Kolkata, 330 years old metropolis located on the banks of Hooghly river is capital of state of West Bengal in Eastern India was once the capital of British India as well. Boarded with Bangladesh, The city is widely regarded as the “cultural capital” of India, and is also nicknamed the “City of Joy”. Kolkata is soaked in layers and layers of heritage and culture. It is a city of artists, intellectuals, poets , writers, Noble prize winners and Mother Teresa. This 330 years old city has numerous Colonial era architectural buildings and churches, museums, religious temples and math ( Religious complex ). Todays Kolkata is vivid, chaotic, and yet full of life and creativity. It is a city with a famous quote : “If you want a city with a soul, come to Calcutta ( Kolkata )”.

Photos : Victoria Memorial , Belur Math , Fort William , Ghats of Hooghly River , Tagore’s House , Marble Palace

Victoria Memorial is the biggest attraction in Kolkata. Victoria memorial is a must visit museum in vast and beautifully proportioned Colonial era building of white marble. Commissioned by Lord Curzon, erstwhile Viceroy of India, it was designed to commemorate Queen Victoria’s demise in 1901, but was completed 20 years after her death. The design is in the Indo-Saracenic style which uses a mixture of British and Mughal elements with Venetian and Egyptian architectural influences. The galleries of the museum displays a number of portraits of Victoria and Prince Albert, and paintings illustrating their lives. The museum is a perfect place to understand and learn about the medieval history of India.

Belur Math in Kolkata ,a religious center on the banks of river Hooghly , is the headquarter of Ramakrishna Mission, inspired by 19th-century Indian sage Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who preached the unity of all religions. The temple is noted for its excellent architecture, which skilfully and artistically fuses Hindu, Christian and Islamic motifs together as a symbol of unity of all religions.

Fort William in Kolkata is a fort built during the British Presidency in India by King William III in 1696 AD. Fort is embellished with hundreds of arched windows that overlook lush green gardens while meticulous stonework adorns the surface of the building.

Tagore’s House in Kolkata was the family mansion of Noble Prize winner Rabindra Nath Tagore. Today, lot of his inspirational quotes of Tagore along with paintings by him and his family members are being displayed here. There’s also a 1930 photo of Tagore with Einstein shot during a meeting.

Marble Palace was built in 1835 AD by Raja Rajendra Mullick who had the passion of collection of art works. The building was used by him and his family members as their residence. The mansion is famous for its marble walls, levish floors with fine marble in-lay work, Western sculptures , pieces of Victorian furniture, paintings by European and Indian artists, and other artifacts. A visitor is required to obtain a prior written permission from India Tourism or from West Bengal Tourism.

Special Experience : A Visit to Sculptors in Kumartuli

Goddess Durga festival during Dussehra in October is famous around the world. Clay idols of Goddess Durga and other deities and demons are immersed in Hogghly river. Kumartuli ( Sculptor’s lane ) is the perfect place to learn the art of idol making where craftspeople are creating straw frames, adding clay coatings, and painting divine features on idols for Durga and Kali.