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 | Kolkata (Calcutta) Things To Do | Tips 21 - 30 of 233 |  |
Mother Theresa's Home for the Destitute and Dying is not a place for the the feint of heart or for tourists. But volunteers come daily to help with the work and a constant stream of visitors come to drop off donations and get a glimpse of the work that goes on here.
The Missionaries of Charity, Sisters of Charity, Brothers of Charity and Lay Workers of Charity all got their start here at Kalighat and have operations in Calcutta, across the Hoogly River in Howrah and now all over the world.
Thursdays before afternoon prayers at 5:00 is orientation for volunteers. Some folks can't handle the work more than a day, others for a week or two, and some have been helping here for over a year. Shishi Bhauan and Naba Jibon in Horwah work with kids and adults with disabilities and sometimes need volunteers. Naba Jibon opens their doors to the street kids from Horwah Station on Saturdays for baths and a meal and that always needs help with the crowds that gather.
Our oldest son was one of those street kids and was kept at Naba Jobon after the gate was locked because of burns to his hand. He was the first older child Mother Theresa allowed to be adopted overseas - she felt they couldn't adjust to the massive changes. As usual, she was right. Leave a Comment
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 The Marble palace of Raja
Rajendra Mullick. by goutammitra, 4 more photos
Photography is not allowed but we did take some snaps from ouside. This property is run by a private trust and the up keep of the palace is extremely poor. It has turned into a mini jungle with weeds, parasites, and wild parthenium bushes. One cannot imagine the palace of Raja Rajendra Mullick is in shambles. The West Bengal govt should immediately take interest over this property and help the Trust to make it a proper place of tourist interest as it is the perfect example of the glorious past of Bengal, Bengali culture. The govt of West Bengal at least do some maintenence of the palace and the surrounding area!
The Palace houses masterpieces from Rubens, John Opic, Raja Ravi Verma, Sebastian X, Murillo ete. I must visit place for anybody who is genuinely interested in Kolkata and Bengal!
Recently, I had the opportunity and meet the current owner and chief custodian of the Palace Mr.Hirendro Mullick( grandson of Raja Rajendra Mullick) Who explained how difficult it is for him to maintain this large palace and keep the artefacts in proper condition. The museum room where the paintings of the famous painters are kept along with other articles needs immediate renovation and restoration as this place is not only a land mark of Kolkata but with it Bengali nostalgia is involved. A lot of tourist from India and abroad visit this Palace almost every day are also of the same view that we must preserve our Heritage! Leave a Comment Address: Central Avenue, Kolkata.Phone: 91-33-22693628/22696831.Directions: Take Metro or a taxi to Central Avenue ,get down at Mahatma Gandhi Road Metro station, or ask the taxi driver to take you to Muktaram Babu street.Website: mullick_sourendra@rediffmail.com Other Contact: 91-33-22483516.
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The Indian Museum was established in 1878 on Jawaharlal Nehru Road and is an excellent spot not just for what they offer in their exhibits but because it is quiet and cool - a great break from the streets of Calcutta. The museum is built in Italian architectural style and is considered one of the best in Asia. The largest museum in the country, it is divided into six sections: Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology and Industry (economic botany). From the Egyptian mummy to the skeleton of the whale and some rare statues; the museum has every thing. One of the rooms has a collection of meteorites. The museum also has a unique fossil collection of prehistoric animals which includes a giant crocodile and a huge tortoise. The art collection has many fine pieces from Orissa and other temples and superb example of Buddhist Gandharan art.
Can you tell this was my escape from the realities of life in Calcutta? I came here weekly for many months and still didn't feel like I had seen it all. Well worth a visit. Leave a Comment Address: Jawaharlal Nehru Road
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 by goutammitra
This place was renamed after the great freedom fighters , Binoy , Badal & Dinesh, who tried to kill then notorious Police Comissioner Charles Teggart, in the writer's Building in the pre-independence days. Leave a Comment Address: Brabourne Road or B.B.D. Bagh.
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Second Hoogly bridge is a fine example of Indian engineering. It was built in the 90's to ease out the traffic load from the First Hoogly bridge, which famous by the name of Howrah Bridge. Today more than 100000 vehicle crosses over the bridge everyday. It also has a toll booth. it has reduced the load on Howrah bridge but the over rising population still demands more.
The bridge connects the out bound traffic to the National Highway no6( Bombay) and National Highway no2( Delhi) Leave a Comment Address: Near the Princep Jetty, Over the Ganges river.
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The Maidan is a huge park of over 2000 acres that lies at the center of the city and is a great place to stroll around. Many of the sites to see are located close by: The Victoria Memorial, Eden Gardens, Fort William, The Strand, Royal Calcutta Turf Club (Oldest turf club in the world), and the Calcutta Polo Club (oldest polo club in the world).
Ironically, The Maidan was orginally jungle and cleared to provide clear cannon shots for Fort William.
My favorite time to stroll the grounds was at dusk. As the heat of day passes, the citizens of Calcutta come out to enjoy the evening air, with street vendors, musicians, etc. And I always felt safe.
There are many cricket fields along the Maidan and sitting and trying to figure out what it all means can take up any spare time you may have. Leave a Comment
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 by goutammitraLeave a Comment Address: Salt Lake city.
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It is located on Kolkata's Eastern Metropolitan Bypass. This 21st century marvel of science, communication and environment is the first and only institution of its kind in India.The pioneering effort of NCSM, in setting up open air Science Parks has now added a new dimension to science teaching through a process of discovery in the outdoor setting. Set amidst trees and lawns, here one finds science out of doors and alive.
Recently they have added Space Theatre, which is the biggest in South Asia. This tip was built in 2006, since then we went there several times. Last Sunday I took Munu out for watching Life Under the sea in the Space Theatre! It was an out of the world experience. I captured small clips on my cell but it was nothing compared to the experience we had there! They have increased the entrance fee so is for all the shows. Since, we had seen it all before, I took Munu for the picture ( Rs.40/- per person), 3D show( Rs.20 Per person), Dinosaur Show ( Rs.10 PP). Entrace has been increased from Rs.10 to Rs25/- per person. They also have ropeway ( Rs25 PP). But the condition of restaurants and food vendors is pathetic.
The WB Marxist govt taking every one for granted! They must improve the food quality and seating arrangements if they are charging more.
For all shows it charges Rs200/- ( USD$ 5) per persons. Leave a Comment Address: E.M.Bypass.Directions: Just opposite ITC Sonar Bangla hotel.
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 Bridge is lighted with
coloured lamps. by goutammitra, 4 more photos
Until 1943, the Hooghly River was crossed by a pontoon bridge which had to be opened to let river traffic through. There was considerable opposition to construction of a bridge due to fears that it would affect the river currents and cause silting problems. This problem was eventually avoided by building a bridge that crosses the river in a single 450m span - there are no pylons at all within the river.
The cantilevered bridge, also known as Rabindra Setu, is similar in size to the Sydney Harbour Bridge but carries a flow of traffic which Sydney could never dream of .It is the busiest bridge in the world. It's intriguing to stand at one end of the bridge at morning rush hour and watch the procession of double-decker buses come across. They heel over like yachts in a heavy wind due to the weight of passengers hanging onto the sides. In between are lumbering bullock carts, hordes of bicycles and even the odd car. The ferries running from below Howrah Station are a more convenient way to cross the river and give you a good view of the bridge.
Now Kolkata municipal corporation has decorated it with beautiful light, it has automatically become a place of tourist atraction. The place is best seen in the evening by taking a ferry, boat ride or a visit to Mayur Pankhi nao ( a boat service by W.B. Surface transport corporation with live band. It operates on Sunday, Saturday and on holidays.) The reward s are beautiful and handsome. The lights are on between 7.00 PM to 8.00PM as in everywhere in the world they are conserving energy. A good gesture indeed. Dont miss this! Leave a Comment Address: On The River GangesDirections: Near Howrah Station.
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This beautiful structure Princep Jetty was constructed after Joseph Princep, The British engineer and multifarious genius. He was the original town planner of British Built Calcutta. He was also responsible for developing Calcutta City sewage system, which still exist. City of calcutta is still dependant on that system.
It was also the place on the River Ganges where, the ships used to bring Europeans and the British to the soil of Kolkata. Leave a Comment Address: Princep Jetty.Directions: Near The river Ganges.
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