Kolkata (Calcutta), India — Where to Go
Kolkata (Calcutta) Sightseeing Overview
Many of the most interesting landmarks in Kolkata are fairly central and easy to get around on foot (if the weather is good) or by cab.
It is believed that the city was originally founded over 300 years ago on the banks of the Hooghly River by Job Charnock.
A tired administrator in the British East India Company, Charnock took a chance midday halt near the quaint village of Sutanti, the sparkle of green on the horizon offering peace and solitude for a quick nap. In 1690, with his base threatened by the Mughal viceroy in Bengal, he moved his operations here, eventually uniting the villages of Sutanti, Gobindapur and Kalikata to form the city of Calcutta.
Today, there is a great heritage trail winding along the bustling streets revealing the city's vibrant past, including museums, churches, temples, atmospheric side-streets with tea stalls, and grand remnants of the Raj. However, sights are not just limited to the city's bygone Raj days; Kolkata was also known as home to a cosmopolitan crowd of Marwaris, Parsis, Anglo Indians, Jews, Armenians and Chinese.
The BBD Bagh area is to the north of the city center, encompassing the most impressive buildings from British India, including the Writers' Building and Raj Bhavan. To the southwest are the 'lungs' of the city, the vast green Maidan which contains the Eden Gardens cricket ground and Fort William.
Slightly further south is Victoria Memorial, one of the city's most famous landmarks. Park Street Cemetery is a tranquil and poignant collection of tombs and graves, which has undergone much restoration, dating back to 1767. Around Sudder Street, the fascinating Indian Museum has treasures ranging from the archaeological to the artistic and is the largest (and one of the finest) in the country.
The evenings are wonderfully lively along buzzing streets, with areas like Park Street a brilliant place for promenading and perusing.
Kolkata (Calcutta) Tourist Information
West Bengal Tourism Center
3/2 BBD Bagh
Tel: (033) 2248 8271 or 5917.
Website: www.wbtourism.com
India Tourism (Government of India Tourist Office)
4 Shakespeare Sarani, Chowringhee
Tel: (033) 2282 5813.
Key Attractions in Kolkata (Calcutta), India
BBD Bagh
A riveting glimpse of colonial history and architecture is on display in this area, once known as Dalhousie Square but renamed Benoy Badal Dinesh Bagh after three freedom fighters, the martyrs of Bengal. When Queen Victoria took over the administration of India from the East India Company, Kolkata became the capital of British India. On the north side is the huge Writers' Building, housing the Secretariat of the Government of West Bengal and on the south side is Raj Bhavan, residence of the Governor of West Bengal.
Central Kolkata, north of Jawaharlal Nehru Road and south of Howrah Bridge
Indian Museum
The city's main museum has an enthralling (and huge) range of artifacts spread over several galleries devoted to archaeology, art, anthropology, geology, zoology and botany. Highlights include a prized collection of Buddhist art, rare paintings, an Egyptian mummy, and a reproduction of the Barhut Gateway, dating back to second century BC. The impressive building is a sight in itself, built in 1875.
27 Jawaharlal Nehru Road (corner of Sudder Street), Chowringhee
Tel: (033) 2249 9902/79.
Website: www.indianmuseumkolkata.org
Opening hours: 1000-1700 (March-Nov); 1000-1630 (Dec-Feb).
Admission charge: Y.
Kali Temple
An important pilgrimage center for Hindus, the original temple is supposed to have been built 350 years ago; this one dates back to 1809. Legend says that when the corpse of Sati, wife of Lord Shiva, was cut into pieces by Sidarshan Chakra, one of her toes fell here. Believed to be the original temple from the village of Kolikata, from where Kolkata took its name, this is a mind-stirring, if rather grim place; goats are regularly slaughtered here to honor the destroyer goddess Kali.
Kalighat Road, Kalighat
Tel: (033) 2223 1516.
Website: http://kalighat.jagaddhatri.com
Opening hours: Daily 0500-1400, 1700-2230.
Admission charge: N.
Marble Palace
Once a private home, this extraordinary building has a wonderful collection of statues, paintings and antiquities from the private collection of Raja Rajendra Mullick, including paintings by Rubens and Joshua Reynolds. Famous for its marble walls and floors, this striking mansion was constructed in the mid 19th century and sports some impressive architecture. To visit, a permit is needed from the West Bengal Tourism Center.
46 Muktaram Babu Street, off Chittaranjan Avenue
Tel: (033) 2239 3310.
Victoria Memorial
Built from white marble and situated at the south end of the Maidan, this huge domed colonial building blends a combination of classical European architecture with Mughul influences to create one of the city's greatest landmarks. It is home to thousands of artifacts relating to the British Raj and other chapters of Indian history.
Queen's Way
Tel: (033) 2223 5142.
Website: www.victoriamemorial-cal.org
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1700.
Admission charge: Y.
The Maidan
This is one of the world's largest city parks, the 'lungs' of Kolkata, and home to the Victoria Memorial, Fort William and Eden Gardens. Also inside is the international cricket stadium Ranji Stadium, home to the nation's greatest sporting passion. Eden Gardens contains a small lake and pagoda bought from Myanmar in 1856.
Central Kolkata
Botanical Gardens
Founded in 1787 by the East India Company, these are the largest botanical gardens in India and a perfect place to get a little peace and quiet. The centerpiece is a 250-year-old banyan tree, said to be the second largest in the world, but other attractions worth seeing include the Palm House, Orchid House and Cacti area.
On the west bank of the Hooghly River
Park Street Cemetery
Recently restored, this peaceful place was first opened in 1767, when burials took place after dark with the aid of lit torches and sometimes included the pageantry of a military funeral, mainly to accommodate the large number of British who died serving their country. The cemetery is tranquil, lush, and deserted, with huge obelisks, pyramids and classical mausoleums of all shapes and sizes, set amidst gracious gardens. Job Charnock, the city's founder, is buried here.
Park Street
St Paul's Cathedral
Kolkata's principal place of Christian worship, and one of the most important in India, St Paul's was originally constructed between 1839 and 1847, but has been rebuilt several times due to earthquakes. Modelled on St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, it is chiefly noted for its impressive stained-glass windows.
Cathedral Road (Southern end of Maidan)
Tel: (033) 2223 0127.
Further Distractions
Belur Math
The headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission (named after the 19th-century Indian philosopher Ramakrishnan, preacher of unity of all religions), this center synthesises the architectural styles of Christianity, Islam and Hinduism to create a peaceful and meditative atmosphere. The complex was founded in 1899 by one of his disciples.
Grand Trunk Road, north of the city, on the western banks of the Hooghly
Tel: (033) 654 1144.
Website: www.ramakrishna.org/rmk_ordr.htm
Dakshineshwar Temple
On the banks opposite Belur Math (a boat links the two) to the north of the city, this is where Ramakrishna achieved a spiritual vision of equality of all religions. Dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali, it was built in 1847, and also contains 12 smaller temples in the courtyard dedicated to Shiva, Radha and Krishna. It's usually crowded.
Dakshineshwar, on the northeastern banks of the Hooghly River
Tel: (033) 2564 5222.
