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 | Kolkata (Calcutta) Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 233 |  |
Despite having read much about this 19th Century Palladium Marble Palace- which from the exterior is quite magnificent- we were amazed at what it contained inside. Very eccentric.
More than a museum, it is also an art gallery and a private home.
Built in 1835 by Raja Rajendra Mullik for his descendants, it is still occupied by the Mullik Bahadur family.
The Mullik family were avid collectors of art in every form- particuarly scultures (life-size).
I counted over 100 statues of every description- Venus's were popular- but many were just, well, statues.
Queen Victoria is represented in various forms- she seems also to have been popular with the Mullik family.
Victorian furniture, paintings by European and Indian artists, and other objets d'art cover every square inch of space. Large chandeliers, clocks, floor to ceiling mirrors, and busts of kings and queens appear in every single room. It is quite bizarre.
The house is said to contain two paintings by Rubens, "The Marriage of St. Catherine" and "The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian." There are also said to be two paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds, "The Infant Hercules Strangling the Serpent" and "Venus and Cupid". Other artists said to figure in the collections include Titian, Murillo, and John Opie.
One is supposed to have an official permit to enter- but, as usual in India, a bribe to the guard at the gate worked, and we were shown around by an unofficial "guide"
Photography inside is forbidden, and surprisingly, my offer of another bribe was refused.
The gardens were carefully laid out and have been cared for.
Located next to the palace is the Marble Palace Zoo, the first zoo opened in India, also by Raja Rajendra Mullick. It now primarily serves as an aviary, including peacocks, toucans, storks, and cranes.
This place is definitely worth a visit wehn in Kolkata. It is vast, and needs about 1 hour to see everything. Leave a Comment Address: 46, Muktaram Babu Street, KolkataDirections: Central Kolkata
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Definitely worth visiting this interesting place. The tomb of Mother Theresa is here, and all day long pilgrims of every nationality and religion visit to pay respects. The feeling of reverance is palpable- flowers bedeck the tomb, and people pray openly.
There is also a small museum attached, documenting the life of this remarkable & brave little woman.
Her worn-out sandals clearly show the shape of the feet that pounded the pavements of Kolkata, searching for souls that needed help-and letters that she wrote to the Government in protest of their refusal to give financial aid to her institution line the walls, along with letters of praise and encouragement that she recieved from world leaders.
Her simple personal possesions are enclosed in glass cabinets- her reading glasses, her note book and pencils.
Shoes have to be left at the door. Leave a Comment Address: 54 A/C Bose Road KolkataDirections: Opposite "The Web" internet cafe in the first avenue North of Ripon Street.
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I have always known about the history of this Kolkata Institution. I was thrilled to actually sit here, have a coffee, and absorb the atmosphere.
Famous sons of Kolkata, notably Rabindranath Tagore,Satyajit Ray and Subhas Chandra Bose frequented the Coffee House. The place became a meeting place for the poets, artistes, literati and people from the world of art and culture. In 1958, the management decided to shut down the Coffee House, but it was re-opened the same year, after professors of Presidency College and Calcutta University sent a special petition to the government, to save the heritage building. It has a very high ceiling, Punkah Fans, and a balcony upstairs.
The exterior of the Coffee House does not look inviting- but do go in and feel the atmosphere. Its a must-see in Kolkata.
Scholars, Poets, artists and writers like Tagore and Satyajit Ray would sit here and discuss & read their latest works. Several literary magazines owe their origin to the inspiration from the adda sessions at this coffee house.
It was also the breeding place of several political and cultural personalities and movements.
The fly-stained and faded walls have not changed or been upgraded. It must be exactly the way it always was. University students and scholars still frequent it. And the coffee is not as bad as some people might suggest. We met a delightful University Professor, and had interesting discussions with him for a few hours. Tagore photograph looks down on the patrons.
Basic snacks are available Leave a Comment Address: College Street KolkataDirections: North Kolkata (Central Metro station is nearest Metro stop)
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I found this to be one of the most interesting days that we spent in Kolkata. College Street is, of course, famous for its hundreds of bookstalls, and musty, dark bookshops- there are, however, treasures to be found in these shops.
I found so many books that I loved that I had to buy a new bag in order to get them all back to Australia.
What is amazing is that there seems to be no indexing facility, and there are no computers- but these wonderfully well spoken old gentlemen who run these shops know EXACTLY where to find the books that are requested.- within minutes, and they love to chat about the affairs of the world.
Also along College Street are various buildings of historical importance- The Calcutta University, which is the Alma Mater of many famous Kolkatans, is here, and The Medical College is in College Street
The famous Indian Coffee House is a good stop for a coffee and a chat. (see next tip)
This street is in the very old part of Kolkata, and not easy to find- the streets and lanes are not marked. My map-reading ability is not so great- I am sure that it will be found by anyone more capable than me!( I have added a map in the photo section) Leave a Comment Address: College Street KolkataDirections: North Kolkata (Central is nearest Metro Station) See my map in photos
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 The Beautiful Victoria
Memorial in Calcutta by Kumarjit |
 The Beautiful Grounds of
Maidan, Kolkata. by Kumarjit, 1 more photos
The Maidan is a vast stretch of open land in the heart of Calcutta, opposite to the Victoria Memorial, where many people go to have picnic, play light outdoor games and to get a ride on horseback. The Maidan is so green and so huge, that it is refered to as the ' Lungs of Kolkata( Calcutta )'. No other metropolitan city in India is having such sprawling acres of open space in the heart of the city.
It is best if you visit the Maidan in the evening. Many families visit the place in the evening to relax, to play games and just to walk in some open space. On one side you can see the Taj of The Raj - Victori Memorial, while on the other side you can see the row of skyscrapers standing tall. It is one of the most wonderful places in the city and is sure to leave you bewildered about the beauty of Calcutta and its contrasts (click on the pictures to get better views).
Not only that, there is a dancing fountain in the Maidan, which dances to the tune that is played in the background. It starts in the evening. The fountains are so colourful and the way they dance to the music being played in the background is truly breathtaking. You will definitely enjoy your visit to this place irrespective of whether you are a foreigner or an Indian. Address: It is located in Chowringhee Road, Calcutta.Directions: The Maidan is situated in Chowringhee Road, opposite to the Victoria Memorial.Other Contact: No specific contacts.
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We were taken by my VT friend Goutam and his family on on a boat trip along the Hooghly River, and I can recommend this, as it is peaceful, and one gets a different perspective of Kolkata from the river. Views of the Howrah Bridge are lovely, and the Belur Math Complex (headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission) can be seen.
The great temple Dakshineshwar can also be seen from the river, with people bathing at the ghats.
Also to be seen on the river banks are gracious old colonial houses, which were built during the Raj. Leave a Comment Directions: Private boats can be hired for very little, near the ghats of the Dakshinewar Temple.
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 The Birla Planetarium by Kumarjit |
 The Main Building from the
Hooghly River by lynnehamman, 2 more photos
Inside the complex are stalls selling religious artifacts, and there are also stalls selling cold drinks & snacks.
There is accomodation available- but only with specialpermission from the board of Rama Krishna. Leave a Comment Directions: West Bank of Hooghly River, north of the city
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St Johns Church is one of the oldest churches in Kolkata. This stone building was modelled on St. Martins in- the -Field in London. There is a famous painting by Zoffany of the Last Supper in the church.
Also inside the church are beautiful old wooden pews, beautiful stained glass windows, and many marble plaques, in memory of English people living in Kolkata during the Raj. Famous Military figures like Admiral Charles Watson, and Lieut. Colonel James Achilles Kirkpatrick (resident at the Court, Hyderbad) also have marble plaques in their memory. Some were family of Military men- one poignant plaque is in memory of the family of one Capt. R.P Anderson. They died of starvation during the siege of Lucknow, during the Great Mutiny in 1857.
Also in the grounds of the chuch is a obelisk dedicated to the men that died in the "Black Hole" at Calcutta, and the mausoleum of Job Charnock- who is referred to as the founder of Kolkata.
DO TAKE A MOMENT TO LOOK AT THE PHOTOS- THE PLAQUE IS VERY MOVING. Leave a Comment Address: K Sanker Roy Rd KolkataDirections: South of BBD Bagh.
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