Places of Interest in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Places to visit in Kolkata (Calcutta)

Tourist Spots in Kolkata, Sightseeing in Kolkata

BIRLA INDUSTRIAL & TECHNOLOGICAL MUSEUM:

A center for industrial and technological learning, Birla Industrial & Technological Museum is a seat of modern science and technology for students, researchers and interested visitors. The museum hosts a workshop, which designs and produces much of its exhibits. It remains open everyday except on Mondays, and host’s regular astronomical shows. These are elaborated with commentaries followed in English, Hindi and Bengali. Extra shows are hosted in Hindi and Bengali on Sundays and Holidays. The place of interest is located at a distance of 15 Kms approximately from Howrah Railway Station.

M.P. Birla Planetarium

M.P. Birla Planetarium was founded on September, 1962, although the public community show hall was exclusively opened for the public view on 2nd of July, 1963. Inaugurated by our ex-prime minister Mr. Jawahar Lal Nehru, the planetarium is an excellent one stop shop for any kind of knowledge activities, related to astronomy and space science. Hosting several courses, for different target audiences, the planetarium also has M phil courses for budding astronomers in Kolkata.

BIRLA INDUSTRIAL & TECHNOLOGICAL MUSEUM:

A Centre for industrial and technological learning, Birla Industrial & Technological Museum is a seat of modern science and technology for students, researchers and interested visitors. The museum hosts a workshop, which designs and produces much of its exhibits. It remains open everyday except on Mondays, and host’s regular astronomical shows. These are elaborated with commentaries followed in English, Hindi and Bengali. Extra shows are hosted in Hindi and Bengali on Sundays and Holidays. The place of interest is located at a distance of 15 Kms approximately from Howrah Railway Station.

CHANDANNAGAR:

DIAMOND HARBOUR:

46 Kms South of Kolkata, Diamond Harbour is a scenic picnic spot by the banks of the River Hooghly. The destination is famous as picnic spot, and is located at the confluence of Ganges and Bay of Bengal. The site represents an ancient port of Kolkata. About 64 Kms south of the site, is Sagar Island, which hosts one of the most popular festivals in Bengal, the Makar Sankranti. A very famous fair is held here, which is commonly called ‘Gangasagar Mela’. The place of interest is situated at a distance of 56 Kms from Howrah Railway Station.

EDEN GARDENS:

In the northwest comer of the maidan are the small and pleasantly laid out Eden Gardens, with a small lake, and a pagoda brought here from Myanmar in 1856. The Ranji Stadium, the world’s second largest venue for test matches is also within the gardens.  Identified as one of the oldest cricket grounds in Kolkata, Eden Gardens came into existence in the year 1864. The stadium provides room for best cricket facilities in India, and is known as ‘Lords’ of Asia’. The place of interest is situated at a distance of 4 kms from Howrah Railway Station.

GURUSADAV MUSEUM:

This museum houses a rich collection of folk arts and crafts of Bengal and is located at Bratcharigran, Joka. Open on all weekdays except on Thursdays, it forms a live representation of the cultural aspects of Bengal. The museum has a room for Bengal Patachitras wherein the painters employ various materials like clay and dry fabric. The museum is located at a distance of 10 Kms from Howrah Railway Station approximately.

HOWRAH BRIDGE (also known as RABINDRA SETU):

The most popular and important gateway to Kolkata, Rabindra Setu happens to be the only road connector to Kolkata. Being the third largest cantilever bridge, it connects Kolkata to its main railway station. The bridge is 1500 feet long, 71 feet wide and 270 ft high.

INDIAN BOTANICAL GARDENS:

Extended over an area of 109 hectares, Botanical Garden, Howrah provides a green balcony for the busy interface of Kolkata and Howrah. The Foundation stone being laid in 1787, it houses, specialties like the palm house, orchid house and cacti area, with a collection for rare species of plants. Easiest access is provided thru’ Howrah Bridge or thru’ ferry services from Metiabruz. The place of interest is situated, at a distance of 7 Kms from Howrah Railway Station.

INDIAN MUSEUM:

One of the oldest heritage structures, Indian Museum is situated on the corner of Sudder Street and Chowringhee Road, in Kolkata. Constructed in 1875, the museum provides archives on various aspects such as archeology, anthropology, geology, zoology and industry. Memorable relics from the Indus Valley Civilization, provides for one of the best displays. The museum remains open during Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 am till 04:30 p.m. The museum is located at a distance of 11 Kms approximately from Howrah Railway Station.

KOLKATA HIGH COURT:

An emblem of justice, Kolkata High Court is situated near Eden Gardens.  Being the highest seal of judiciary in West Bengal and constructed in 1872, the body by itself, forms an important landmark for the city of Joy.  Built in the Gothic style with columns ornamented with beautiful capitals of cane stone, an extension was added later, which retains its architectural symmetry. The High Court is located at a distance of 6 Kms from the Howrah Railway Station.

MARBEL PALACE:
Situated in north Kolkata, the Marble Palace has a collection of statues and original paintings including works of Rubens and Sir Joshua Reynolds. The architecture is built over Italian Marble and was named by Lord Minto. The design consists of 126 different types of marbles and special attractions include a room decorated with mirrors, collection of exquisite clocks, a fountain, besides antique structures and painting. The structure remains open 4 days in a week between 10:00 am to 4: 00 pm. The place of interest is situated at a distance of 16 Kms from the Howrah Railway Station.

METRO RAIL:
An enormous pride, a vast network, Kolkata Metro Rail is an emblem of modern technology. Transportation at its best, as defined, Kolkata Metro Rail plays a key role as a connector between South and North Kolkata, i.e. from Tollygunge to Dum Dum. The metro rail provides easy access to different parts of the city, and provides a unique experience for tourists’. It helps to avoid chaotic traffic situation and enjoy the sight of ‘ City of Joy’.

NEHRU CHILDRENS MUSEUM:
A project of National Cultural Association, Nehru Children’s Museum is located at the crossing of Chowringhee and A. J. C. Bose Road.  it houses dolts and puppets depicting the Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, which touches the heart of children visitors. The museum remains open between Wednesday till Sunday 12 noons to 8 p.m., and between Monday and Tuesday between 3 p. m. to 8 p.m. The museum is situated at a distance of 13 Kms from the Howrah Railway Station.

RAICHAK

A small town in the South 24 Parganas, in West Bengal Raichak can be identified as a semi urban destination promoting simple livelihood. Located on the bank of river Hooghly, the destination can be easily reached from Diamond Harbour. The most important attraction is the Raddisson Chain of resorts, which has helped in promoting the destination as a day – tourist spot. It is about 56 Kms approximately from the Howrah Railway Station.

SHAHID MINAR:

SUNDARBANS:

Located at the extreme south in the state of West Bengal, the largest single block of mangrove forest is identified as Sunderbans. The total area covered is 10,000 square kilometres, majority of which falls in Bangladesh. Home to a large number of wild species, the forest is famous sharing a complex ecosystem, hosting natural flora and fauna of various types. Declared as an UNESCO heritage site, the forest has been declared as reserve forest, in the year 1865. The forest provides shelter to at least 120 species of commercially important fishes, 270 species of birds, 42 species of mammals, 35 reptiles and eight amphibian species, few of which are becoming extinct in other parts of the globe. The forest is one of the largest reserves of Royal Bengal Tigers.

West Bengal Tourism runs a launch service and organizes an overnight stay on the launch. Sundarbans is located at a distance of 98 Kms from Howrah Railway Station.

VICTORIA MEMORIAL HALL:

Another ancient structure decorating Kolkata is Victoria Memorial Hall, a huge museum, which is a combination of classical European architecture, with a Mughal touch. Surrounded by extensive greenery, Victoria Memorial Hall is an ideal place, which provides a respite for local tourists amidst serenity of nature.

*A fine of Rs. 100/- wil be payable for littering in Victoria Memorial Hall.
*Entry of Plastic carry bags is not permitted in Victoria Memorial Hall.
*Photography inside the hall is prohibited.

VIDYASAGAR SETU:

A marvelous form of architecture, connecting Kolkata and Howrah, Vidyasagar Setu is the second suspension bridge on the river Hooghly. The bridge is cable stayed with a span of 457 meters approximately. The construction work started in 1978, and the bridge was inaugurated on the 10th of October, 1992.

ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN: