PLACES TO VISIT IN KOLKATA
It is located in West Bengal. The City of Joy, Kolkata is one of Indian major tourist attractions. Witness the spectacular Indian cultural, poetic, artistic and literary heritage. Kolkata, India's second biggest city, is a perpetually ongoing festival of human existence, concurrently luxurious and squalid, refined and frantic, pointedly futuristic, while beautifully in decay. Kolkata is soaked in layers and layers of heritage and culture. Famously known as the City of Joy.
PLACES TO VISIT IN KOLKATA
#VICTORIA_MEMORIAL
The great big, white marble building that stands in the heart of the city is the brainchild of George Curzon, Viceroy of India. It is a vital part of Kolkata tourism. The memorial was built to commemorate Queen Victoria in between the years of 1906 to 1921. It has now been transformed into a beautiful museum that houses a remarkable collection of ancient artefacts in its 25 stunning galleries. One of the most popular tourist spots in Kolkata, Victoria. Memorial receives visitors from all over the globe. The architectural wonder is built in Indo-Saracenic revivalist style with a blend of British architecture and methods borrowed from various parts of the world such as Egyptian, Mughal, Venetian, Islamic, and Deccani
#HOWRAH_BRIDGE
An iconic landmark of Kolkata, Howrah Bridge is a massive steel bridge constructed over the Hooghly River. It is considered to be among the longest cantilever bridges in the world. Also known as Rabindra Setu, it connects Howrah and Kolkata. It carries daily traffic of over 100,000 vehicles and countless pedestrians and is as historic as it is grand. The opulence of the bridge, however, comes alive in the night time as it is all lit up. You can also take a ferry ride as it runs between Kolkata and Howrah, from the launch ghat. The view of the city from the ferry, especially in the night, is priceless, to say the least.
#FORT_WILLIAM
The mighty edifice of Fort William is situated in the city of Kolkata, on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River. Built in the year 1696, the fort is named after King William III and was the first stronghold of the British in the country. The magnificent structure is spread over 70.9 acres and is embellished with hundreds of arched windows that overlook lush green gardens. Meticulous stonework adorns the surface of the building and it took as long as took ten years to reach completion. However, it was soon realized that the building had a few loopholes, and a new octagonal building was constructed whose foundation was laid by Sir Robert Clive. Due to its importance with respect to Indian intelligence, access to the interiors of the fort is limited to army personnel and their relatives. However, you can visit the palace for its stunning architecture.
#MOTHER_HOUSE
Mother House or Missionaries of Charity is a religious congregation that was established by Mother Teresa in 1950. It is a Latin Church or a Roman Catholic religious congregation known as Saint Teresa of Kolkata. An area of the house is reserved for followers to pay their respect to Mother Teresa. Here, one can find Mother Teresa's Tomb and an exhibition that displays her work through photographs, awards and articles. Some of her belongings like her sarees, her sandals and her bag are also displayed. This is where Mother Teresa began her service to mankind, and this is where it ended. In her lifetime, she created a community that continues to serve the needy ones selflessly. One visit here to pay respects to Mother Teresa is a must.
#MARBLE_PALACE
The Marble palace near the Chorbagan in North Kolkata built in 1835 by Rajendra Mallick is famed for its art collection of masterpieces by Reuben and paintings by various renowned international artists such as Reynolds, Van Gogh and Rembrandt. The Marble Palace Mansion is an architectural masterpiece that was built with a mix of neoclassical style with traditional Bengali elements and additional touches of Chinese style. It was built from superior quality Italian marble giving the entire structure a look of magnificence. The mansion is built with about 126 different types of marbles, picked and chosen from various places of the country to make it an architectural elegance.
#ALIPORE_ZOO
The Alipore Zoo is the oldest zoological park to have been established in India which has been operating since 1876 and is a major tourist attraction in Kolkata, West Bengal. It is also known as the Calcutta Zoo or the Zoological Garden of Alipore. It is a home to various animals like Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant, the Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros, White Tiger, Grant’s Zebra, Antelope, Deer and more. At the same time, the zoo is also the home to various attractive birds like Macaws and Lorikeet, colourful and flamboyant birds like Swinhoe’s Pheasant, Lady Amherst’s Pheasant and Golden Pheasant, large birds like Ostrich, Emu, Hornbills and more. During the winters, the Alipore Zoo also witnesses a few migratory birds like the Sarus Crane. The zoo attracts tourists from all over the world who come to visit and explore the wildlife comprised in it.
#INDIAN_MUSEUM
The Indian Museum is the ninth oldest museum of the world and largest in India. It is located in Kolkata – the city of joy. Founded in the year 1814, it a centre of multidisciplinary activities ever since. It is also called ‘Jadughar’, comprising the finest collection of contemporary paintings, sacred relics of Buddha, Egyptian mummies and ancient sculptures. The Indian Museum also hassome of the most exquisite collections of ornaments, fossils, skeletons, antiques, armours, and stunning Mughal paintings.
#ST. PAUL'S_CATHEDRAL
It is a must-visit for those who seek enriching historical and architectural pleasure on their vacation trips. In the heart of the city, this colossal structure reminds you of the colonial times and takes you down the memory lane. Travellers keep this among the top few must-visit places when they come to Kolkata. It looks most beautiful during the Christmas holidays, when the cathedral, the garden around it as well as the surrounding streets are all bathed in light and festivities.Primarily built to accommodate the ever-increasing Christian community in Calcutta, it is the first Episcopalian church in Asia. The building follows Indo-Gothic style and its structure is complete with a cascading white edifice, towering spire and colourful tinted windows. Inside, it has a huge nave, majestic altar and chancel, along with carvings and paintings depicting great moments and events of Christian history.
#SOUTH_PARK_STREET_CEMETERY
South Park Street Cemetery is an 18th-century non-church cemetery, one of the earliest in the world. It is now a heritage site in Kolkata and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. Most of the tombs in the South Park Street Cemetery are aesthetically beautiful and very attractive. It, thus, has a unique charm that draws tourists in large numbers. Some tombs have a mysterious while some have a soothing vibe. One such tomb is grave number 363 which is the oldest and belongs to a woman who never wished to have her name revealed. The tomb architecture is mostly a mix of Gothic and Indo-Saracenic with miniature replicas on stone.
#RAMAKRISNAPUR_GHAT
Ramkrishnapur Ghat is one of the ancient ghats in Kolkata, built along the banks of Ganga River. This beautiful and enchanting ghat is surrounded by a series of beautifully constructed ancient temples and staircases running towards the banks where one of the most beautiful Ganga Aarti takes place. While Varanasi and Haridwar are famous for its grand Ganga Aartis, Ramkrishnapur Ghat offers its own spin on it. Right from harmonious chanting of mantras, colourful flowers, grand Aarti Thaal (brass lamps) and a massive crowd of devoted attendees, all is seen here. The vibes are such that even with such a large number of devotees present, one's soul will be satisfied.
#DAKSHINESWAR_KALI
Flanked by River Hooghly on the Eastern bank, Dakshineswar Kali is a revered Hindu navratna temple which is presided by Bhavatarini - a form of Goddess Kali. Built in Rani Rashmoni in 1855 who was a devotee of Goddess Kali, the Bhavatarini form means ‘she, who liberates her devotees from the ocean of existence.’ Aside from the main shrine, there are also several rooms built along the complex surrounding the boundary walls. Other than paying your respect to the gods and goddesses, you can also admire the gorgeous architectural designs and beautiful scenic beauty.
FOOD IN KOLKATA
Bengali traditional food, especially the yummy mouthwatering sweets are popular all over India. Bengal boasts off its cottage cheese based sweets like sandesh, rosogolla and chanar payesh. Other must try delicacies consist of Misti doi and Patali gur confectionery . When it comes to Calcutta cuisine, it can be said that each district of Bengal has its own unique dish to offer like Langcha and mihidana-sitabhog of Bardhaman, sharbhaja of Krishnanagar, chanabora of Murshidabad etc.
No comments:
SHARE YOUR MESSAGE WITH US !!