Travel to Kolkata
| *Map showing the important tourist places in Kolkata. |
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Kolkata Tourism
On traveling to Kolkata, one would encounter a city with a curious mixture of colonial past, contemporary cultural vibrancy and political expression. According to legend, when Siva's wife's corpse was cut up, one of her fingers fell at the site of what is now the Kali Temple at Kalighat. It is the name of this temple that the Britishers gave the place and Calcutta is nothing but the anglicized form of Kalikata.
West Bengal is one of the first destinations in a tourist's itinerary visiting the eastern part of the country. One will find many tourist attractions in Kolkata with a medley of occidental and oriental architecture and style.The Victoria Memorial, built in memory of Queen Victoria of England is one of India's most beautiful monuments, representing a unique combination of classical European architecture and Mughal motifs. Howrah Bridge is another landmark that denotes the city of Kolkata.This hanging bridge is an engineering marvel. It is the third largest bridge in the world and has around 2 million people crossing over it daily. Shantiniketan, Tagore's university township is a must see place for anyone visiting Kolkata.Besides the other festivals of the Hindu solar calendar, Durga Puja is the one that gains ultimate importance and attention in West Bengal and is a joyous time to visit this city. Excursions from Kolkata can take one to the Sunder bans is the largest estuarine delta in the world and the biggest colony of the Royal Bengal Tigers.
How to Reach Kolkata
Kolkata (formerly called Calcutta) is the capital of West Bengal. As of 2011, the city is the third most populated metropolitan area in India. The city is Kolkata is easy to reach by air, rail or road. The city is a charming city with a 300-year-old heritage and vibrant cultural background.
By Air
The airport in Kolkata was originally known as Dum Dum Airport before being renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. It is located around 17 km from the city centre.
Flights to Kolkata
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 also provides international flights to most of the countries in Southeast Asia. Find Flights to Kolkata
By Train
Kolkata is well linked with the rest of India by the widespread network of Indian railways. The city has two major railway stations-one at Howrah and the other one at Sealdah.
Trains to Kolkata
Trains from other parts of the country are easily available for Kolkata. Super-fast trains such as Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express connect the city to major cities and states in India. The Kolkata Circular Rail encircles the entire city and currently its route is being extended. Find Trains to Klokata
By Road
Kolkata is connected with most of the Indian cities by road. The National Highway number 2 and 6 connect the city with other cities and states in India. Kolkata has a broad network of government and private buses.
The Calcutta State Transport Corporation (CSTC), Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC) and West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation (WBSTC) run regulars bus service in the city. The Esplanade Terminus in the heart of the city is the main bus terminus.
Distance to Kolkata
- From Jamshedpur - 291 km
- From Ranchi - 369 km
- From Cuttack - 430 km
- From Bhubaneswar - 452 km
- From Gaya - 477 km
- From Patna - 581 km
Places to Visit in Kolkata
- Kalighat Temple
- Thanthania Kalibari
- Belur Math
- Dakshineshwar Temple
- Pareshnath Jain Temple
- Nakhoda Mosque
- St. Paul's Cathedral
- Armenian Church
- Howrah Bridge
- Rabindra Sadan
- Victoria Memorial
- Vidyasagar Setu
- Kolkata Race Course
- National Library
- Shahid Minar in Kolkata
- Kolkata Marble Palace
- MP Birla Planetarium in Kolkata
- Birla Industrial Museum
- Rabindra Bharti Museum
- Birla Art Museum
- Asutosh Museum
- Gurusaday Museum
- Botanical Garden
- Zoological Garden
- Agri Horticultural Garden
- Aquatica
- Nicco Park
- Swabhumi
- Science City
- Millennium Park
- Nalban Boating Complex
- Clown Town
Shopping in Kolkata
Kolkata can be described as a 'shopping paradise' for those who want the value for their money. There are many markets spread all over the city. From 'cucumbers' to 'cargos' and from 'shoe-strings to 'sarees' everything is available under one roof at this century-old market.
New Market, located on Lindsay Street, is one of Kolkata's oldest and most renowned Markets. During the annual 'Durga Puja', the area in and around New Market wears a festive look as people from different parts of the state and even neighboring states come to shop here. Park Street, the fashion street of the city and the arterial roads, JL Nehru Road, Shakespeare Sarani, Camac Street and Russel Street area are other happening spots of the city. Spacious shopping malls, food joints, music stores, bookstores and a host of multi-cuisine restaurants are situated here. Charnock City in Kolkata's satellite Township of Salt Lake is an air-conditioned shopping complex spread over three floors. Chowringhee Rd is an amazing variety of pavement vendors who sell everything from water pistols to dancing dolls. Dakshinapan Shopping Complex is one place that is a favorite with college students looking for clothes to fit their budgets.