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Flower Market, Kolkata

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Things to see in Kolkata

Tourist information: 

West Bengal Tourism Centre
3/2 BBD Bagh
Tel: (033) 2248 8271 or 5917.
www.wbtourism.com

India Tourism (Government of India Tourist Office)
4 Shakespeare Sarani, Chowringhee
Tel: (033) 2282 5813.

BBD Bagh

A riveting glimpse of colonial history and architecture is on display in this area, once known as Dalhousie Square but renamed Benoy Badal Dinesh Bagh after three freedom fighters, the martyrs of Bengal. When Queen Victoria took over the administration of India from the East India Company, Kolkata became the capital of British India.

On the north side is the huge Writers' Building , housing the Secretariat of the Government of West Bengal and on the south side is Raj Bhavan, residence of the Governor of West Bengal.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address:
Belur Math

The headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission (named after the 19th-century Indian philosopher Ramakrishnan, preacher of unity of all religions), this centre synthesises the architectural styles of Christianity, Islam and Hinduism to create a peaceful and meditative atmosphere. The complex was founded in 1899 by one of his disciples.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Grand Trunk Road, on the western banks of the Hooghly, India
Telephone: (033) 654 1144.
Website: http://www.ramakrishna.org/rmk_ordr.htm
Dakshineshwar Temple

On the banks opposite Belur Math (a boat links the two) to the north of the city, this is where Ramakrishna achieved a spiritual vision of equality of all religions. Dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali, it was built in 1847, and also contains 12 smaller temples in the courtyard dedicated to Shiva, Radha and Krishna. It's usually crowded.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Dakshineshwar, Kolkata, India
Telephone: (033) 2564 5222.
Indian Museum

The city's main museum has an enthralling (and huge) range of artefacts spread over several galleries devoted to archaeology, art, anthropology, geology, zoology and botany. Highlights include a prized collection of Buddhist art, rare paintings, an Egyptian mummy, and a reproduction of the Barhut Gateway, dating back to second century BC.

The impressive building is a sight in itself, built in 1875. Originally established in 1814, and moved to its present site in 1878, Calcutta's Indian Museum is the largest and best museum in the country. Founded by Dr Nathaniel Wallich and housed in a magnificent Italian-style building the museum has over 60 galleries and is divided into six different sections: archaeology, art, anthropology, geology, zoology and industry. The art section contains a picture gallery, with Persian- and Indian-style drawings and paintings, and also contains other artefacts and textiles, including silk-woven Tibetan temple banners.

Opening Times: 1000-1700 (March-Nov); 1000-1630 (Dec-Feb).
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: 27 Jawaharlal Nehru Road (corner of Sudder Street), Kolkata, India
Telephone: (033) 2249 9902.
Website: http://www.indianmuseumkolkata.org
Kali Temple

An important pilgrimage centre for Hindus, the original temple is supposed to have been built 350 years ago; this one dates back to 1809. Legend says that when the corpse of Sati, wife of Lord Shiva, was cut into pieces by Sidarshan Chakra, one of her toes fell here. Believed to be the original temple from the village of Kolikata, from where Kolkata took its name, this is a mind-stirring, if rather grim place; goats are regularly slaughtered here to honour the destroyer goddess Kali.

Opening Times: Daily 0500-1400, 1700-2230.
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Kalighat Road, Kolkata, India
Telephone: (033) 2223 1516.
Website: http://kalighat.jagaddhatri.com
Marble Palace

Once a private home, this extraordinary building has a wonderful collection of statues, paintings and antiquities from the private collection of Raja Rajendra Mullick, including paintings by Rubens and Joshua Reynolds. Famous for its marble walls and floors, this striking mansion was constructed in the mid 19th century and sports some impressive architecture. To visit, a permit is needed from the West Bengal Tourism Centre.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: 46 Muktaram Babu Street, Kolkata, India
Telephone: (033) 2239 3310.
Park Street Cemetery

Recently restored, this peaceful place was first opened in 1767, when burials took place after dark with the aid of lit torches and sometimes included the pageantry of a military funeral, mainly to accommodate the large number of British who died serving their country. The cemetery is tranquil, lush, and deserted, with huge obelisks, pyramids and classical mausoleums of all shapes and sizes, set amidst gracious gardens. Job Charnock, the city's founder, is buried here.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address:
St Paul's Cathedral

Kolkata's principal place of Christian worship, and one of the most important in India, St Paul's was originally constructed between 1839 and 1847, but has been rebuilt several times due to earthquakes. Modelled on St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, it is chiefly noted for its impressive stained-glass windows.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Cathedral Road (Southern end of Maidan), Kolkata, India
Telephone: (033) 2223 0127.
The Maidan

This is one of the world's largest city parks, the 'lungs' of Kolkata, and home to the Victoria Memorial, Fort William and Eden Gardens. Also inside is the international cricket stadium Ranji Stadium, home to the nation's greatest sporting passion. Eden Gardens contains a small lake and pagoda bought from Myanmar in 1856.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: The Maidan, Kolkata, India
Victoria Memorial

Built from white marble and situated at the south end of the Maidan, this huge domed colonial building blends a combination of classical European architecture with Mughul influences to create one of the city's greatest landmarks. It is home to thousands of artefacts relating to the British Raj and other chapters of Indian history.

Opening Times: Tues-Sun 1000-1700.
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Queen's Way, Kolkata, India
Telephone: (033) 2223 5142.
Website: http://www.victoriamemorial-cal.org

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