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We do sight seeing of Kolkata &
surroudings |
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Kolkata : The Human City |
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The Ganges (called the Hooghly in Kolkata) is still the
inspiration, as it was to Job Charnock, East India Company
agent, who reached the shores in August 1690, to found the
city. Kolkata, after London, was the British Empire’s
second city.Kolkata, on-the-Hooghly, retains the aura of
days long gone, weaving the past and the present, the intense
and the funloving into a charming fabric.
Home of four Nobel laureates – Ronald Ross, Rabindranath
Tagore, Mother Teresa and Amartya Sen, Kolkata is the never
center of intellect and human value, where many modern movements
began in art, cinema and theatre, science and industry.
India’s quest for freedom began here.
Kolkata is the vibrant modern metropolis and is the gateway
to Eastern and North Eastern States of India from the Eastern
and South Eastern Asia. The city is directly linked by international
airlines from both the East and West, apart from Air India
and the country’s domestic airlines. The city is connected
with all parts of the country by an extensive network of
major rail routes. The Kolkata Port is one of the major
Ports of the country.
A city with a rich heritage, bustling streets and bewildering
variety of facets. From October to March, Kolkata wears
a radiant look. Sunshine, mild winter, lights, colours,
fairs, festivals, galas and excursions, the mood is infectious
and the sprit sweeping. |
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The Greatest attractions
of Kolkata are her numerous heritages, the most attractive
begein |
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| Howrah Bridge & Kalighat Temple: |
Rabindra Setu, popularly called Howrah Bridge
a huge cantilever bridge strung on two 196 ft. high
pillars connecting Kolkata with Howrah and still framing
the skyline of the river.
According to the legend, when Lord Shiva’s wife
Parvati’s body was cut up , one of the fingers
fell in Kalighat. Rebuilt in 1989
is an important shrine of Hindu Shakti worship. The
temple is in the southern part of the city. |
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| Victoria Memorial: |
Along St. George’s Gate Road, on the southern fringe
of the Maidan, a splendid monument in white Makrana marble
arrests your site. Built in Italian Renaissance cum Saracenic
style, Victoria Memorial was planned by
Lord Curzon and opened by the prince of Wales in 1921. A
light and sound show recreates history every evening. |
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| Maidan & Fort William: |
A walk along Chowringhee Road sets the pace as you set out
to unravel the rare beauty of this city. Across the road
sweeps a huge, lush green, open parkland called the Maidan,
centering around Fort William, the massive
and impregnable British Citadel built in 1773. The fort
is still in use and retains its well guarded grandeur. Visitors
are allowed in with special permission only. |
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| Race Course & Raj Bhavan: |
The adjoining Race Course, built
in 1819, is one of the best in the east and is the
scene of much gaiety, especially during the winter
season.
At the northern end of the Maidan, towards the river,
is the old British Government House, now called Raj
Bhavan, built in 1803, to be used as the
residence of Governor General of India, presently
used as official residence of the Governor of West
Bengal, remarkable and collection of rare works of
art. |
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| Indian Museum & Kolkata High Court: |
Located on Chowringhee Road is the Indian
Museum built in 1877 in Italian style of
architecture. Walk in to a varied collection of exhibits
that include unique fossils, Buddhists Gandharan art,
an Egyptian mummy and a room full of meteorites.
Kolkata High Court, built in 1872
in the Gothis style of architecture, a witness to
legendary legal battles. |
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| Ochterlony Monument & General Post
Office: |
Built by the British Government in 1828 is an old
witness to great events in hiatory and politics. The
48 mt tower of Ochterlony Monument, now renamed Shahid
Minar, holds command at the northern end
of the Maidan.
A majestic specimen of Edwaradian architecture General
Post Office (GPO) was built in 1874, now
controlling the entire postal system of Kolkata. |
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| Birla Planetarium & National Library: |
Northwards, along Chowringhee Road, stands the Birla
Planetarium, one of the largest in the world.
The central dome measures 25 mts. In diameter.
A little away, in the south of Kolkata, is a stately
mansion. Once home of the british Viceroys, Belvedere
House is now the National Library.
It houses over a million books and is the biggest
in India. It have rerest collection of books and libraries. |
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| Kumortuli & Missionaries of Charity: |
Kumartuli, the clay model-makers
heaven, is older than Kolkata. The term "Kumar" meaning
a potter and "tuli" meaning locality.
The Missionaries of Charity is a
new order formed in 1950 by mother Teresa. Visit Mother
Teresa’s tomb at the mother house and witness
the generosity of her spirit at Nirmal Hriday (Home
for the dying), Shanti Nagar (for lepers) and Nirmala
Shishu Bhavan (The Childrens Home). |
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| Tagore’s House & Marble Palace: |
The dulcet whispers of history eco through the old
mansions of Hindu Aristrocrats in north Kolkata. One
such old house, Tagore House, at
Jorasanko, is the birth place of Rabindranath Tagore,
India’s greatest modern poet. Now converted
to Rabindra Bharti University, a center for Indian
classical fine arts.
At Chorbagan is the Marble Place
built in 1840 by Raja Rajendra Mullick. Famous for
its marble walls, pillars, mirrors and beautiful architecture,
now a museum. |
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| Dakshineswar & Belur Math: |
Built in 1847, on the banks of the Hooghly, north
of Kolkata, Dakshineswar Kali Temple
is associated with Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa dave,
the electric 19th century saint, who revived Hinduism
during the British Raj. Who had been an exponent of
integration among different religions.
Across the river stands Belur Math,
Head Quarters of Ramakrishna Mission. The Monastery
is a heaven of peace and religious harmony. |
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| Nakhoda Mosque & Flower Market: |
Nakhoda Mosque Modelled on Akbar’s
tomb in secundra, the red sand stone mosque has two
minarets 46 mts high, a brightly painted onion shaped
dome and can accommodate ten thousand people. Built
in 1926 and located on Chitpur Road.
At Jagannath Ghat, approach to Howrah
Bridge Asia's biggest flower market is situated. Tthis
market remains open for 24Hrs a day and flower auction
also take place. Different varieties of flowers are
available here. |
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| St Paul's Cathedral & Pareshnath
Jain Temple: |
St Paul's Cathedral, constructed
between 1839 and 1847in Gothic style and stained glass
windows and two Florentine frescoes, the cathedral
is the largest in the city and next to the Birla Planetarium.
St Paul’s was consecrated in 1874.
Pareshnath Jian Temple, the temple
is an ornate mass of mirrors, coloured stones, glass
mosaic and overlooks a baeutiful garden. It is in
North Kolkata. |
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