10 PLACES TO VISIT IN KOLKATA

Kolkata (Bengali:কলকাতা) [] (formerly Calcutta) is the capital of West Bengal and the second-largest city in India (after Mumbai). If Bangalore is the Seattle of India, then Kolkata is the sub-continents London. Long known as the cultural capital of India, Kolkata continues to spawn generations of poets, writers, film producers, and Nobel Prize winners. If your trip only allows for a visit of one or two of India's metropolitan cities, then definitely consider placing Kolkata on your itinerary. Love it or hate it, you definitely won't forget the city on the Hooghly.

10 PLACES TO VISIT IN KOLKATA-

1) VICTORIA MEMORIAL-

The Victoria Memorial, a huge monument made of white marble located in the heart of the City of Joy, Kolkata (erstwhile Calcutta) in West Bengal, India is one of the most famous monuments in West Bengal that has become a museum and popular tourist spot of the state. A brainchild of George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston and Viceroy of India, this monument epitomizing beauty and elegance was dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria (1819–1901). This grand and exquisite memorial not only stands as a reminiscence to the rule of the British Crown in the Indian subcontinent but also stands out as an excellent architectural gem in Indo-Saracenic revivalist style. It is a must-visit tourist destination for first-time visitors to experience the essence of the Victorian era amid the bustling metro city of Kolkata.

2) BELUR MATH-

Belur Math is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda. This temple is the heart of the Ramakrishna Movement. The temple is notable for its architecture that fuses Hindu, Christian and Islamic motifs as a symbol of unity of all religions.

Belur Math, sprawling over forty acres of land on the western bank of the Hooghly (Ganga), in Howrah district, an hour’s drive from Kolkata, is a place of pilgrimage for people from all over the world professing different religious faiths. Even people not interested in religion come here for the peace it exudes.

Experience an elevating spiritual ambiance that has made Belur Math an important place of pilgrimage for people all over the world.

3) 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 a 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.

Howrah Bridge was the third-longest cantilever bridge at the time of its construction, but now it is the sixth-longest one of its types. It was renamed Rabindra Setu on June 14, 1965, after the name of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. It spreads about 1500 ft over the Hooghly River and is 71 ft wide. There is a total of 8 lanes of strand road, bicycles, and pedestrians. What makes this bridge unique is the fact that it was built without a single nut or bolt and is held together by rivets.

4) PRINCEPS GHAT-

Prinsep Ghat, located on the banks of River Hooghly, is a majestic structure famous for its Greek/ Gothic inlays. The beauty of Princep Ghat draws architecture and history buffs in large numbers, but even locals visit to absorb the regal vibe of the attraction. With the magnificent Howrah Bridge in the background, watching the sunrise or sunset and taking a long walk in the cool air on the banks of the river are some of the preferred recreational activities here.

5) MOTHER'S WAX MUSEUM-

Inspired by Madame Tussauds in London, Mother’s Wax Museum came into existence in November 2014. Ever since the place is nothing short of a major tourist attraction. The wax statues in the museum have been segregated into departments such as; History & Leaders, Sports, Bollywood, Hollywood and lastly Music. It’s Mother’s promise to have something special for all her visitors.

6) MARBLE PALACE MANSION-

The only colossal structure that stands in a small lane of Muktaram Babu Street of North Kolkata is Raja Rajendra Miullick’s palatial house, popularly known as the Marble Palace.

The façade of the privately-owned mansion is built in neoclassical style, and still continues to be the residence of Rajendra Mullick’s descendants and is considered the most preserved monuments of Kolkata.

The mansion is surrounded by sprawling lawns, along with fountains and a private zoo. The galleries of the mansion are overstuffed with statues, portraits, mirrors, chandeliers and paintings that are by English, Dutch and Italian artists.

7) SCIENCE CITY KOLKATA-

One of its kind in India, the Science City was inaugurated on 1st July 1997. It is a major attraction for the residents of Kolkata as well as for the people visiting Kolkata. It is one of the finest and the largest science museums in the world and provides a fun way of learning science. Under the National Council of Science Museums, the Science City in Kolkata is the largest science center in the entire Indian Subcontinent. It is a governmental organization under the Ministry of Culture and the main motto of the Science City was the popularisation of science. It is located at the crossing of the EM Bypass and the JBS Halder Avenue in Kolkata. The science city is a perfect blend of education with fun. There is a special section dedicated to the aquatic world wherein you can learn every minute detail about the various fishes and insects in the aquatic world. Some of the most exotic fishes can be seen in these aquariums. All in all, the science city is going to offer you a phenomenal experience with your friends and family and totally make your holiday worth it.

The ground floor of the science city comprises of some optical illusions which are very interesting to look at. It is always so much fun to watch yourself taking a variety of shapes in front of the optical mirrors. The city is located on the crossing of Eastern Bypass and Park Circus at Kolkata and should be a sure shot stop on your trip to Kolkata. It is a favorite amongst kids as well as adults. Tornado, the energy ball, ocean waves, and quicksand are a must-watch. Time Machine is a common favorite amongst all the visitors. It allows one to travel to outer space from where you can travel back in time and enter the age of dinosaurs by being a part of the artificial Jurassic Park. You can try the ropeway as well and get a bird's eye view of the city.

8) INDIAN MUSEUM-

The ninth oldest museum of the world and largest in India, the Indian Museum is located in the city of joy - Kolkata. The foundation stone of the Indian Museum was laid down in the year 1814 and has been a center of multidisciplinary activities ever since. Popularly known as 'Jaguar', it has the finest collection of contemporary paintings, sacred relics of Buddha, Egyptian mummies and ancient sculptures. In addition to these, the Indian Museum boasts of some of the most exquisite collections of ornaments, fossils, skeletons, antiques, armors, and stunning Mughal paintings.

Presently, the museum has 35 galleries which have been divided into six categories namely Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology, and Economic Botany. For those inquisitive about history, there is also a library and bookshop present within the museum premises. Indian Museum recently celebrated its bicentennial anniversary with great fervor in February 2014. With its splendid collection, the museum takes you back in time to witness our fascinating past.

9) TAJPUR BEACH-

Tucked between Mandarmani and Shankarpur, Tajpur is a small town set on the tranquil shore of the Bay of Bengal, just 170 km from Kolkata. Considered to be a serene secret of West Bengal, the virgin beach is hidden away from view and is still untouched by commercialization and tourism. Bereft of chaos and cacophony, it provides the perfect escape from the hustle-bustle of city life. The highlight of the pristine beach is the hundreds of red crabs that are found on the shores which also give a perfect crimson color to the beach. Besides, unlike the usual crescent-shaped beaches, this one is an inverted crimson in shape. Fringed by dense eucalyptus, tamarisk and casuarina trees, the secluded beach is perfect to just laze on a hammock and spend some time in solitude amidst the sun, sea, and sand.

10) ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL CHURCH-

Located in the heart of the City of Joy - Kolkata, St Paul's is an Anglican cathedral that operates under CNI – Church of North India. 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. Travelers 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 colorful 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. The cathedral complex also houses several memorabilia of past congregants and a library where books as old as the church's foundation time still exist donated by founding member Bishop Wilson.

Useful Information for Travelers-

Fairlie Place

(Railway Booking Center for Foreign Tourist Quota Tickets)

If you’re booking onward travel via railway and your hotel or travel agency can’t book it for you (aka the trains you want are full), you’ll be directed to Fairlie Place. Fairlie Place is the official railway booking center and the place where you can check on and reserve foreign quota train tickets (generally, a few train seats on each train is reserved for foreign tourist travel and if your train is booked full, there’s a chance there may be a seat open if you’re a foreign traveler. Doors open around 8A or 9A. Location: Strand Rd, Fairley Place, B B D Bagh, Kolkata. It is a 15-minute walk from the Mullick Ghat flower market.

You can see schedules and book trains and VIP/long-distance buses/flights on your own online, but trains aren’t easy. You’ll need to register with the IRTC and then register at Make My Trip and link the two accounts together. I can’t remember what type of credit card is accepted; just that a Visa (what I don’t have) is okay.

Communication: Internet and Indian SIM Cards-

A data plan with the internet is essential for me as a travel blogger. Many budget guesthouses in Kolkata do not have WiFi and internet cafes are not common. On my first day, I went shopping for a place to buy SIM cards. While my hotel was keen to offer advice about getting a SIM from the shop around the corner, it was actually not easy to find. So I went to the official Vodaphone store on Esplanade street. It’s a few blocks from the subway and near a tech mart on the corner.

Read more about Getting an Indian SIM and mobile hotspots, USB internet sticks, etc.

Getting Around Kolkata-

From the airport

It’s best to take the prepaid taxis and book it from the taxi counter inside. They will give you a ticket which you’ll give the driver.

Note: There is only one ATM inside the airport in arrivals, but there is also a money changer. If the ATM is down, you might be directed to one outside the airport. Keep in mind, once you leave the airport, you cannot come back in.

Types of Transportation in Kolkata-

Getting around Kolkata isn’t so difficult. Aside from the standard Ambassador taxis, you can get around using the city bus, tram or metro.

The metro is the easiest and inexpensive way to get around most sightseeing parts of the city. There are places the metro can’t reach which the city bus can, such as Mullick Ghat Flower Market and Howrah Bridge. If you’re using the bus, ask locals or an officer to help you find one and hail it… sometimes you have to flag it down) or an auto-rickshaw (maybe even a shared one! For intrepid travelers on a budget, keep your eyes peeled for shared autorickshaws. Used by locals, the shared rickshaw drops passengers along a certain route. Often you’ll notice them waiting around gathering passengers and you can ask if they’re going to your location. The driver won’t leave until he has a full vehicle and locals are typically charged a fraction of the normal cost. Travelers still might pay a tourist price but it’s worth the experience, being squished between Indian passengers as you witness how many can pile into your car.

Read Complete Guide to Transportation in India-

You’ll see old blue cable car trams and these are often headed to the BBD Bagh area, which is known as the government area, where you’ll also see much colonial architecture.

As I mentioned in this list, there are two main train stations— Sealdah Train Station and Howrah Station. Read more on taking Indian trains and getting a foreign tourist quota.

HOPE MY BLOG HELPS YOU DURING YOUR VISIT TO KOLKATA.