Kolkata, has been nicknamed the City of Joy. City of Joy comes from the lively and friendly and loving behavior of all the citizens all over the places making the city more lively and enjoyable. Kolkata is locally regarded as the intellectual and cultural capital of the nation.
Kolkata witnessed a spate of frenzied construction activity of buildings largely influenced by the conscious intermingling of Neo-Gothic, Baroque, Neo-Classical, Oriental and Islamic schools of design. Unlike many north Indian cities, whose construction stresses minimalist, the layout of much of the architectural variety in Kolkata owes its origins to European styles and tastes imported by the British and, to a much lesser extent, the Portuguese and French. Kolkata is a city that shocks and charms any visitor. Kolkata is a daily festival of human existence.
Kalighat Kali Temple is a Hindu temple in West Bengal, India dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. Kalighat was a Ghat (landing stage) sacred to Kali on the old course of the Hooghly river (Bhāgirathi) in the city of Calcutta. The name Calcutta is said to have been derived from the word Kalighat.
Belur Math is located on the banks of the river Hooghly in West Bengal. It was built in 1938. Belur Math is well known for its tranquil beauty. Belur Math is the international headquarter of the Ramakrishna Mission which was established by Swami Vivekananda in loving memory of his teacher Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa who preached for unity of all religions.
Dakshineswar Kali Temple is a Hindu temple located in Dakshineswar near Kolkata. The temple was built by Rani Rashmoni, a philanthropist and a devotee of Kali in 1855. The temple is famous for its association with Ramakrishna, a mystic of 19th Century Bengal.
Pareshnath Temple was built by Rai Badridas Bahadoor Mookim in 1867. The Temple has displays of exquisite designs and it is an impressive structure consisting of mirror-inlaid pillars and windows that have made of stained glass. The interiors of the temple are splendidly beautiful, along with the outdoors.
St. Paul's Cathedral is a Anglican cathedral in Kolkata, noted for its Gothic architecture. It is the seat of the Diocese of Calcutta. The cornerstone was laid in 1839, the building was completed in 1847. It is said to be the largest cathedral in Kolkata and the first Episcopal Church in Asia. It was also the first cathedral built in the overseas territory of the British Empire.
Nakhoda Mosque is located in Jacquaria Street, near the junction of Chitpore Road and Mahatma Gandhi Road in Kolkata. Nakhoda Mosque of Kolkata in the beginning was a small mosque. It was as late in 1926, when resident of Kutch, Abdar Rahim Osman built the present structure. Nakhoda Mosque of Kolkata is the biggest of its kind in Kolkata.
St. John's Church
St. John’s Church, originally a cathedral, was among the first public buildings erected by the East India Company after Kolkata became the effective capital of British India. Construction of the St. John’s Church started in 1784, with Rs 30,000 raised through a public lottery and was completed in 1787.
Armenian Church
The Armenian Holy Church of Nazareth is an Armenian Apostolic church and is called "Mother Church of the Indian Armenians". It is possibly the oldest church in the Kolkata area. It was built in 1724 by Agha Nazar after a fire destroyed the previous Armenian church that had been built on the land in 1688. The church's interior is decorated with marble. A staircase leads to a galleries section where the walls are adorned with inset frescoes and paintings.
Howrah Bridge is popularly known as Rabindra Setu in West Bengal. Howrah Bridge in Kolkata spans over river Hooghly and is considered to be a marvelous engineering work by the British. The Howrah Bridge is enumerated amongst the busiest cantilever bridge in the World.
Rabindra Sadan is the hub of the prime Bengali culture in the the metropolitan city of Kolkata. The large stage of Rabindra Sadan is a premier venue for 'Bangla' theater and other cultural activities of the city. Rabindra Sadan of Kolkata is a major entertainment zone and cultural center for the Bengali society where you can view dramas, dance, cultural programs and exhibitions every evening.
The Victoria Memorial of Kolkata is a majestic structure in white marble, modeled on TajMahal. The Victoria Memorial was built in memory of Queen Victoria in the early 20th Century. The total expenditure of building Victoria Memorial was around Rs 1,50,000,000.
The Vidyasagar Setu, popularly known as the second Hooghly Bridge is situated about 2 kilometers south of Howrah Bridge, Kolkata. The Vidyasagar Setu is the latest suspension bridge of Kolkata across the Hooghly connecting the city to its twin city of Howrah.
Kolkata Race Course is one of the biggest race course in India. Kolkata Race Course was built in 1820 and well-kept by the Royal Turf Club of Kolkata. Kolkata Race Course is the renowned horse race venues in India where the country's most prestigious racing events such as the Calcutta Derby and the Queen Elizabeth Cup are organized at a regular interval. The Race Course of Kolkata is located in the south-western point of the green Kolkata Maidan.
The National library is located at the Belvedere Estate very near to the Alipore Zoo in Kolkata. The National library of Kolkata is the largest library in India. The National library was the residence of the former Lieutenant Governor of West Bengal. The library at present contains almost 2 million books and half a million documents.
The Shahid Minar in Kolkata, West Bengal was built by Sir David Ochterlony in the year 1948 to immortalize his astounding triumph in the Nepal War that took place in the period between 1814 and 1816. This skyscraper monument standing at approximately 48 meters enlightens the night sky of the Maidan region situated in the hub of Kolkata, as it is superficially illuminated by a dazzling shower of bright light from all its corners.
The Marble Palace in Kolkata is an exquisitely engineered palatial mansion that was built by Raja Rajendra Mullick Bahadur, who was one of the wealthiest landlords of West Bengal in the year 1835. It's sheer magnificence and scintillating artistry will surely captivate you in a state of trance.
The MP Birla Planetarium in Kolkata, West Bengal came into existence on 29th September, 1962 and officially opened to the public with an inaugural address by PanditJawaharLal Nehru on 2nd July,1963. It was first of its kind in whole of India and the mightiest in entire Asia. Ever since its beginning, it has proved to be an asset for the common people as well as the students in understanding the different sorts of phenomenon that take place in the ever so mysterious space.
Birla Industrial Museum or Birla Industrial and Technological Museum is situated at 19A, Gurusaday Road in South Kolkata. Birla Industrial Museum of Kolkata was founded in 1956. It was initiated by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). It was the untiring effort of Dr. BC Roy, the then Chief Minister of West Bengal, that the Birlas gave away the building and the adjacent piece of land. This actually was a property of Satyendranath Tagore. In the year 1978 the Birla Industrial Museum of Kolkata has been brought under the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM). The basic objective of the museum is to evoke the thirst for science and a concept of technology amongst the mass, particularly the students.
Rabindra Bharti Museum of Kolkata is popularly known as 'JorashankoThakurbari' which is the home of Rabindranath Tagore. It is near Girish Park on ChittaranjanAvenue.It was constructed in the 18th century by Prince Dwarkanath Tagore (grandfather of Rabindranath Tagore). The premise houses several buildings. The Rabindra Bharti Museum of Kolkata, an integral part of the University is a significant reserve of the works of the Tagore, particularly of Abanindranath and Rabindranath.
Birla Art Museum of Kolkata is a state gallery depicting the traditional and cultural heritage of India as well as a permanent showcase of Indian contemporary art. It is situated at RabindraSarobar, Kolkata. Birla Art Museum was founded in 1966. Paintings of the medieval age and modern art and various archaeological remains are displayed here. Frequent exhibitions by the contemporary Indian sculptors and painters are held.
The country's first wax museum, which has 19 statues of famous personalities on the lines of the world-famous Madame Tussauds, was inaugurated in Kolkata. The Mother's Wax Museum has statues of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and film star Amitabh Bachchan, has been set up in the satellite township of Rajarhat New Town. The museum features life-like wax figures of icons and celebrities.
The Zoological Garden in Kolkata consists of a hoard of animals within its premises. The Zoological Garden, which was the first of its kind in the whole of Asia, was established by the 'Burra Sahibs' and the 'Bengali Babus' of Kolkata, who intended to make Kolkata, the then capital of the East India Company, at par with the European capital cities.
Agri Horticultural Garden is situated near the Zoological garden of Kolkata and is one of the most famous horticultural gardens of India. Founded by William Carey in the year 1820, the Agri Horticultural Garden has a large collection of flowering plants.
Nicco Park, one of the most popular and largest amusement parks in the east, covers an area of around 40 acres. The park holds the rare honor of being the first amusement park in the world to be certified with SA 8000 (Social Accountability) certification, the first in Asia to be certified with ISO 14001 (Environment Management System) and the first amusement park in India to be certified with ISO 9001 (Quality Management System).
Science City was set up in the year 1997. It is located in the eastern region of Kolkata. Science City is the brainchild of the National Council of Science Museums. Science City is not only an amusement park but you gain lots of knowledge from this place on Science and Technology. People of all age groups enjoy the trip to Science City.
Millennium Park in Kolkata is located on the banks of River Hooghly at Strand Road near BBD Bagh. Millennium Park was set up on 1st January 2000 and was first of its kind park in Kolkata. Its an amusement park for people of all ages.
New Town Eco Park is an urban park in Rajarhat, Kolkata. The park is situated on a 480 acres (190 ha) plot and is surrounded by a 104 acres (42 ha) waterbody with an island in the middle.
Glass House on Sabuj Sathi, Amphitheatre, Lake Front Promenade, Rabi Aranya, Tropical Tree Garden, Wild Flower Meadow and Formal Garden, Rose Garden, Artist’s Cottage, Eco Children’s Park, Graffiti Walls, Butterfly Garden, Play Area, Bamboo Garden, Fruits Garden, Food Court, Musical Fountain, Mask Garden, Eco Island
Paddle Boating, Shikara Riding, Rowing, Duo Cycling, Speed Boat, Bird Watching, Gun Shooting, Archery, Kayaking, Land Zorbing and Water Zorbing, Cultural Events, Gaming Zone.