There are a plethora of tourist attractions in Kolkata, making each trip a memorable one. Visitors to the city will find plenty to keep them entertained. There are countless places to visit in Kolkata, from beautiful gardens, serene lakes, historic buildings, museums, libraries, and sports stadiums to ancient temples and churches.
Shopping avenues, amusement parks, and mouthwatering restaurants all add to the fun of sightseeing. A trip to Kolkata is guaranteed to enthral any traveller, with all of the above and more.
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Victoria Memorial
When visiting Kolkata, don’t forget to check out the iconic Victoria Memorial. The memorial, which was erected in honour of Queen Victoria, was dedicated to the public in 1921. When William Emerson designed it, he was President of the British Institute of Architects, a position he held for many years.
Indisputable top-tier museum with extensive collection of royal British family paintings, lithographs, documents, and other artefacts. It has a 184-foot-tall structure and occupies 64 acres of land, making it a visually stunning building.
The expansive grounds of the Victoria Memorial include a museum building surrounded by lush lawns and gardens, as well as two massive pools. It was designed by Lord Redesdale and David Prain.
As one approaches the museum’s gates, they are guarded by two marble lions, and immediately in front of them sits a massive bronze statue of Queen Victoria. Shipped to India, this statue was crafted in England.
The most interesting fact about the Victoria Memorial is that it took 15 years to build and cost INR 10, 500, 000, with a large portion of the funds coming from Indian princely states. The memorial was dedicated in 1887.
The Howrah Bridge
Howrah Bridge, also known as the Rabindra Setu, is the world’s busiest bridge and a fine example of 20th century engineering. When in Kolkata, be sure to check out Howrah Bridge, which spans the Hooghly. Between Kolkata and Howrah, this bridge, which is about 705 metres long, spans the river. When it was constructed in 1874 on two 270-foot-tall pillars, it didn’t use any nuts or bolts. Vivekananda Setu and Vidyasagar Setu span the Hooghly River at different points.
A symbol of Bengal’s history and culture, the bridge has seen many significant events, including World Wars I and II. At the time of its construction, the bridge was referred to as an architectural marvel because of its classification as a ‘Suspension Type Balanced Cantilever’ type structure.
With an average daily traffic count of over 200, 000 vehicles and 150, 000 pedestrians, it has been dubbed the world’s busiest cantilever bridge.
Dakshineswar Kali Temple
Dakshineswar Kali Temple, which honours the goddess Kali in the form of Devi Bhavatarini, is a popular pilgrimage destination. Rani Rashmoni, the Queen of Janbazar, built this temple on the banks of the Hooghly River in 1847. With a 25-acre footprint, this temple is a popular destination for Hindu devotees seeking divine blessings and relief from their woes.
The history of the temple has both religious and political significance. For those interested in learning more about its history and style, it was designed in the traditional Bengal School of architecture “nav-ratna”.
After the death of his elder brother, Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa took over as the temple’s head priest. A devotee of the goddess Kali, he made a number of changes to Bengal’s social and religious landscape.
The founder of the temple, Rani Rashmoni, was equally important in promoting the temple’s reputation. She opened the temple doors to everyone, regardless of class, caste, creed, or religion, thus breaking down the social barriers of class, caste, and religion.
All 12 smaller Shiva temples in the courtyard of the main temple are identical, except for their black stone shivalingas.
Indian Museum
The Indian Museum in Kolkata, which opened in 1814, is considered to be the country’s oldest museum. In 1878, it was made available to the public. This museum is the largest in the country, with six main sections and more than 60 galleries. It also has the distinction of being the world’s ninth-oldest museum.
This museum houses a large collection of Mughal paintings, fossils, armour, mummies, skeletons, ornaments, and antiques. This museum isn’t just a repository of art, it’s also a beautiful place to visit. Italian architect Walter B Grawille was responsible for the project’s design.
Temple of Kalighat
The Kalighat Temple in Kolkata is one of the most sacred of the 51 Shakti Peeths. The city got its name from a ghat along the old Hooghly River course. Lord Shiva’s Rudra Tandava is said to have caused Goddess Sati’s right foot toes to fall off her burnt body at Kalighat.
The Kalighat temple is mentioned in literature from the 15th and 17th centuries as well. An early 16th century hut is said to have served as the site’s first temple. However, the temple’s current structure is said to have been built just over 200 years ago.
Nearby Adi Ganga is a small canal that eventually flows into the Hooghly River. The Hooghly River’s original course or path is thought to be the canal’s route, so it is known as the Adi Ganga. In addition to the archer coins, which were popular during the Gupta era, the temple has remained at the same location since that time.
Two smaller temples, one dedicated to Shiva and the other to Radha-Krishna, can be found on the premises of the main temple, which is called the Nakuleshwar Mahadev Temple. Temple premises have a few raised areas where certain activities can be carried out and rituals can be observed from the courtyard.
Kalika is the name of the presiding deity of Kalighat, and Kolkata is named after her.
Alipore zoo
The Alipore Zoological Garden, also known as the “Calcutta Zoo” or “Alipore Zoo,” was India’s first official zoo when it opened in 1876. More than 40 species of native mammals, reptiles, and birds have called the zoo home over the years.
In 1800, Richard Wellesley, the then Governor General of India, established Indian Natural History, a private menagerie. Eventually, it became the country’s first formal zoo.
After three failed attempts in 1842, 1867, and 1873, the zoological garden was finally established in 1875 with great success. In the beginning, the zoological garden’s specimens came from the private collections of the country’s most affluent people.
Around 1266 animals from 108 different species live in the zoological garden, including primates, herbivores, and carnivores. Birds of prey include exotic pheasants, macaws, storks, and the Spoonbill, an endangered species.
Custom-built for each of the Alipore Zoological Garden’s reptiles, the Reptile House has a unique location in the Alipore Zoological Garden. Every year, a large number of migratory birds flock to the zoo’s centrally located water bodies.
Race course
The Kolkata Race Course is one of India’s oldest racetracks and the site of the country’s first ever horse race. It’s a must-see on your Kolkata tour because of its stunning scenery. While many of the horse races take place on holidays and weekends, the best time to visit is from September to March, when there are fewer crowds.
The Royal Calcutta Turf Club maintains the racetrack. Founded in 1820 by the East India elites as a place for social gatherings, sports, and other amusements, the race course reflects the colonial era perfectly.
The adjacent polo ground, which is said to be the best in India, is located next to the race course. When horse races aren’t being held, the city’s elite turn to polo matches hosted by the Royal Calcutta Turf Club instead.
Eco Tourism Park
The Eco Tourism Park in Kolkata, which covers 470 acres, is a popular tourist destination because of the variety of activities it provides. In addition to lakes, museums, a botanical garden, an amphitheatre, grassland, restaurants and a mist house, Prakriti Tirtha is an ideal location for a break from the daily grind.
There are 103 acres of water surrounding the park area, making it appear to be an island. The park has three sections: Ecological Zone, Theme Garden, and Open Spaces, where visitors can participate in activities such as zorbing, kayaking, cycling, rowing, paddle boating, and speed boat rides.
Conference rooms and cottages can be rented to host both personal and professional events. The park’s location makes it an ideal spot for a weekend getaway to unwind after a long week at work.
Eden Garden
Eden Garden, the oldest cricket ground in India, has been hailed as one of the most iconic cricket stadiums in the world because of its storied history. It’s the site of a number of significant moments in the sport’s history.
It has undergone numerous upgrades since its construction, with a capacity of 68,000 seats. In 1917-18, this stadium hosted its first ever first-class match. Eden Gardens hosted its first test match in 1934 and its first one-day international in 1987. In Kolkata, it’s a must-see location to see this.
Apart from being India’s largest cricket stadium, it’s also the world’s second-largest after Australia’s Melbourne Cricket Ground. Eden Garden is home to the loudest and liveliest crowd.
The National Library
The National Library in Kolkata, India’s largest library, is a must-see destination for library lovers. The National Library of India is a destination that appeals to a wide range of people due to its focus on preserving, collecting, and disseminating works of literature created in India.
It is situated on the Belvedere Estate in Alipore, spread over 30 acres of land. The Department of Culture in India’s Ministry of Tourism & Culture now oversees this library. A wide range of languages are represented in its extensive collection, from Telugu to Sindhi and Punjab to Hindi and Urdu. In addition, the library has a section for children.
Belur Math
Ramakrishna Math and Mission’s Belur Math temple is a must-see for anyone seeking enlightenment, as it adheres to a nonsectarian spiritual approach. It has a 40-acre footprint and is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and palm trees. People from all over the world visit the temple, which is a symbol of one universal religion. Swami Vivekananda, the chief disciple of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, conceptualised and founded the Math in the early twentieth century. Such an institution was founded on the belief that “selfless service to God in man” was the ideal.
Belur Math has become a must-see destination in Kolkata because of its impressive architecture, peaceful atmosphere, and historical significance.
The Belur Math temple was designed by Swami Vijnanananda, who used chunar stone and concrete in an area of 32,900 square feet and a height of 113 feet. There are many different religious influences on the design because it is based on a single universal faith. So, depending on your vantage point, the monument can appear to be a temple, a cathedral, or a mosque.
The Ramakrishna Mission has dubbed the monument a “Symphony of Architecture” because of the many facets of its design. Ramakrishnan’s direct disciple was the architect.
Additionally, there is a museum dedicated to Ramakrishna, as well as temples dedicated to his wife, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, and all of Sri Ramakrishna’s direct disciples. Samadhi enclosure houses a marble plaque with the names of seven direct disciples of Shri Ramakrishna who were cremated there. ‘
It’s a good way to get a sense of the Mission’s philosophy and values by volunteering with them.
Birla Mandir
Another notable attraction in Kolkata is the Birla Mandir. At 160 feet above the ground, its stunning architecture, complete with intricate carving and sculpting, is a sight to behold. It covers an area of 130 acres and is made of white marble. The project began in 1970 and was completed in 1996. With a name that translates to “Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha,” the Birla Temple honours these two deities with its dedication to them.
The temple also contains statues of other Hindu deities, such as Shiva in meditation, Goddess Durga, and Goddess Shakti, in addition to the principal deities.
When it comes to architecture, the Birla Family of West Bengal built the temple, which looks like the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and attracts a large number of devotees from around the world during Janmashtami festivities.
The temple’s dome, pillars, and walls are all adorned with fine and intricate artworks, making it one of the country’s finest architectural works. It’s no wonder why this temple is so highly regarded. The Bhagavad Gita’s teachings and verses are depicted in pictorial form on the marble walls. Architect Nomi Bose was responsible for the overall design of the building.
Raj Bhavan
The Kolkata Raj Bhavan, which sits on 27 acres of land and dates back to 1803, serves as the official residence of the West Bengal Governor. The Raj Bhavan, which is surrounded by acres of manicured gardens, is only open to the public if a government photo ID card is presented.
Marquess Wellesley, Governor-General of India at the time, decided to build a palatial house for himself as a symbol of his status in 1799, and the Raj Bhavan is the result. A neoclassical structure with baroque overtones was designed by Captain Charles Wyatt and built by him. To get a sense of colonial opulence, visit the impressive halls and curved corridors, balconies, throne room, banquet halls, and residential suites.
Park Street
If you’re ever in Kolkata, you can’t miss Park Street, which has earned the nickname “the street that never sleeps” as the epicentre of the city’s evening entertainment and happening nightlife. As a result of its wide range of options, the Park Street area is a popular destination for both young people and the well-heeled alike.
Park Street is known as the ‘Food Street,’ in part because it is home to many of the city’s most notable historic landmarks. The South Park Street Cemetery, one of India’s most haunted locations, is located in this area. Park Street is also a great place to shop for everyone from the street to the rich and famous.