Kolkata

Kolkata, was the capital of British India. The Gateway to India till 1912 . Kolkata is the commercial capital of the east, with major industrial plants, textile mills and corporate houses.

The people of Kolkata are known to be connoisseurs of art and sports. Their passion for football and cricket is hardly unknown to anyone. A person who visits Kolkata for once can never forget the city. Such in the magic of the city.

Excursion
Museums
West Bengal pioneered museum development in India with institutions like the Asiatic Society (1784), the Indian Botanic Garden (1787) and the Indian Museum (1814) -institutions which are amongst the oldest in India and upto this day remain principal attractions of tourists visiting Kolkata. There also exist about twentyfive other museums of zoology, botany, geology, agriculture, veterinary medicine, pathlogy and anatomy attached to colleges and universities and used for teaching and research.

The Victoria Memorial
Situated on Kolkata Maidan , it stands majestic in its symmetrical construction of white marble. There is an Art Gallery and Museum inside. The surrounding open Space, beautifully laid out with trees, pools and lawns, is one of the most cherished areas of Kolkata.

Science City
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.

Birla Planetarium
Only the second of its kind in the commonwealth and similar to that in London. Regular astronomical shows are preseted here with commentaries in different languages.

Situated close to the crossing of Theatre Road and Chowringhee road, the Birla Planetarium is adjacent to the maidan. The Planetarium owes its existence to the Birla Education in 1929. The Planetarium is a single-storeyed, circular structure constructed in pure Indian architectural style.

Nicco Park
Nicco Park is situated at Salt Lake. This Amusement park is the Disneyland of West Bengal, with a variety of unusual games and rides. The Cave Ride is the latest addition and is the only of its kind in this part of the world. The park is open to the public from 10.00 a.m to 8.00 p.m everyday during the winter and 11.00 a.m to 9.00 p.m everyday during the rest of the year.

Academy of Fine Art
Collections include contemporary Indian Art. Rabindra Gallery contains original paintings, manuscripts and personal belongings of Rabindranath Tagore. The Academy also runs an Artists' Studio for the benefit of working artists. Moreover this is an important center of cultural activities.

Zoological Garden
The Zoological Gardens at Alipore opened to the public in 1876, have one of the finest collections of birds, animals, and reptiles. Within the Gardens,there is also a childrens' Zoo. The aquarium in front of the Zoological Gardens contains sea-fishes of rare varieties.

Kalighat Temple
Built in 1809, the Kali Temple is an Ancient center of Hindu pilgrimage. The architecture is of typical mediaeval Bengal style. Despite industrialisation and commercial activity that has given Kolkata a new look, the Kali temple remains unchanged, attracting a larger number of pilgrims and visitors every day. Visitors to the temple recieve as 'prasad' a vermillion paste , the symbol of Kali, to wear on the foreheads as a tilak.

Botanical Garden
Spreadover an area of 273 acres on the west bank of the Ganga, Indian Botanic garden is the largest of its kind in India. Laid out in 1787, the Garden contains 12,000 living perennial plants and over two and a half million dried out plant specimens in the herbarium, collected from all over the world.

St Paul's Cathedral
The Anglican Cathedral of Kolkata built in 1847, adjacent to the Birla Planetarium. It towers 65 m high and is famous for the serene service conducted on Christmas Eve.

Belur Math
Founded by Swami Vivekananda, the world famous yogi and disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, it is the Headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission and is 6.4 kms from Howrah Station on the banks of the River Hooghly. This International tourist attraction is located near Belur in Howrah district. Its sprawling prayer hall with a statue of Ramakrishna is remarkable. Connected by train and bus.

Dakshineswar Temple
Built by Rani Rasmoni of north Kolkata in the 19th century on the bank of Ganges, north east of Kolkata. It is here that Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the renowned spiritual personality and the guru of Swami Vivekananda had worshipped the Goddess Kali, Bhaba Tarani, and did his sadhana at the Panchabati Garden adjacent to the temple. A world famous place of pilgrimage.

Eden Garden
A sprawling garden set up by the British in the early 20 century with a band stand and a beautiful pagoda. A stadium has been built adjacent to it for cricket test matches which can accommodate about 85,000 people.

The Howrah Bridge extending across the Hooghly river catches the eyes of every visitor as soon as he steps into the city of Kolkata. This cantilever bridge is supported by two 270 feet high piers.

City Transport
Metro Rail or underground railway, Circular Rail, local trains, tram cars metered taxis, air-conditioned taxis, mini buses, private buses, luxury buses, state-transport buses, tourist cars, auto rickshaws, rickshaws, launch/ferry service on the Ganges.

Kolkata High Court
The Highest seat of judiciary in West Bengal. One of the oldest in India (constructed in 1872), built in the Gothic style of architecture, it is a landmark in Kolkata. An extension was added later, which retains its architectural symmetry. Near Eden Gardens.

Saheed Minar
A monument similar to Qutab Minar of Delhi. This was known as Octerloney Monument. Located near Esplanade on the Maidan and seat of many memorable political meetings.

Victoria Memorial
Built between 1906 and 1921 on the lines of the Taj Mahal in memory of Queen Victoria. Topped with a moving angel this memorial faces the Kolkata Maidan. It houses paintings, manuscripts, and other objects of historic value in its Museum and Art Gallery. Two regular sound and light shows are held in the evening. Closed on Mondays.

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Getting There
By Air
India Airlines connect Kolkata with Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Port Blair, Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Patna, Lucknow, Tezpur, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Silchar, Imphal, Bagdogra, Agartala, Bangalore, Vishakhapatnam (Vizag), Guwahati, Dimapur, Hyderabad and Car-Nicobar.

By Rail
Howrah and Sealdah, two main railway stations are there in Kolkata. Kolkata is connected by rail to most of the important places in India.

By Road
Good motorable roads connect Kolkata to all the major cities in India. Some of these are:
Puri-560 kms, Bhubaneshwar-498 kms, Shiliguri-000 kms, Darjiling-678 kms, Krishnanagar-000 kms, Baharampur-000 kms, Patna-547 kms, Ranchi-000 kms, Alahabad-000 kms, Kanpur-000 kms, Lucknow-000 kms, Haridwar-1586 kms, Varanasi-681 kms, Bombay-2060 kms, Delhi-1490 kms, Madras-0000 kms, Panaji (Goa)-0000 kms.

Local Transport
Metred Taxis, Cycle & Man-pulling rickshaws, city buses, Trams, Electric Trains & Metro rail services are available.

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Weather
Temperature (°C):
In Summer- Max. 41.7, Min. 38.1
In Winter- Max. 29.3, Min. 9.6

Rainfall: 158 cms June to Mid September

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