Tolly’s Nalla where you find the racecourse and Victoria Memorial, to the north is Raj Bhavan and to the north-west of the maidan is Eden Gardens.
[ Edit ] Howrah Bridge
The Howrah Bridge, also called Rabindra Setu bridge, is a cantilever bridge that crosses the river Hooghly in a single 450 m span with no piers at all within the river. Probably one of the busiest bridges in the world, it connects the main railway station of Calcutta with the industrial city of Howrah.
[ Edit ] Indian Museum
Built in 1875, the Indian museum is located on the corner of Sudder Street and Chowringhee Road. This multipurpose and multi-disciplinary institution is one of the first museums of its kind in Asia. Built around a courtyard are two storeys of galleries. The museum has exhibits that date back to 2500BC Indus valley civilization, sculpture from Gandhara, Kalighat paintings, Chadela sculptures dating to the 11th century, fossils, ornaments, antiques etc.
- Open Tuesday- Sunday. Entrance fees apply.
[ Edit ] Jorasanko
Built in 1785 Jorasanko is the ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore. It is a 3 storied red brick structure which has now been extended and turned into Rabindra Bharati University, specializing in Bengali cultural forms. The original house is preserved as a museum and traces the history of the Tagore family and also has a large collection of memorabilia and paintings done by Rabindranath Tagore.
- Museum is open Tuesday- Sunday.
- Entrance fees apply.
[ Edit ] Kalighat
Kalighat is Kolkata’s oldes pilgrimage site. The Kali temple here is among one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations for Hindus. Located on the banks of the Hooghly river the temple is 2km south of St Paul’s Cathedral.
- Open daily.
[ Edit ] Mother House and Nirmal Hridaya
Mother house is the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity organization formed by Mother Teresa in 1950. Mother Teresa’s final resting place is on the ground floor of the hall here.
Nirmal Hridaya located near the Kalighat temple is Mother Teresa’s home for the destitute. There is a large and very clean hall with several beds where the sick are cared for by the nuns here. Volunteers need to register at Mothers house if they would like to offer their services to Nirmal Hridaya.
- Open Friday – Wednesday.
[ Edit ] Nakhoda Mosque
The largest mosque in Kolkata, Nokhoda Mosque built in 1926 is located north of BBD Square. The design of the mosque is based of the design of Akbar’s tomb at Sikandra. Built of red sandstone the mosque has two 46m high minarets.
The neighborhood around the mosque has some fascinating 19th century bazaars and mansions.
- Open daily. Non Muslims are not allowed in during the prayer times.
[ Edit ] Shahid Minar
Built in 1828, the monument was then known as Ochterlony Monument after Sir David Ochterlony who was a dare devil soldier who led the British to victory in the Anglo Nepal war. Located in the northern part of the maidan, the tower stands 48m high and combines Turkish, Syrian and Egyptian architectural styles.
[ Edit ] St John's Church
Established in 1787, St John’s Church is located south of BBD Bagh. The church has an exquisite stained glass panel depicting the scene from ‘the last supper’. The 12 disciples in the picture are faces of British personalities of that time.
The graveyard here has an octagonal mausoleum of Job Charnock, the founder of Calcutta and Admiral Watson amongst others.
- Open daily.
[ Edit ] St Paul's Cathedral
Located to the east of the Victoria Memorial and south of the Maidan, the cathedral was built between 1839-1847. The original structure got damaged due to an earthquake and so the cathedral was redesigned and rebuilt. Surrounded by sprawling gardens the high vaulted interiors of the cathedral has beautiful mural paintings depicting the life and work of St Paul and its excellent stained glass windows.
- Open daily.
[ Edit ] Sunderban National Park
While 166 kms away, Kolkata is the gateway for most tourists trying to get to Sunderban National Park - often referred to as "The Sunderbans" and a World Heritage Site (UNESCO). Sunderban National Park is a vast swampy delta covering parts of West Bengal and Bangladesh with small islands and swamps with a complex network of small rivers, streams, tidal waterways, and mudflats with salt-tolerant mangrove forests. The Park is famous for its incredible beauty and wildlife - with the largest concentration of Royal Bengal Tigers in India and its tidal waterways and the largest mangrove forests in the world. more
[ Edit ] Things To Do
Go to Birla planetarium located at the crossing of Chowringhee Road and Theatre Road or Shakespeare Sarani. It is said to the largest planetarium not only in India but in all of south east Asia.
Volunteer at Mother Teresa’s home for the destitute, Nirmal Hridaya.
[ Edit ] Victoria Memorial
Victorial Memorial, a landmark monument of the British Raj, was conceived by Lord Curson(then Viceroy of India) as a fitting memorial to Queen Victoria after she died in 1901. Located at the southern end of the Maidan, the building was built with marble from Makrana in Jodhpur, Rajasthan (the same kind that was used for the Taj Mahal).
The foundation stone for the building was laid in 1906 by the Prince of Wales and the structure was completed in 1921 with funds provided by princes and citizens. Designed by William Emerson, the building is surrounded by a large and exquisite garden.
Surmounting the dome of the building is a 20ft high bronze revolving figure of the ‘Angel of Victory’ with a trumpet in her hand. At the main entrance there is a bronze statue of Queen Victoria. Today the memorial is a museum holding a remarkable collection of British artifacts, excellent Indian and British paintings, manuscripts, Mughal miniatures, books, statues etc.
- Open: Tuesday – Sunday.
- Entrance fees:
Indians : Rs10; Foreigners : Rs150. - Photography not allowed inside.
Planning a Trip
Getting There
[ Edit ] Air
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport at Dum Dum located 15 km from the city.
[ Edit ] Rail
The city of Kolkata has two major railway stations, Howrah and Sealdah.
[ Edit ] Road
Kolkata is connected by road to most major cities and towns in the country.
Driving distances to Kolkata from:
- Allahabad: 808 kms
- Bhubaneshwar: 482 kms
- Delhi: 1,307 kms
- Digha: 187 kms
- Murshidabad: 225 kms
- Puri: 557 kms
- Shantiniketan: 212 kms
- Sunderban National Park: 166 kms
- Varanasi: 680 kms
[ Edit ] Getting Around
There is a choice of underground metro rail which is clean, tram which offers a nice and relaxed ride if it is not too crowded, taxis which are very easily available , auto rickshaw and cycle rickshaws. Most of the public transport in Kolkata can get extremely crowded and quite uncomfortable and so most visitors like to hire a taxi or auto rickshaw for the day. The city is divided by the Hooghly River and ferry boats ply between destinations on the two banks.
[ Edit ] Other Information
Nightlife
Most 5 star hotels in Kolkata have discotheques. They have cover charges to enter but in most places girls enter free. As anywhere else in India the charges are very high and the alcohol is very expensive. Most people come dressed in smart casuals. Some of the frequented night clubs are London Pub, Incognito at the Taj and Tantra at the Park hotel.
[ Edit ] Shopping
The New Market on Linday street is the most famous shopping area in Kokata. Built in 1874 the market was then call Sir Stuart Hogg New Municipal Market. This covered market has almost anything you may think of, from food, meat, curios, souvenirs, jewellery, hardware etc. The other popular markets are Gariahat, Bhowanipore, Bowbazaar and Maniktola.
Most shops in Kolkata are open from 10am – 7pm Monday to Friday and till 2pm on Saturdays.
[ Edit ] Food
Park Street considered as downtown Kolkata has a wide choice of restaurants. Shiraz at Park Street is a Mughlai restaurant which is very popular in Kolkata for its biryani amongst other dishes. Trincas, a reasonably priced restaurant with a live band has been operating since the 1940’s. The restaurant is a common haunt for the locals who go there to try one of their platters and enjoy a pitcher of beer in the company of a live band.
Kolkatans, especially those from South Kolkata, love their Rolls. Originally introduced by Nizam's at Esplanade as a Mutton Roll, there are today many variations of the same, including Chicken Egg, Double Mutton Single Egg etc. A mini-meal by itself, rolls in Kolkata can be enjoyed at Nizam's, Bedwin at Gariahat, Kusum at Park Street, and Bawarchi - a chain. Bawarchi has introduced some innovations like a Roll No. 1, which has a boiled egg instead of the usual fried egg.
Local Snacking Options include Kabiraji Cutlet at Regent (SN Banerjee Road), Mughlai Paratha (Anandi Cabin at SN Banerjee Road), Chicken Cutlet (Baked & Fried, at Ballygunge Place). Traditional Bengali dishes that you must try are Kosha Mangsho (Golbari at Shyam Bazaar), Phulkopir Singara (Mrityunjoy at Lansdowne Road), Daab Chingri at Kewpies (Elgin Lane) and Mochar Chop from Apanjan on Sadananda Road. For Street Food, try Puchka (Bengali equivalent of Golgappa or Panipuri, with mustard flavor), Churmur and Doi Puchka at Bilas or Boudi on Southern Avenue.
For Chinese food head to China town at Tangra which is a little bit outside the city. There are several good Chinese restaurants here which serve delicious and reasonably priced Chinese food. Chinese Pavillion at Ballygunge is a well known Chinese restaurant in Kolkata. Momos or Tibetan dimsums are found very easily across the city. Lee Road and Elgin road have several restaurants specializing in momos.
For North Indian cuisine like tikkas, tandooris, naan etc try Dhaba at Ballygunge.
Traditional Bengali Sweets are a must try for anyone with a sweet tooth. Most of the old sweet shops are found in North Kolkata. Nakur, at Manicktala, opened in 1844, and is a Sandesh specialist. They make a variety of types of sandesh, including innovations such as strawberry sandesh and other sweets like Golapi peda, mousumi, parijat, gurer kanchagolla and chocolate jolbhora. They also make special liquor sandesh, which can only be bought on order and is not available over the counter. Bhim Nag at Bowbazaar, on the other hand, is the original maker of the Sandesh, which he introduced in 1826. However, the shop is much more known for its Ledikeni (much like a Gulabjamun), named after Lady Canning, who visited Calcutta with Lord Canning in 1856. They also make Mihidana, paradise sandesh, rose-cream sandesh, abar khabo and dilkhush. Ballram Mullick in Bhawanipur, is probably the most famous old sweet shop which is not in North Kolkata. Open since 1885, they are famour for Guli Sandesh, and also sell Makha sandesh, narom-pak jolbhora, aside from new creations such as baked rashogolla, amrita paturi sandesh and chocolate bon bons. Other popular sweet shops are Sen Mahashay and Chittaranjan Mishthano Bhandaar, both at Shyambazaar. Chittaranjan is most famous for his sponge roshogollas, even though it was originally created by another shop - Nabin Chandra Das of Bagbazaar.
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