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 | Kolkata (Calcutta) Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 231 |  |
Calcutta is a big city and most of the citizens are always busy with their work. However, in the evening and during the winter months many people pay visits to The Victoria Memorial to relax and have a small picnic. The Victoria Memorial is a huge palace built by Queen Victoria during the British rule. The palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens and also has a pool where lotus blooms in autumn. It is a nice place to relax yourself and to have a picnic. It is one of the favourite hotspots of the tourists. Address: Red Road, Calcutta.Directions: If you are travelling from Alipore or the area near the Taj Bengal Hotel, you need to go along the racecourse. It will be near for you. If you are travelling from Park Street or Theatre Road, you need to take the straight road along the Maidan.Other Contact: No specific contacts
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As you already know, Calcutta is a very big city, and the people are always busy with their work. However, there should be some place in the heart of the city to rejuvenate the citizens after a hectic day. Definitely there is one such place - the Maidan.
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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The Birla Planetarium in Calcutta is not only the largest in India, but also in South-East Asia. The planetarium holds shows about the different discovered and undiscovered planets and stars of the galaxy and the Milky Way. The shows are so nice that the spectators feel as if they are in space. A visit to this place is a must if you are coming to Calcutta. Address: Chowringhee Road, South Calcutta.Directions: It is located at the crossing of Chowringhee Road and Theatre Road( Shakespeare Sarani). It is very near to The Victoria Memorial and the JK Millenium Centre and also to the Everest House.Other Contact: Not available to me.
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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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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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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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This grand, beautifully designed marble building is one of the finest in India. Its white dome soars above its many columns. and the grand staircase leading up to the entrance is majestic, and has a colourful flower stall at its base.
Taking 20 years to build, to honour Queen Victoria, Empress of India, on her Diamond Jubilee in 1901, it is the most potent reminder of the Raj Era in India. Statues of British Royalty stand around with bored expressions.
It therefore comes as a bit of a surprise to me that it is packed with Indian tourists and Kolkatans every day of the week. But then, it also houses a huge slice of the history of Calcutta (as it was then known). So one can understand the pride and interest that Indian people have when visiting here.
In various halls, there are exhibits of photographs of old Calcutta- unrecognizable compared to the city today.
Ancient manuscripts in Persian & Sanskrit are enclose in dusty glass cabinets.
Records of book-keeping from the days of the Raj show the day to day cost of housekeeping in the Military Quarters. There is a Cannon on display, and various weapons from different eras.
What most excited me most, though, was seeing the sword of the mighty Emperor Aurangzeb.
It is tucked away in a cabinet in dark corner- we almost missed seeing it. I gazed at it with awe- how many men had been beheaded by this weapon?
The artifacts in the museum are not very well displayed or documented. The place has a rather shabby and run down appearance. But the architectural brilliance of the actual building
overshadows the interior dullness.
The Gardens around the Memorial are beautiful. Green, well kept and filled with exotic trees , with benches to sit on and gaze at the perfection of the marbled Dome.
The park is also a haven for birds- we spent a pleasant time just sitting there, watching birds of many species bathing in the puddles that had been left by the water sprinklers.
Photography is forbidden inside the building.I suggest that you visit early in the day-the queues are always very long Leave a Comment Address: Chowringee AreaDirections: Enter from North or South Gate, opposite the Maidan.
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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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Belur Math, the headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission, is situated to the north of the city across the Vivekananda Bridge from Dakshineshwar. The world-famous temple was built by a disciple Swami Vivekananda in 1938. Belur Math is situated on the west bank of the river Hooghly. It is a universal place of pilgrimage, visited by people belonging to diverse castes and creeds. There is a very tranquil atmosphere at this complex. We saw many birds, and a great variety of trees. The gardens were colourful and well maintained.
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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Located on Asutosh Chowdhury Avenue, it is the latest addition to the places of visit in Kolkata. Built over twenty- two years of painstaking labour, it is an all marble structure with very high quality Rajasthani engravings.
The Birlas are one of richest Industrial family of India. It is said about them that till the time they continue to build the Temple of Radha & Krishna, their wealth will continue to grow. Nobody knows the truth but they continue to build temples for long. Leave a Comment Directions: Near ballygunge Police Outpost.
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on August 17, 2005
on January 14, 2009
on May 3, 2006
