Kolkata (Calcutta)

The city of joy India and a regular festival of human existence, Kolkata is the city of some of the greatest personalities of India like Rabindranath Tagore, guru-philosopher Ramakrishna, Mother Teresa, and Satyajit Ray.
Kolkata was the center of trade for East India Company in India ans was founded by Job Charnok in 1690. During the British Empire, Kolkata remained their capital till 1911.
Often considered as cultural capital of India, Kolkata can be described as noble and squalid, cultured and desperate. Kolkata always take pride in being called as thehome to four Nobel laureates - Ronald Ross, Rabindranath Tagore, Mother Teresa and Amartya Sen.

The city is situated on the banks of river Hooghly and is the gateway to Eastern India. Kolkata is full of colonial architecture and some of the semi collapsed building of British era simply attracts the tourists to this place.

The city was on the rent roll for most of the times in the past 400 years. Great Mughal emperor Akbar also had his share on the rent roll list. On his arrival in India in 1690Job Charnock took the lease of three villages - Sutanuti, Govindapur and Kolikata, which is not referred to as Kolkata.

Kolkata became more famous and powerful during the reins of Siraj-Ud-Dawlah. He was the last independent nawab of Bengal. The city started to flourish when the British regained the power under Robert Clive in 1757. After that, Kolkata became the seat of power in 1772 for British and was allocated the seat of Supreme Court of Justice and all administrative powers to handle revenues.

Still regarded as a poor city and full of slums, the city is developing into a modern city now and big industries have been shifted in the outskirts of the city.

Goddess Kali, Lord Shiva's consort is the patron goddess of the place. The passion of the local people can be seen in the same spirit whether in the form of sacrifices during national struggles or taking part in other national activities.

The places to visit in Kolkata are:

• Fort William

• Victoria Memorial

• Eden Gardens (Stadium)

• Birla Planetarium

• Howrah Bridge

• Marble Palace

• Writer's Building

• Nicco Park

• Saheed Minar

• National Library

• Belur Math

• Botanical Gardens

 

 

 

 

 

 

The capital of West Bengal, is situated along the banks of the Hooghly river. Calcutta’s, 300 years history traces to the landing of Robert Clive on the banks of the Hooghly.

Calcutta now called “Kolkata” was the first headquarters of the East India Company – the British trading establishment which later formed the foothold of the British Empire in this country.

Kolkata as an important historical trading port attracted several communities and one can still see the influence of the Chinese, Jewish and Armenian communities.

 

Things to Do

• Take a walk along the river. There is a good promenade near Eden Garden.

• Take a stroll down memory lane at Princep ghat.

• Take a boat cruise in small boats under the starlit sky at Outram Ghat.

• Take an Auto Rickshaw / Tuk Tuk ride from Chandni Chowk to Lohapool, the driver will take you through some back alleys and narrow roads of Kolkata, sit tight and keep faith on the driver.

• Several modern cinemas are dotted around the city, including INOX at the Forum Shopping Mall and the City Centre in Salt Lake, 89 Cinemas at Swabhumi near Salt Lake City and Fame at Metropolis Mall in Highland Park, RDB Adlabs at RDB Boulevard, Near Infinity Building in Sector 5, Saltlake, all showing Indian and American blockbusters.

• Nandan, 1/1 AJC Bose Road, (east of Rabindra Sadan metro station) +33 2223 1210. The symbol of art and culture in the city and the site of the Kolkata Film Festival every November.

• Football (soccer) is a passion for many Kolkatans with the national clubs, Mohun Bagan Athletic Club and East Bengal Club being the best known teams.

• The Kolkata Book Fair takes place from the last week of January to the first week of February. This is the largest book fair in Asia and is a major event in the city.

• Durga Puja, a festival honoring the Hindu goddess Durga, takes place in October. The biggest festival for Hindus in Bengal and Eastern India, Kolkata takes on an almost carnival like ambiance. Streets shut down for the construction of pandals, large stands that depict events from the Ramayana and crowds flock to the biggest and best ones. A great time to visit Kolkata (unless you have a fear of crowds!).

Content courtesy: Wikipedia & WikiTravel