Kolkata City Information

Kolkata City Information

Kolkata, previously known as Calcutta, is the largest metropolis in India and plays an important role in the nation’s economy.

Places of Interest:

South Park Street Cemetery - This cemetery was constructed to accommodate the large number of the British people who died for their country. There are many heavily inscribed head stones, pyramids, urns and obelisks.

Victoria Memorial - This is one of India's most beautiful monuments. It is designed in Italian Renaissance-Mughal style and build of white marble from Rajasthan.

Howrah Bridge - The Bridge is considered to be an engineering marvel, and joins the main Railway Station (for Calcutta) and the industrial city of Howrah with the city of Calcutta. Supported by two piers, the bridge has a span of almost 500 meters with no pillars in the middle. It is one of the busiest bridges in the world and is the third largest bridge in the world. It is also called as 'Rabindra Setu'.

Marble Palace - Marble Palace built by Raja Rajendra Mullick Bahadur has Italian marble lavishly used in its construction. This palace has the sculptures of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, Hindu Gods, the Buddha and Christopher Columbus.

BBD Bagh (Dalhousie Square) - Located to the south of Howrah Bridge, Dalhousie Square was renamed as BBD Bagh after Three Martyrs of Bengal, Binay, Badal and Dinesh was created in the heart of the imperial capital of Calcutta. The tank in the centre, fed by natural springs, is said to have supplied Charnock with drinking water. There are many historical buildings, which surround the square.

Fort William - It was built after Robert Clive's victory at Plassey over Siraj ud-Daula. The fort has a church, market, post and telegraph office, cinema, swimming pool, boxing stadium, football and firing range.

Ochterlony Monument - It is built to commemorate the victory of Sir David Ochterlony in Nepal. It is built in Turkish style with the column in Syrian style and the base in Egyptian style.

Academy of Fine Arts - It is a site of visual arts and Bengali theatre It has permanent galleries of medieval Bengali and Indian miniature paintings, textiles and excellent specimens of old hand-woven Daccai and Baluchari saris.

Nirmal Hirday (Pure Heart) - It is the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity and is the Mother Teresa's first home for serving destitute and dying people.

Science City - Science City is an area of knowledge and adventure. The main attractions are Space Flight, Dinosaurs Alive, Dynamotion, Life in Water, a world of Insects and Reptiles, walkthrough Aviary, Butterfly corner, Convention Centre, four seminar halls, Mini Auditorium, and Musical fountain.

Shantiniketan - Shantiniketan was founded by Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, the father of Rabindranath Tagore. It is an experimental place of learning with a 'class room' under the trees which later became the Vishva Bharati University.

Birla Mandir - It is an all-marble structure with very high quality rajasthani engravings.
Calcutta High Court - It is the highest seat of judiciary in West Bengal with tower of 54 metres height. It is one of the oldest buildings in India built in the Gothic style of architecture.

Metro Railway - The Metro system or the Underground Railway Network in Calcutta is the only underground railway in India.

Dhakuria Lake - It is an artificial lake comprising rowing club, safari garden children's park, play center, open air theatre, and swimming pool training Centre.

Eden Gardens Stadium - It is a world famous Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium and is the largest in Asia with a seating capacity of more than lakh spectators. It was one of the first cricket stadiums in India where floodlights were installed so that Day and Night cricket can be played. It has a gigantic electronic scoreboard which is also one of its kinds in the country.

Nalban Boating Complex - It is a beautiful picnic spot with an unpolluted environment offering a soothing effect to the visitors.

Saheed Minar - This 165 ft high monument is similar to Qutab Minar of Delhi and was erected by public subscription to honour Sir David Ochter Lony. Recently, it has now been renamed as 'Shaheed Minar' to honour the martyrs of the freedom struggle.

Salt Lake Stadium - Salt Lake Stadium also known as Yuba Bharati Krirangan, is has a seating capacity of 1,25,000 Persons. It is elliptical in shape with its roof made of strong flow-coat tubes and aluminium sheets. There are two electronic score boards and control rooms.

Vidyasagar Setu - Vidyasagar Setu is a modern day engineering marvel and is the largest cable stayed bridge in Asia. The bridge connects the twin cities of Calcutta and Howrah.

Writers' Building - This was the place of residence for the junior servants who were called writers of the East India Company. It now houses the Secretariat of West Bengal Government.

Kurseeong - The word Kurseong means the place of White Orchid. The place has lower elevation with a milder and very healthy climate throughout the year.

Kalimpong - It is a picturesque town which was the former headquarters of the Bhutanese Governor.