About the Kolkata in West Bengal :

Kolkata is reminiscent of its past glory during the British rule and stands out as one of the most quintessential cities that has a perfect blend of the modernity and old heritage going hand in hand. The tourist attractions in Kolkata remind us the yesteryears when the British used to rule the nation and Victoria Memorial is the apt instance of it. This is one of the most magnificent tourist attractions in Kolkata that is still having its old charm and grandeur. Howrah Bridge is another instance that is a perfect instance of extreme engineering that awe-inspires the visitors from the different parts of the world to pay a visit to this lovely city.

Some Tourist Attractions In Kolkata :

Victoria Memorial :

Victoria Memorialis a huge white-marble structure and the most enduring remnant of the British Raj in India. The structure, which is now floodlit in the night, It has been now converted into a museum that houses the most impressive collection of memorabilia's from the days of the British Raj.

Indian Museum, built in 1874, has a beautiful structure. The oldest museum in India, it has one of the rare collections of archeological artifacts. The entrance to the museum houses an original Lion Capitol, the national symbol of India. The museum is opened all days of the week except Monday. The normal timing is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fort William was constructed in 1781 after the unfortunate happenings of 1756 in which many British soldiers with their families were killed by Siraj-Ud-Daula. A large area around the village of Govindpur was cleared of the forests and this fort was constructed, which for some time also lent its name to the city. The fort is still in use and visitors are allowed inside only after getting special permits. The area around the fort is a very large patch of green known as the Maidan (ground). The Maidan is also known as the lung of Kolkata and stretches 1 km in width and 3 km in length.

Eden Garden, located in the northwest corner of the city, is a small and pleasantly laid-out garden. The place also houses the renowned cricket ground by the same name.

Birla Planetarium is one of the largest of its kind in the world, and an educational and entertaining experience. Shows in Hindi and English are held here.

Kali Mandir :

Kali Mandiris the temple dedicated to Kali, goddess of destruction. This is the temple from which the old village Kalikata took its name, which, in turn, also gave the city its name. Howrah Bridge is an excellent example of the engineering techniques of the early 20th century. The whole bridge is 450 m long without any pylons in the Hoogly River. The bridge also has the distinction of being the busiest bridge in the world catering to around 100,000 vehicles and innumerable pedestrians. When Kolkata was the capital of British India, BBD Bagh was the center of power. This is the place that houses the now famous Writer's Building (clerks were known as writers in the British India) and the old Fort William.

Belur Math, the headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission, is situated in the north of the city. The place was founded in 1899 and houses a structure that was designed to be a church, temple, and mosque all in one.

To know and understand Calcutta in its eternity, one is invited to the city during Durga Puja-a time when Calcutta becomes unforgettable. Every year, for four days, Calcutta forgets its worries and yields to a paroxysm of celebration and worship. This special time of the year comes just before the full moon in late September or October. This is a special occasion because of the transcendent place Goddess Durga holds in the Bengali imagination.

How to Reach Kolkata :

by Air: Most of the domestic airlines have direct services to and from Kolkata to other important cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Patna, Varanasi, Lucknow, etc. Kolkata provides direct flights to most of the countries in the Southeast Asia. The airport in Kolkata is situated at Dumdum, around 17 km northeast of the city center.

by Rail: Trains from the other parts of the country connect Kolkata. Super-fast trains such as Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express connect the city to Delhi and nearby cities such as Bokaro and Rourkela. Coromandel Express and Gitanjali Express connect Kolkata to Chennai and Mumbai respectively. The city has two major railway stations-one at Howrah and the other at Sealdah.

by Road: Kolkata is connected with most of the Indian cities by road. The Esplanade Terminus in the heart of the city is the main bus terminus. A new development is the starting of the Dhaka-Kolkata bus service. The buses are colorful, air-conditioned, and comfortable.

by Ship: Mechanized boats and ships are available on a regular basis for a tour of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. One should contact the offices of the Shipping Corporation of India on 13, Strand Road for more information on schedules. Luxury cruises are also operational between Kolkata and Haldia, a modern port city nearby.