Information About Kolkata Tourism
About
Kolkata
A
visit
to
Calcutta
can
be
the
most
memorable
holiday
you
have.
Perfect
strangers
strike
up
a
conversation
with
the
tourist
in
Calcutta
about
the
previous
day's
match.
Cab
drivers
ply
the
traveller
on
his
first
visit
to
Kolkata
with
innumerable
tales.
Shopkeepers
dole
out
a
rupee's
worth
of
goods,
and
ten
of
advice.
On
buses,
in
trams,
in
the
tea
shop
around
the
corner,
complete
strangers
turn
into
comrades
as
they
pore
over
the
day's
papers.
As the day grows old, tourists pour in to admire the vestiges of the first love of the British Raj. They hold hands outside the Victoria Memorial, speak in hushed tones under the roof of the St Paul's Cathedral, stare wide-eyed at the wonders in the Indian Museum. Knowing fully well that what they're seeing inside these buildings on their vacation in Calcutta is as rare and precious as the building itself.
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. The air is rent with the fragrance of camphor, vermilion, ghee, the sharp smell of new clothes and pungent aromas from the kitchen as an excited babble of voices blends with the resonance of chants and hymns, giving the holidaymaker in Calcutta a sense of home.
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
As the day grows old, tourists pour in to admire the vestiges of the first love of the British Raj. They hold hands outside the Victoria Memorial, speak in hushed tones under the roof of the St Paul's Cathedral, stare wide-eyed at the wonders in the Indian Museum. Knowing fully well that what they're seeing inside these buildings on their vacation in Calcutta is as rare and precious as the building itself.
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. The air is rent with the fragrance of camphor, vermilion, ghee, the sharp smell of new clothes and pungent aromas from the kitchen as an excited babble of voices blends with the resonance of chants and hymns, giving the holidaymaker in Calcutta a sense of home.
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
How To Reach
How
to
Reach:
Kolkata by 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.
How to reach Kolkata by 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. Super-fast trains such as Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express connect the city to Delhi and nearby cities such as Bokaro and Rourkela. Coromandel Express and Gitanjali Express connect Kolkata to Chennai and Mumbai respectively.;
How to reach Kolkata by 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.
How to travel in Kolkata?
Travel in Kolkata is fairly convenient as the city has virtually all the different modes of transport - trams, buses, rickshaws, metered taxis, minibuses, Metro. For local transport, Kolkata Metro is India's first underground railway network and a clean, efficient mode of getting around the city. Other options to explore the city are taxis, trams, and buses.
The services are basic and crowded but cheap. Travel by Ship: Mechanized boats and ships are available on a regular basis to make trips to tourist attractions like the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. One should contact the offices of the Shipping Corporation of India on 13, Strand Road for more information on schedules. Luxury cruises are also operational between Kolkata and Haldia, a modern port city nearby.
Kolkata by 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.
How to reach Kolkata by 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. Super-fast trains such as Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express connect the city to Delhi and nearby cities such as Bokaro and Rourkela. Coromandel Express and Gitanjali Express connect Kolkata to Chennai and Mumbai respectively.;
How to reach Kolkata by 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.
How to travel in Kolkata?
Travel in Kolkata is fairly convenient as the city has virtually all the different modes of transport - trams, buses, rickshaws, metered taxis, minibuses, Metro. For local transport, Kolkata Metro is India's first underground railway network and a clean, efficient mode of getting around the city. Other options to explore the city are taxis, trams, and buses.
The services are basic and crowded but cheap. Travel by Ship: Mechanized boats and ships are available on a regular basis to make trips to tourist attractions like the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. One should contact the offices of the Shipping Corporation of India on 13, Strand Road for more information on schedules. Luxury cruises are also operational between Kolkata and Haldia, a modern port city nearby.
Details
Calcutta
Guide:
A
walk
along
Chowringhee
Road
sets
the
pace
as
you
set
out
to
unravel
the
rare
beauty
of
this
city.
Across
the
road
sweeps
a
huge,
lush
green,
open
parkland
called
the
Maidan,
centering
around
Fort
William,
the
massive
and
impregnable
British
Citadel
built
in
1773.
The
fort
is
still
in
use
and
retains
its
well
guarded
grandeur.
Visitors
are
allowed
in
with
special
permission
only.
Along
St
George’s
Gate
Road,
on
the
southern
fringe
of
the
Maidan,
your
sight
is
arrested
by
a
splendid
monument
in
white
Makrana
marble.
Built
in
Italian
Renaissance
cum
Saracenic
style,
Victoria
Memorial
was
planned
by
Lord
Curzon
and
opened
by
the
Prince
of
Wales
in
1921.
This
British
attempt
at
building
a
second
Taj
Mahal
,
is
dedicated
to
Queen
Victoria
and
houses
a
fantastic
collection
of
rare
memorabilia
from
colonial
days.
A
light
and
sound
show
recreates
history
every
evening.
The
adjoining
Race
Course,
built
in
1819,
is
one
of
the
best
in
the
east
and
is
the
scene
of
much
gaiety,
especially
during
the
winter
season.Northwards,
along
Chowringhee
Road,
stands
the
Birla
Planetarium,
one
of
the
largest
in
the
world.
The
central
dome
measures
25
mts
in
diameter.Located
on
Chowringhee
Road
is
the
Indian
Museum
built
in
1877
in
Italian
style
of
architecture.
Walk
in
to
a
varied
collection
of
exhibits
that
include
unique
fossils,
Buddhist
Gandharan
art,
an
Egyptian
mummy
and
a
roomful
of
memories
!The
48
mt
tower
of
Ochterlony
Monument
,
now
renamed
Shahid
Minar
,
holds
command
at
the
northern
end
of
the
Maidan.And
the
mighty
river
Hooghly
beckons.At
the
northern
end
of
the
Maidan,
towards
the
river,
is
the
Old
British
Government
house
now
called
Raj
Bhavan
.
Built
in
1803,
modelled
on
Lord
Curzon’s
home,
Keddleston
Hall,
Derbyshire,
England,
this
is
now
the
official
residence
of
the
Governor
of
Bengal.
There
are
many
rare
works
of
art
and
other
interesting
items.
Entry
is
restricted.
A
walk
across
is
the
Town
Hall
,
built
in
1813,
in
Doric
style
of
architecture.
It
is
now
the
City
Magistrate’s
Office.Don’t
let
the
riverfront
mesmerize
you
yet
!Between
the
Town
Hall
and
the
Strand
is
the
Calcutta
High
Court
,
scene
of
legendary
legal
battles.
Completed
in
1872,
the
Gothic
architectural
style
was
copied
from
the
Staadhans
at
Ypres,
Belgium.
The
tower
measures
55
mts.
The
Howrah
Bridge
and
the
Vidyasagar
Setu
frame
the
skyline
of
the
riverfront.
The
ambience
is
as
amicable
and
profound
as
the
river
that
flows
alongside.But,
turn
back
to
your
trail
of
discovery.
Dalhousie
Square
was
the
administrative
centre
for
British
India.
On
one
side
is
the
General
Post
Office,
a
majestic
specimen
of
Edwardian
architecture.
It
is
built
on
the
site
of
the
original
Fort
William.
On
the
other
side
stands
Writers’
Building
,
a
massive
Gothic
structure
with
lonic
pillars
–
still
the
house
of
political
power.
The
dulcet
whispers
of
history
echo
through
the
old
mansions
of
Hindu
aristocrats
in
North
Calcutta.
One
such
old
house,
Tagore
House,
at
Jorasanko,
is
the
birth
place
of
Rabindranath
Tagore,
India’s
greatest
modern
poet.
Converted
to
Rabindra
Bharati
University,
it
is
now
a
centre
for
Indian
Classical
Fine
Arts.
At
Chorbagan
is
the
Marble
Palace
built
in
1840
by
Raja
Rajendra
Mullick,
now
a
museum.
Spend
your
afternoon
among
precious
objects
d’art
including
works
of
Rubens
and
Sir
Joshua
Reynolds.When
tired,
take
a
tram
ride
along
Red
Road
with
the
green
expanse
of
the
Maidan
around
you.
The
perfect
antidote.
A
little
away,
in
the
south
of
Calcutta,
is
a
stately
mansion.
Once
home
of
the
British
Viceroys,
Belvedere
House
is
now
the
National
Library.
It
houses
over
a
million
books
and
is
the
biggest
in
India.A
must
is
a
day
spent
at
Science
City.
Pick
your
special
thrill
at
this
exposition
park.
A
space
theatre,
space
flight
simulator,
recreated
Jurassic
forest,
aviary
and
butterfly
corner
and
much
more
!
The
Missionaries
of
Charity
is
a
new
order
formed
in
1950
by
Mother
Teresa.
Their
vow
‘to
give
wholehearted
and
free
service
to
the
poorest
of
the
poor’
was
put
into
action
with
the
setting
up
of
several
homes.Visit
Mother
Teresa’s
tomb
at
the
Mother
House
and
witness
the
generosity
of
the
her
spirit
at
Nirmal
Hriday
(home
for
the
dying)
,
Shanti
Nagar
(for
lepers)
and
Nirmala
Shishu
Bhavan
(the
children’s
home).For
voluntary
work
with
the
Mission
,
in
India,
you
may
contact
the
London
branch
of
the
Missionaries
of
Charity,
41
Villiers
Road,
Southall
,
Middlesex
,
UK,
or
write
in
to
the
"Mother
House",
54A,
Lower
Circular
Road
,
Calcutta
700
014.
The
Green
Belt
Enjoying
a
different
Calcutta
at
the
:
Maidan
:
Three
km
in
length
and
over
one
km
in
width,
the
rambling
green
is
the
‘lung
of
Calcutta’.
Dotted
with
colourful
maidan
clubs,
the
area
is
a
hub
of
perse
activities.
Eden
Gardens
:
Named
after
Lord
Auckland’s
sister,
this
picturesque
garden
has
a
tiny
Burmese
pagoda
set
in
a
small
lake.
It
also
houses
Calcutta’s
Cricket
Stadium.
Outram
Ghat,
Ganges
riverfront
:
A
pleasant
walk
.
View
the
majesty
of
the
busiest
bridge
in
the
world,
the
Howrah
Bridge
and
the
Vidyasagar
Setu
–
an
awesome
structural
feat
.
Or
enjoy
a
cruise
on
the
river
in
a
panshi.
Zoological
Garden
:
Covers
16
hectares
of
land
and
built
in
1876.
The
lakes
within
are
a
favourite
retreat
for
migratory
Siberian
birds.
Horticultural
Garden
:
The
lush
environ
is
also
the
venue
for
exotic
plant
and
flower
exhibitions.
Rabindra
Sarovar
:
A
park
and
picnic
spot
with
a
central
lake
and
overhanging
trees.
The
rowing
regatta
events
are
held
here.
THE
SPIRITUAL
SOJOURN
Kalighat
:
According
to
the
legend,
when
Lord
Shiva’s
wife
Parvati’s
body
was
cut
up,
one
of
her
fingers
fell
here.
Rebuilt
in
1809,
this
is
an
important
shrine
of
Hindu
Shakti
worship.
The
temple
is
in
the
southern
part
of
the
city.
Dakshineswar
Kali
Temple
and
Belur
Math
:
Built
in
1847,
on
the
banks
of
the
Hooghly,
north
of
Calcutta,
the
temple
is
associated
with
Shri
Ramakrishna
,
the
eclectic
19th
century
saint
who
revived
Hinduism
during
the
British
Raj.
Across
the
river
stands
Belur
Math,
headquarters
of
Ramakrishna
Mission.
The
monastery
is
a
haven
of
peace
and
religious
harmony.
Ramakrishna
Mission
Institute
of
Culture
:
Commemorates
the
birth
centenary
of
Shri
Ramakrishna
Paramahansa.
Religious
discourses
and
cultural
exchanges
are
held
here
among
international
scholars.
The
institute
is
located
at
Golpark.
Nakhoda
Mosque
:
Modelled
on
Akbar’s
tomb
in
Sikandra,
the
red
sandstone
mosque
has
two
minarets
46
mts
high,
a
brightly
painted
onion
shaped
dome
and
can
accommodate
10,000
people.
Built
in
1926
and
located
on
Chitpur
Road.
St
John’s
Church
:
Built
in
1787
with
Grecian
columns.
The
burial
ground
has
the
mausoleum
of
Job
Charnock,
founder
of
Calcutta.
On
the
north-west
side
of
Raj
Bhavan.
St
Paul’s
Cathedral
:
Constructed
between
1839
and
1847
in
Gothic
style
with
stained
glass
windows
and
two
Florentine
frescoes,
the
cathedral
is
the
largest
in
the
city
and
next
to
the
Birla
Planetarium.
St
Paul’s
was
conscerated
in
1874.
Armenian
Church
:
The
oldest
place
of
Christian
worship
in
Calcutta.
The
church
of
Holy
Nazareth
was
built
in
1764.Among
the
other
churches
to
visit
are
St
Andrew’s
Church.
The
Old
Mission
Church
and
the
Greek
Orthodox
Church.
Jewish
Synagogues
:
The
Maghen
David
Synagogue
on
Jewish
Synagogue
Street
and
the
BETHEL
on
Pollock
Street
are
very
old
worship
houses
and
a
reminder
to
the
cosmopolitan
nature
of
the
city.
Parsi
Fire
Temples
:
They
cater
to
the
religious
needs
of
the
prominent
Parsi
community
of
Calcutta.
Located
on
Metcalf
Street
and
Beliaghata.
Japanese
Buddhist
Temple
:
Located
on
the
banks
of
Rabindra
Sarovar.
Pareshnath
Jain
Temple
:
The
temple
is
an
ornate
mass
of
mirrors,
coloured
stones
and
glass
mosaic,
and
overlooks
a
beautiful
garden.
It
is
in
Shyambazar.
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