Place of Tourist Interest in Kolkata
Botanical Gardens: Situated at Shibpur, on the west bank of the river Hooghly, and opposite Garden Reach, the Botanical gardens were founded in 1786. It comprises an area of 109.27 hectares of land and is famous for the great banyan tree with many hundred of aerial roots which covers ground of 382 metre in the circumference and was formerly 28 metre in height. Near the Herbarium, there is a house containing about 40,000 species of dried plants.
Indian Museum: This museum was established in 1874. It is a place of veritable interest. Though many of its major collection are now shifted to the Victoria Memorial or to Delhi, still it attracts thousands of tourist every year. This Museum houses a very old mummy & a huge dinosaur skeleton apart from many more objects from the ancient past.
Netaji Bhavan: Situated at 38/2, Elgin Road, this building has become a pilgrimage to the people of the country. It was here that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose lived and worked and miraculously escaped in 1943 to fight the final battle with the British. One can see his personal belonging here which are carefully and affectionately kept as exhibits.
Victoria Memorial: This is the noblest monument built as a memorial to the Queen Victoria, Empress of India and Queen of Great Britain. Built of white marble brought from Jodhpur state, Rajasthan, it stands on the South-Eastern corner of the Maidan.
St Pauls Cathedral: Bishop Wilson built this church in Gothic style in 1847. This Church is the most beautiful & always well maintained. It attracts Christians from all over the world
Metro Rail: Also First of its kind in India. Something to be really proud of. The platforms are decorated with novel ideas and are spic and span with cleanliness. This underground transport system is the most comfortable and fast. Almost 60% of Calcuttans prefer to travel this Eco-friendly means.
Nehru Childrens Museum: This Museum contains a collection of dolls from all over the world. Most interesting to old and young. The galleries display the Ramayana and Mahabharata in dolls.
National Library: Formerly known as the Imperial Library, it is the biggest Library in India. It contains a huge collection of books and a number of valuable scripts and manuscripts in various languages.
Birla Planetarium: Birla Planetarium is a big sky watching venue in Calcutta and also one of the largest in Asia.
Alipore Zoo: Comprising a vast area of 16 hectares this zoo is the house of hundreds of wild animals and birds. In winter lots of migratory birds come from far away lands. This zoo also has a good collection of sea-fishes & snakes.
Eden Gardens: These public gardens were laid out in 1835 by Mrs. Eden, sister of Lord Auckland, the then Governor General of India. A beautiful spot with a Burmese Pagoda. Inside the gardens are the All India Radio Station and the Cricket Stadium which can accommodate 85,000 people.
Pareshnath Temple: Situated at Belgachia, Pareshnath Temple is the main Jain Temple in Calcutta. It is a must visit for the Jains.
Raj Bhavan: It is the residence of the governor of West Bengal. Also known as Writers Buildings. This splendid building is enclosed with 6 acres of land. The throne of Tipu Sultan is inside the building and the room is known as throne room.
Salt Lake Stadium: Also known as Yuba Bharati Krirangan, is situated approximately 10 Km from city centre. The sitting capacity of this stadium is 1,25,000. It is one of the largest in India.
Bose Institute: Established by Late Sri Jagadish Chandra Bose, is the famous place in Calcutta where Research work on plants are carried on by scholars from various parts of the country and other Afro- Asian nations.
Belur Math: 6.4 Kilometers from Howrah Station on the bank of the river Hooghly are situated Belur Math and Ramakrishna temple providing a picturesque view. These were built in 1899 at a cost of over Rs. 8 Lakh.
Science City: Set in a 50 Acre of plot at the junction of Eastern Metropolitan bypass and Park Circus connectors. It has the capacity to hold more than 20,000 visitors at a time with conference hall, cafeteria, monorails, ropeway etc.
