Kolkata, often known as Calcutta, was the official name of the Indian state of West Bengal until 2001. On the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, the city is about 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of the Bangladesh border. It is Eastern India’s key business, commercial, and financial hub, as well as the region’s main port of communication.
Kolkata is India’s seventh-most populated city, with a population of 45 lakh (4.5 million) persons within the city limits and around 1.41 crore (14.1 million) residents in the Kolkata Metropolitan Area, according to the 2011 Indian census. It is India’s third-most populous metropolitan area. The Kolkata metropolitan area will have 1.5 crores (15 million) registered voters by 2021. The Port of Kolkata is India’s oldest operational port and the country’s only major riverine port. Kolkata is known as India’s Cultural Capital.
If you are ever planning a visit to Kolkata, here’s a guide for you !!
Best places to visit in Kolkata
Indian Museum
The Indian Museum is one of the world’s oldest museums. The Asiatic Society of Bengal was founded in Kolkata in 1814. The museum is filled with ornaments, fossils, ornaments, armors, and mummies. In addition, the outstanding structure has four galleries dedicated to not only natural history but also zoological information. If you’re looking for deep historical information, this is one of the best places to visit in Kolkata.
Locals in Kolkata often refer to the Gallery as ‘Jadughar.’ The Museum has a large collection of contemporary paintings, sacred writings of Buddha, antique sculptures, ornaments, fossils, skeletons, Mughal paintings, and other ancient artifacts for the enjoyment of those who enjoy ancient artifacts. The entry fee for Indian citizens is INR 30, 500 for foreign visitors.
It is located at 27, Jawaharlal Nehru Rd, Fire Brigade Headquarters, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016. It is open for visitors every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Mother Teresa House
Mother Teresa, India’s most famous person, lived there. Her home has undoubtedly become the most sought-after places to visit in Kolkata as a result of the great replica she was.
The grey color of the building, as well as the brown windows, make it easy to identify. Mother Teresa’s tomb is located on the ground floor of the lovely spot run by the ‘Missionaries of Charity House.’ The prayer cards of Mother Teresa, Mother Mary’s medallion, and numerous souvenirs are among the highlights of the house. The best time to visit is during Christmas. It is open for visitors from 8 p.m. – 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. (except Thursdays).
It is located at Ripon Street, 54A, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Rd, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016.
Victoria Memorial
It is a stunning White Marble structure that was started in 1906 and finished in 1921. While it was originally intended to serve as a memorial to Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, it has since evolved into a museum that draws a large number of visitors due to its stunning architecture and display.
The artistic side is a hybrid of British and Mughal architecture. The massive fortress houses a museum with 25 galleries displaying sculptures, portraits, country leaders, arms, and armor. It also contains unique and original works by William Shakespeare, Omar Khayyam, and Arabian Nights. The best time to pay a visit to it is from the month of October to March. The entry fees for the museum are Rs. 30 for Indians, Rs. 100 for SAARC citizens, and Rs. 500 for nationals of all other countries. Victoria Memorial Hall is located at 1 Queens Way in Maidan, Kolkata.
Howrah Bridge
In West Bengal, India, the Howrah Bridge connects the twin cities of Howrah and Kolkata. The 705m-long and 30m-wide bridge over the Hooghly River was built in 1943. In June 1965, it was renamed Rabindra Setu after the first Indian Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore. The bridge is commonly referred to as Howrah Bridge.
The Howrah Bridge, which cost an estimated Rs25 million to build, opened in February 1943 and now carries approximately 100,000 vehicles and over 150,000 pedestrians daily. This one is at the top of the list of places to visit in Kolkata, owing to the number of times it has been portrayed in films. It was built in 1943 to replace the Pontoon Bridge and is made of steel. Due to the bridge’s immense popularity, tourists from all over the world travel to Kolkata just to see it.
The view from the bridge in the evening will astound you. The entire Hooghly River appears to be an endless lake with the sun setting on the horizon. The suspended bridge is the sixth-longest bridge in the world. The best time to visit is in the evenings.
Eden Gardens
The Eden Gardens, which has a seating capacity of 66000, is operated by the Cricket Association of Bengal. It’s worth noting that the gardens organized the World Cup in 1987 after being renovated to increase its capacity from 40,000 to 94,000. It may come as a surprise to learn that the stadium is now over 150 years old.
You may be aware that Eden Gardens has the highest seating capacity in India and the third-largest seating capacity in the world. It’s been dubbed “cricket’s answer to the Coliseum.” This is a must-see location for cricket fans. Situated at Maidan, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700021.
Marble Palace
Marble Palace is a magnificent maisonette located on Babu Street in Kolkata, India. As one might expect, the palace is one of the few remaining nineteenth-century structures. The mansion, built in neoclassical style, is still the residence of the King’s heirs.
To give you a sense of the mansion’s setting, it is surrounded by lush green lawns and beautiful fountains. Galleries run through the mansion’s lawns, displaying artistic statues, portraits, mirrors, chandeliers, and paintings by English, Dutch, and Italian artists. It’s worth noting that the mansion also houses a private zoo. It is open for visitors from 10:00 am to 4:00 PM, every day.
Kalighat Kali Temple
It may come as a surprise that the Kalighat Kali Temple has been in existence for over two centuries. Surprisingly, the temple has a highly distinctive image that differs from the majority of Kali images in Bengal. Kalighat Kali Temple is a popular tourist attraction in Kolkata and is one of India’s 52 Shakti Peethas.
Religious inquiries may be pleased to learn that the temple is said to be the location where Sati’s right foot’s toes fell. Only the deity’s face was built in the first phase of construction. Later, the remaining parts of Kali, such as her hands, tongue, and jewelry, were made of gold and silver. It is located at Anami Sangha, Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal 700026. The best time to visit is 5:30 am to 7:30 am every day. The timings for the Aarti are Every day, from 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m Nitya Puja is open. The Bhog Rag is open from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. (Sandhya Arti 6:30 pm to 7 pm).
New Town Eco Park
Eco Park (or Prakriti Tirtha) is the largest park in India, located in New Town, Greater Kolkata. The park is located on a 480-acre (190-hectare) plot and is surrounded by a 104-acre (42-hectare) body of water with an island in the center. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, conceptualized the park in July 2011. The West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) is the overarching body coordinating the park’s construction, along with various other government bodies responsible for implementing various works within the park.
The park is divided into three sections: 1) ecological zones such as wetlands, grasslands, and urban forests, 2) theme gardens and open spaces, and 3) urban recreational spaces. The Eco Park is further subdivided into sections based on the various types of fauna planted. This park also has replicas of the Seven Wonders of the World for visitors to see.
The park will include areas such as species of wild meadows, a bamboo garden, grasslands, a tropical tree garden, a bonsai garden, a tea garden, a Cactus Walk, a heliconia garden, a butterfly garden, a play area, and an amphitheater, according to the plan (yet to be added). Furthermore, there is a strategy to create an eco-resort through a public-private partnership, which will include an area where arts and crafts from around the world will be sold.
The park also has a large ice skating rink where everyone can participate. Kayaking: It should come as no surprise that the park offers water sports such as kayaking. This water sport no longer necessitates long-distance travel. And Zorbing- while not everyone enjoys the massive zorb ball, those who do simply adore it. This sport is available at the new town eco-park.
The eco-park is located at AA II, Major Arterial Road (South-East), Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal 700156. The temple is open for visitors from 2.30 pm – 8.30 pm (Tuesday- Saturday) and for Sundays and the General holidays are 12 pm- 8.30 pm. It remains closed on Mondays.
Rabindra Sarobar
Rabindra Sarobar, formerly known as Dhakuria Lake, is a renowned man-made lake. The lake now has a total area of 300,000 square meters. The lake is surrounded by a variety of trees, which helps to keep the air around it clean. You’ll be relieved to learn that the lake is near the Dum Dum airport. It is among the most beautiful and peaceful areas in the city, making it a popular spot for people to walk or meditate. It is also an excellent canvas for those intrigued by naturalistic photography.
Dhakuria, Rabindra Sarobar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700029 is the address. Every day from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. is the best time to visit (Although visitors are free to visit the lake during nighttime, daytime presents a better experience).
Prinsep Ghats
Princep Ghat is a ghat in India that was built in 1841 during the British Raj along the Kolkata bank of the Hooghly River. W. Fitzgerald designed and built the Palladian porch in memory of the prominent Anglo-Indian scholar and potential James Prinsep in 1843.
The monument to Prinsep is situated between the WaterGate and the St George’s Gate of Fort William and is rich in Greek and Gothic inlays. It was restored and well-maintained by the state’s public works department in November 2001. During its early years, all royal British limos embarked and disembarked at the Prinsep Ghat jetty. Prinsep Ghat is one of Kolkata’s oldest recreational areas.
On weekends, people come here in the evenings to go boating on the river, stroll along the bank, and buy food from the stalls. On May 24, 2012, a 2-kilometer (1.2-mile) stretch of the beautified riverfront from Princep Ghat to Babughat (Baje Kadamtala Ghat) was inaugurated. It features illuminated and landscaped gardens and pathways, fountains, and refurbished ghats. On the ghats, one of the songs from the Bollywood film Parineeta was shot.
Princep Ghat is also the name of a railway station. The station is on the Kolkata Circular Railway, which is operated by Eastern Railway. PPGT is the station code.
There is a nearby jetty known as the Man-O-War jetty that belongs to Kolkata Port trust and has also played a role in the port in the second world war. The jetty is used by the Indian Navy. It is located at Strand Rd, Maidan, Fort William, Hastings, Kolkata, West Bengal 700021.
Science City
Science City is one of the city’s most popular science centers. The science park is managed by the National Council of Science Museums, which has its headquarters in Kolkata. The venue hosts a variety of exhibitions covering a wide range of scientific topics.
A few of the science topics involve freshwater aquariums, which contain various types of fish for observation. and Power of ten, which explains the universe’s micro and macro phenomena. Also, one of the most exciting activities that teach the importance of visual perception in terms of placement and motion is Illusions. This butterfly enclave is located in a large garden region known as Live Butterfly. People can watch butterflies fly from one location to another. The entry fee is INR.60 per person, with a student group entry fee of INR 30. It is open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm every day.
We hope you found this guide helpful,We hope you have a wonderful visit!!
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