Location: East India state of West Bengal
Famous As: One of the metropolitan city of India
Places of Interest: Victoria Memorial, Kali Temple, Howrah Bridge
Rainfall: 158 cm (June to August)
Temperature: summer: 41.7 °C - 38.1°C, winter: 29.3 °C
- 9.6 °C
Ideal Time to Visit: October to March.
Language: Bengali, Hindi and English
An Over View of Calcutta
Calcutta is a paradoxical city, a paradise that chisels its treasure on the
reminiscence of every visitor. Calcutta cherished the status of being the
largest city in India, indeed one of the largest in the world. The city was
founded as a British trading harbor in the 17th century and with the passage
of time the city rapidly grew into one of the metropolitan city of India and
procure a style and fervor of its own.
Calcutta city, now days is also recognized by a new name ( Kolkatta). Its
rich British glory and culture is easily perceivable on its buildings and
streets adorned with Victorian Emblem. The finest specimen of British
architecture can be seen in the Chowringhee and Clive Street.
Historic Perspective
Job Charnock an English tradesman established a trading port on the banks
of the Ganga 300 years ago. Perceptibly British regime started setting up
commence and trade activities from the port of Calcutta. With the success of
Battle of Plassey held between Nawabs of Calcutta and the English army, the
British Empire seize the power and ruled the city for over more then 250
years.
Glorious Calcutta city is quite renowned globally as it is also a celestial
home to the world celebrities- the holy figure, Mother Teresa the
institution of Missionary of Charity is run in her name and she is
remembered for her selfless devotion for poor people. Other prides of
Kolkatta are Tagore, Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen. The vehement devotion of
the city to its culture is discernible in a surfeit of festivals,
music-dance and dramas which is famous through out the world.
Charms of Calcutta City
The Maidan
In
the heart of Calcutta City lies a green meadow often referred as the 'lungs
of Calcutta'. The city can be best-viewed in perspective around the rolling
green of the Maidan expended over the area of 3km. The Maidan is more famous
for its early-morning yoga sessions that are a source of mellowness for the
citizenry from the urban tormented life.
Its most imposing feature is Fort William, which was rebuilt there in 1758,
a magnificent sight to cherish.
Victoria Memorial
The majestic souvenir of the British Empire the Victoria Memorial lies at
the south of the Maidan. This colossal white-marble memorial is now
transfigured into a magnificent museum that treasures the most diverse
accumulation of 'magnum opus' from the era of British Empire rule. The most
fascinating charm of the museum is the impressive piano that was played by
Queen Victoria as a young girl. It also includes the Calcutta Gallery and
National Leaders Gallery that showcases the history of Kolkata and its
various social leaders.
Kali Temple
The beautiful temple was built in 1809 is also known as Kalighat and is
dedicated to Kali, a Goddess of destruction. The devotees from all over the
county comes to seek the blessing from the Maa Kali.
MP Birla Planetarium
Located on the eastern side of the Maidan in the Chowringhee area of
Kolkata, this planetarium is one of the largest in the world.
Tagore House
Rabindranath Tagore synopsizing the traditional essence of Calcutta was one
of the effulgent poet, novelist, playwright and artist. Rabindranath Tagore
who showcase India to the world was India's foremost poet and a fervent
nationalist who also jotted the lyrics for India's national anthem, Jana
Gana Maya, and also achieved the Asia's first Nobel Prize for his literature
work. The world famous complex of Tagore House has become a center of
learning for Indian dance, drama and music.
Howrah Bridge
The poignant Howrah Bridge a massive colossal structure lying across the
Hooghly River which rests on the two irons poles as high as 270 feet is also
a center of attraction. Earlier the bridge use to be opened from the center
for ships to bypass. Other attractions are Headquarters of the Rama Krishana
mission, and the Belur Math definitely worth visiting sights that leaves the
visitors in wonder.
Excursions
Perched on the bank of river Ganga the preeminent Botanical Gardens is
located at a distance of 8km. from Calcutta. The garden is one of the
biggest gardens in the world. Its main attraction is the 200-year-old Banyan
tree, said to be the largest in the world.
Digha, a favorite beaches resort 185km. from Calcutta is spread on a
stretch of 6km. is one of the widest beach in the world quite famous for its
diverse activities.
Bakkhali, another sought beach lies 132 km from the city is thronged with
visitors normally during morning and evening times.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands For an integral change, make a tour from
Calcutta to Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the benevolent
sun-soaked celestial home in the Bay of Bengal. Enjoy your journey with boat
safari in the blue seas of Indian Ocean.
Some of the other excursions made from Calcutta cities are
Shantiniketan -167 km the ravishing and dignified open-air
educational institution started by Rabindranath Tagore in 1901. Sagar
Island-105 km is the rendezvous point of the river Hoogly and the sea,
Murshidabad
-221 km is famous for its superior quality silk industry holds a big store
for its shoppers and
Vishnupur -201 km renowned for its
architectural splendor the 17thand 18th century stone temples,
Chandannagar
-39 km and
Diamond Harbor-51 km.
Festivities
Saraswati Puja
Comes in (January/ February) the festival of Saraswati Puja is dedicated to
Saraswati the Goddess of education and learning. The festival is celebrated
all over the city mainly by students, artists and professors for attaining
divine knowledge in their field.
Durga Puja
Comes in October, the most important festival of Bengalis in Calcutta.
According to Hindu mythology, all the 'Divine Powers' arrayed Goddess Durga
with a part of their own verve to bestow her with vigor, or shakti, to
obliterate the evil forces.
The magnificent Puja comes to its end on the 10th day of Mahadashami when
the images of Goddess are taken out in beautiful festooned carts or trucks
in the form of processions and finally submersed in river Hooghly.
Kali Puja
Comes in (September/October), Kali Puja is one of the leading festival of
Kalkotta. The festival is devoted to Goddess Kali and is celebrated with
full devotion and enthusiasm. The festival last for 10 day, on the last day
of the Pooja ceremony, the mud sculptures of Goddess are submerged in the
sea with full devotion. Basant Utsav and Holi are the other festivals that
are celebrated with enthusiasm.
Nabobarsho
Comes in mid of April, it is marked as the starting of Bengali New Year. A
Charak Puja is organized, the devotees at Chatu Babu Bazar fasten themselves
to gigantic rotating swings epitomizing the cycles of life.
Shopping
Calcutta shops have lot in their stores to offer its precious visitors. It
treasures a diverse variety of local handicrafts made from shola and
conch-shell. Terra-cotta horses of Bankura, clay inscription of Kalighat and
textiles made from handloom are in great demand. Baluchari silk, tangail
silks and precious gold jewelry is also famous world wide.
Main shopping hubs in the city are Bengal Home Industries Association on
Jawaharlal Nehru Road and Central Cottage Industries Emporium, a Handloom
House on Lindsay Street.
Getting Around
Air: The main airhead of Calcutta is Dumdum at a distance of 17km
from the city center. The city is well connected to all the cities of India
and abroad by number of flights and also provides direct flights to most of
the countries in the Southeast Asia.
Rail: City is connected with the super fast trains to Delhi,
Cochin, Trivandrum, Gwalior and Ahmedabad. The city has two major railway
stations, one at Howrah and the other at Sealdah.
Road: Most of the northeast is well connected through proper
metallic roads from rest of the country. To roam in side the city the meter
taxis and men pulling rickshaws are very popular. The Esplanade Terminus in
the heart of the city is the main bus terminus of Calcutta.
