Known as Calcutta until a few years ago, Kolkata is unanimously
acknowledged as the cultural capital of India. Situated on the banks of the
Hooghly River, and immortalised by the Hollywood film 'City of Joy', it is
a welcoming city that throbs with vibrant life forces.
Kolkata was the former capital of the British Empire in India and vestiges
of colonial rule are still visible in the architecture and monuments. The city's
main landmark is undoubtedly the Howrah Bridge. Spanning the Hooghly River,
it is a fine specimen of structural workmanship.
Considering that Kolkata is home to India's heaviest concentration of writers,
poets and artists, it is not surprising that the city boasts an array of museums
and art centres. Notable among these are Birla Academy of Art & Culture,
Calcutta Museum, Centre of International Modern Art, Indian Museum, Nehru Children's
Museum and Science City.
Epitomising the cultural spirit of Kolkata was the brilliant poet, novelist,
playwright and artist Rabindranath Tagore, who took India to the world by becoming
Asia's first Nobel Prize winner for literature. Tagore House is now a centre
for Indian dance, drama and music and also houses an impressive museum.
The Victoria Memorial, an imposing structure built of white marble houses
an impressive
collection of enormous oil paintings from the British colonial period in the
Royal Gallery.
The monument was built in the early 19th century to honour the then monarch,
and last Empress of India, Queen Victoria.
Of Kolkata's modern attractions, the most impressive is the Birla Planetarium.
Reputed to be the largest in the world, you can sit back and enjoy a spectacular
view of the stars and heavenly bodies.
One of the best times to visit Kolkata is during the Durga Puja (usually in
October/November), when the city comes alive in a medley of colour, music,
dance and lights. Any description of Kolkata would be incomplete without mentioning
the unstinting and selfless services of Mother Teresa. Her legion of helpers,
called the Missionaries of Charity, run a centre for the dying and destitute.
Visitors are welcome to drop in and make a donation.
Off the beaten track, you can visit the Sunderbans Wildlife Sanctuary, which
is an impressive mangrove swamp, a World Heritage site and home to one of the
largest tiger populations of any park worldwide.
Fact file:
Currency:
Indian Rupee
Local
time:
GMT+5.5
Main
language:
Bengali, but Hindi and English
are also widely spoken
Leather goods, carved wooden
figurines and hand-woven fabrics are definitely recommended. The Madhubani
print is generic to Bengal and is available at government-run handicraft
showrooms. Many modern and swanky shopping malls have also cropped up around
the city.
Transport:
Taxis are the best way
for visitors to get around, though you must make sure you get into the
metered ones. The city also boasts a very efficient
metro system.
Cuisine:
Every conceivable kind of cuisine
is available in Mumbai and prices range from a few rupees on street stalls
to fine dining in the many five-star hotels. Goan cuisine is predominantly
non-vegetarian and seafood, which is bountiful, is highly recommended.
Vindaloo originates from Goa.
Infants are not provided with a seat. If your baby is more than 6 months old, you may book a seat for him/her listing him/her as a “child”. More information is available at carriage of infants.
