PLACES  OF   INTEREST

Writers’ Buildings

   A magnificent example of Victorian Architecture continues to be the seat of Government for more than 200 years.

         48.16 metre tall monument built in honour of Sir David Ochterloney was named Shahid Minar on 9th August, 1969.

  Imposing GPO Building with large white dome and Corinthian columns was originally the site of Fort William till 1757.

       The largest library in India with collection of more than one million books. The impressive building, built in Italian style, was originally the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal.

Raj Bhaban

Created by Lord Wellesly as a close copy of Kedleston Hall in Derbishire, England, the grand building is the best example of Georgian architecture in the country.

Zoological Gardens

       The oldest zoo in India, opened on January 1, 1876, is an attraction of the city for finest collections of birds, animals and reptiles.

The museum, largest in Asia and oldest in India, has the premier collections on the sub-continent in its six sections : Art, Archeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology and Industry. It began in 1814 and shifted to its present premises of an impressive building in the Italian style of Architecture in 1878.

  Eight lane cantilevered bridge with imposing steel structure is an engineering marvel and a landmark of the city. The bridge was opened in 1943 and today it is one of the world’s busiest bridges.

Eden Gardens

An attractive spot in the city. A superb wooden Pagoda may be seen here. International cricket stadium and Netaji Indoor Stadium are within the garden campus.

    Pencil-slim elegant Second Hooghly Bridge, an engineering marvel, joins the twin city of Calcutta and Howrah. Pylons of this longest cable-stayed bridge in the country is the highest structure in the city.

Victoria Memorial Hall and Museum

  A symmetrical construction of white marble, the Victoria memorial on Calcutta Maidan is an impressive site and one of India’s most beautiful monuments. There is an Art Gallery and Museum inside.

Botanical Gardens

    Founded in 1787 Indian Botanical Gardens are famous for the world’s largest banyan tree. Spread over an area of more than 100 hectares the gardens can boast of rare trees, magnificent avenue of Royal Cuban palms and large species of plants.

Birla Planetarium

  Regular astronomical shows are presented in the planetarium, which is second of its kind in the commonwealth and similar to that in London.

Marbel Palace

Built in 1835 Marble Palace is a classic example of wealthy Bengali’s home during 18th and 19th centuries. One can see on display within the mansion amazing collection of great woks of art.

  Set in a lovely garden, built in the style of a Burmese pagoda with an impressive interior, Jain Temple is a place of attraction in the city. Inside the temple a smokeless lamp has been burning continuously since the temple was opened in 1867.

Science City

  A landmark for science communication and environment. A place of imagination, fantasy and excitement for one and all. One can enjoy science and environment and see a few firsts in India.

Dakshineswar Kali Temple

     The temple built in 1847 by Rani Rashmani is famous for its association with the great 19th century Hindu saint Ramakrishna.

NICCO Park

  Toy Train, Paddle Boats, Kon-Tiki raft, Crazy cycle, Lazy river ride, Moon-raker, Striking cars, Tilt-a-whirl, Derby ride, Shooting Gallery, Cable car are among many of the games in Nicco Park situated in Salt Lake.

Belur Math

Belur Math is the international headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission founded in 1899 by Swami Vivekananda. The shrine was architecturally designed to represent a Hindu Temple, a Christian Church and a mosque when viewed from different angles.

Nandan

  A cultural complex with multiple film theatres and Satyajit Ray Film Archive.

Nehru Children’s Museum

Collections of puppets depicting Ramayana and Mahabharata, toys and dolls, as well as elementary science gallery in the museum are of attraction for children.

The museum is a collection of personal effects, photographs, letters and other documents of Netaji, as well as a good collection of documents on India’s struggle for freedom.

   Re-built in 1809 over the site of an older temple the Kali Temple is an ancient centre of Hindu pilgrimage.

Rabindra Bharati Museum

The 18th century family mansion of the Tagore family at Jorasanko now houses the Museum devoted to the poet’s life and to the Young Bengali Movement. The museum has a collection of almost 2000 paintings by Tagore.

Horticulture Garden

Agri-Horticultural Society’s Garden was founded in 1820 by William Carrey. The Garden can boast of its significant collection of botanical varieties.

Town Hall

  Built in 1813 handsome Town Hall building is the largest hall in Calcutta. Ground floor of the building has recently been converted into an informative and interesting museum.

An educational museum with incredible variety of exhibits on basic science and technology.

Missionaries of Charity

  Headquarters of the charitable organization formed by Noble Laureate Mother Teresa for cause of the destitude

Nakhoda Mosque

The massive red sandstone mosque built in 1926 in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture on the model of Akbar’s tomb at Sikandara can accommodate 10,000 Muslim worshippers.

Metro Rail

The first underground railway in the country, runs over a distance of 16 km. along the heart of the city. Well maintained metro rail can match the best in the world.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

Built in 1874 St. Paul’s is the first Cathedral Church in India. The imposing structure has finely decorated interior with many rare paintings.

Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Sports Stadium)

Inaugurated in 1984, this is the largest world-class sports stadium in Asia with a capacity for 1,20,000 spectators.