Tourism places in india - Kolkata

KOLKATA

 Calcutta-Kolkata is a city that means many things to many people. For some, Calcutta - Kolkata is the city of joy, while for others it is dirty, crowded, and noisy. Once the greatest colonial city in the Orient, Calcutta- Kolkata was later reviled as a cauldron of poverty, dirt, and disease. Today, it ranks among the four major metropolis of India along with Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. A mere village in the 17th century, Calcutta- Kolkata is not an ancient city like Delhi. Like Mumbai and Chennai, it originated largely due to the expansionist ambitions of the European powers, especially the British Raj. Little wonder, Calcutta- Kolkata has some of the finest Raj edifices built in a variety of styles.

Fast Facts

Area	:	1,380 sq km
Population	:	12 million
Altitude	:	17 ft above sea level
Languages	:	Bengali, Hindi, and English
Best time to visit	:	October to March
STD Code	:	033

History

The first capital of the British in India, Calcutta- Kolkata does not have an ancient history like Delhi. The city was established in 1686 when British moved to the small villages of Sutanati, Govindpur, and Kalikata from their trading port of Hooghly. The city got its name from the last of the settlements mentioned above. The city progressed well until 1756 when Siraj-Ud-Daula (Nawab of Bengal) attacked the town and drove away the British. Lord Clive retook Calcutta- Kolkata and until 1911, Calcutta- Kolkata remained the capital of the British government in India. Being the center of power for so long created a unique culture and heritage of the city, totally unlike any other city of India. The people here are proud of their culture and can go to any length to defend it. The humanity of the city can be felt only through visiting the place and not by reading.Best Season, Climate, and Clothing

As Calcutta- Kolkata is near the sea, the city has uniform temperature throughout the year. The temperature ranges from 12-27°C in the winter and 24-38°C in the summer. Annual rainfall is around 160 cm. Humidity level can be very high in the summers and can make one's life difficult. Cotton clothing is ideal for the summer months whereas light woolens are required for the winters.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

• The Victoria memorial- is one of the most beautiful monuments of India. A well laid out marble structure, emanates the spirit of European and Mughal architecture. The century old monument built in the honor of Queen Victoria, now converted into a museum preserves an exquisite collection of the rare specimens of the land.
• The Howrah Bridge- connecting Kolkata to Howrah is yet another wonder of the city, which has withstood the rigors of time. It is the third largest bridge in the world. The Hooghly flowing below the bridge exhibits the image of a painter drawing lines on his canvas.
• The Marble palace on muktaram Babu Street, C.R. Avenue in North Kolkata is built of Italian marble, stands amidst a lawn which has sculptures of Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary, other Hindu gods, Lord Buddha and Christopher Columbus. The rooms have numerous statues, paintings and oriental vases. Chandeliers dangle from its ceilings. The lamps on the stair cases bear testimony to creativity.
• The Indian Museum- built in 1874, is one of the oldest museums in India. It is a beautiful structure and it preserves the archaeological remains of history. The statue of a lion is placed at the entrance to the museum.
• The Eden Gardens -is a beautifully manicured garden in the North West part of the city. It also encompasses the cricket stadium which witnesses an electrifying atmosphere whenever the home team plays.
• Birla Planetarium- Our universe is brought into the narrow range of an oval space. Regular shows in Hindi and English are held.
• Kali Mandir- The temple is dedicated the goddess Kali, known for demolishing the evil. Tourists make it a point to visit this temple as they believe that the goddess will answer their quest.
• Belur Math- Belonging to the headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission, it was founded in 1899. It was planned by Swami Vivekananda in the memory of his master Ramakrishna Paramhansa. Each room is devoted to the worship of Ramakrishna, Vivekananda and Ma sharada. The arti that is held every evening by the holy saints of the place is a mark of serenity and purity.
• Other important tourist destinations in Kolkata are Fort William, Maidan, BBD Bagh, Dakshineswar, Botanical Gardens, Tagore House, Nakhoda Mosque, Raj Bhawan, Town Hall, Nirmal Hriday and St. Paul's Cathedral