India /West Benga/Kolkata/Kolkata

Kolkata, earlier known as Calcutta is one of the most populated cities in India. Capital of the erstwhile British Empire, the city is resplendent with multitudinous colonial structures. Among the most popular attraction of the city is the Victoria Memorial, where Queen Victoria spent a few years of her life. The city also has the oldest museum in India, the Indian Museum, which houses the only ‘Mummy’ in India among other rare artifacts. Kolkata is also sobriquet as ‘The city of joy’ the city is a perfect blend of the colonial charm and modernity. Some of the most interesting places from tourism point of view are the Eden Garden, Birla Planetarium, Nicco Park, Marble Palace and Howrah Bridge. The city is a major metropolitan and also is home to the world heritage site of the Sundarbans Forest. The best time to visit the city is during the month of October, when the celebrations of the most popular festival ‘Durga Puja’ is at its maximum. Visit the city to enjoy the quintessential charm that still resides in the narrow lane and by lanes of the streets that sell authentic handicrafts of West Bengal.

Quick Facts-Edit

Category : Historical

Time Zone: UTC + 5:30 Hours

Pincode: 700001‎

STD Code: 33

Info Website: westbengal.gov.in

Best Time to Visit:  October – March

HistoryEdit

Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta in English, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal and is located in eastern India on the east bank of the River Hooghly. In the Hindu epics, the God Shiva was understandably dismayed to happen upon the charred corpse of Sati, his newly wed wife (an incarnation of Kali). However, his decision to destroy the world in retribution was considered somewhat of an over-reaction by fellow deities. Vishnu interceded to stop Shiva’s ‘dance of destruction’, but in so doing dismembered Sati’s cadaver into 51 pieces. These gory chunks landed at widely disbursed points across India. One of her toes fell at Kalikata (now Kalighat), where the site became honoured by a much revered temple. Once the main channel of the Ganges (Ganga) River, about 96 miles (154 km) upstream from the head of the Bay of Bengal; there the port city developed as a point of transshipment from water to land and from river to sea. The city’s former name, Calcutta, is an Anglicized version of the Bengali name Kalikata. According to some, Kalikata is derived from the Bengali word Kalikshetra, meaning “Ground of (the Goddess) Kali.” Some say the city’s name derives from the location of its original settlement on the bank of a canal (khal).

Places to VisitAdd

Kolkata Sightseeing

How to ReachEdit

By Air : Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, located at Dumdum, is 17 km away from the heart of Kolkata. This airport is well connected to all major cities in India including north east capitals. Kolkata is a major international airport which is connected to many cities in abroad. Airport to the city center costs about Rs 400 by Tourist taxi car. AIRPORTS & OFFICES No. 91-33-5119977.

By Train : Howrah and Sealdah are two major railway stations in Kolkata. These stations are well connected to all major cities in India. Metro rail system in Kolkata connects all the main junctions in Kolkata. It is the fastest way to reach the different parts of the big city. Railway Enquiry Phone: 139/1331/1332.

By BUS : West Bengal state buses connect all parts of the state with Kolkata. The bus charges are less than Rs 2 per km. Deluxe and A/C luxury buses are available from Kolkata to various cities in the state and neighboring states.

By Taxi : Taxis un-metered taxis. as the undergraound railway system is called here.

By Other : Auto rickshaws, cycal rickshqws private and state-run buses, local trains and the pride of kolkatans the metro – as the underground railway system is called hear – will take you to any nook and corner of kolkata.

Top HotelsAdd

Budget  – Up to Rs. 800

• The Samilton ; 37,Sarat Bose Road, Kolkata – 700020 ; Ph – 24546924 ; Facilities – Internet, DVD player on request, tea/coffee maker, Complimentary breakfast, late check out, travel desk.

Economy – Up to Rs. 801 to Rs. 1200

• HOTEL DIPLOMAT ; 10,Sudder street,Behind Indian Museum, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016, ; Ph – 033 2252 8434 ; Facilities – H/C running water, telephone,TV, refrigerator, internet, doctor-on-call, travel desk.

Deluxe – Up to Rs. 1201 to Rs. 2500

• Hotel Himalay ; 134/1, Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Raja Katra, Kolkata, WB 700007 ‎ ; Ph – 033 2268 1961 ; Facilities – Spacious and well furnished rooms, attached bath with 24 hours H/C running water, refrigerator, TV, telephone, Doctor-on-call, travel desk.

Luxury – Rs. 2501 and above

• Hyatt Regency
• Kolkata Hotel ; JA-1, Sector III, Salt Lake City, Kolkata, WB 700098 ; Ph – 033 2335 1234 ; Facilities – Internet, telephone with voice mail, tea/coffee maker, DVD player on request , electronic safes, TV, doctore-on call, all major credit cards accepted, parking facillity.

Top RestaurantsAdd

• Ballygunge Place ;  House No. 6, Ballygunge Place Rd, Ballygunge, Kolkata. ; M –  033 2460 3922 ; Food Serve :  Bengali.

• Arsalan Restaurant ;  119-A, Muzaffar Ahmed St, Taltala Kolkata. ; M –  033 2227 7493 ; Food Serve :  N.A

Must Eat FoodAdd

• Bengali Rasagolla –  Girish Ch Dey & Nakur Ch Nandy ; 56 Ramdulal Sarkar Street, Kolkata. ; Ph/M –  2241-0048 ; Cost –  N.A ; Famous for – N.A.
• Sandesh –  Balaram Mullick and Radharaman Mull ; 2, Near Jaggu Bazar, Paddapukur Road, Lala Lajpat Rai Sarani, Kolkata – 700020 ; Ph/M –  (033) 66037624 ; Cost –  N.A ; Famous for – N.A.

Must Do ActivitiesAdd

Must ShopAdd

• Bengali Sarees ; Ethnic ideas ;  13 Chowringhee Terrace, 1st Floor.; Ph/M:  22239422
• Bankura Horses and Elephants ; New Market ;  Lindsay Street, just off Chowringhee Road Kolkata. ; Ph/M:  N.A

Nightlife (Pub / Disc / BAR)Add

• Tantra ; Park Hotel ; Ph/M: N.A ; Cost:  Rs500-1000, small beers Rs225 ; Food Serve : N.A
• Blue & Beyond Restaurant ; Lindsay St 9th fl, Lindsay Hotel ; Ph/M: 033 22521039 ; Cost:  beers Rs110, mains Rs95-175 ; Food Serve : N.A
• Urban Desi, Camac Street ; 6, Fort Knox, 9th Floor, Camac Street, Kolkata ; Ph/M: 332529301 ; Cost:  Rs. 1200 – 1500 ; Food Serve : N.A

SpaAdd

• Sawasdee Namaste Spa ;  DC 27/26 Sec 01, Dev Kutir, Near City Centre Exit, Salt Lake City-Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata – 700064 ; Ph/M – 033 4062 1002 ; Cost:  N.A ; Services –  Beauty Spa, Beauty Spas For Men, Beauty Spas For Women
• Aikya Spa ;  AE 319 Sector 1 Salt lake city, Kolkata, WB 700064 ; Ph/M – 033 4004 2725 ; Cost:  N.A ; Services –  Beauty Spa, Body Massage Centres, Beauty Spas For Men

FestivalAdd

Durga Puja ; Venue:  Kolkata ; Period :  October ; Details:  Durga Puja takes place during the month of October and is a celebration of the divine “Sacred Feminine”. One of the most important festivals amongst the Bengalis, the festival commemorates the triumph of the Goddess Durga over the mythical demon named Mahishashura. You can hear the sounds of the Dhak, smell the incenses sticks burning and even take part in the famous Dhunuchi dance, typical of West Bengal. Most of the eminent pandals in the city where the puja is held is financed and organized the business barons and landlords.

Safety / WarningEdit

• Double-check all hotel and restaurant bills for errors.
• Don’t leave cash and valuables in your hotel room. Use room safes where available.
• Keep daily cash in separate pockets.

HelplineEdit

• Fire Brigade Hq – 2244-0101/8106/0163/6170.
• Police Control Room – 033-22145486, 22144031, 22145087.

ItineraryEdit

Day 1 :
9:00 am – Howrah Bridge ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
11:00 am – Calcutta High Court;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
1:00 pm – Eden Gardens;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
3:00 pm – Chowringhee ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
5:00 pm – Acharya Bhavan ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
6:00 pm – Victoria Memorial ;Approx. time spent : 1 hrs
Day 2 :
9:00 am – Sundarbans ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
11:00 am – Kolkata Zoo ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
1:00 pm – Royal Calcutta Golf Club ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
3:00 pm – Tagore House ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
5:00 pm – Nandan ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
Day 3 :
9:00 am – Marble Palace Mansion ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
11:00 am – Rabindra Sarobar ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
1:00 pm – Energy Education Park ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
3:00 pm – National Library ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
5:00 pm – Academy of Fine Arts;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs

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