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Guide to Calcutta, India
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CalcuttaCalcutta
When many think of Calcutta (Kolkata), they think poverty, and crumbling societies, and a destitute economic system. Meanwhile, Calcutta is quite a beautiful place full of people with an energy and humor you would never expect to find. Located just above the Bay of Bengal, Calcutta is surely far from perfect in terms of stability and health, yet a visit to a place coveted by Mother Teresa will show you how magical and inspiring a place such as this and its people can be.
When to go:
In a location you might expect to have a baking sun beating down on you all day, Calcutta is surprisingly temperate throughout the year. This makes anytime a wonderful time to visit, although if youre in the mood to experience some fairs and festivals, they are more frequent between October and February. Asias largest book fair is held here every last January/early February.
Getting there and around:
Calcuttas airport (Netaji Subhas Chandra Basu International Airport) is some distance away from the city itself. A public minibus will quickly take you the 17km to BBD Bagh, Calcuttas unofficial city centre, where all administrative buildings are generally located. If you wish, there is a taxi booth available at the airport, as well as a Metro line bus shuttle (a super-saver option).
If you want to be scared out of your mind, use the bus and minibus systems to get around Kolkata. Otherwise, use the reliable, efficient Metro. Kolkata built Indias first underground railway, and it is very well-kept. There are many taxis (yellow ones only) that will take you to the outer reaches of Calcutta if youre planning on going far off.
Where to go:
BBD Bagh (Binoy Badal Dinesh) is known as Calcuttas centre, where some of the governmental operations take place. Though it is important for the city, we enjoy BDD Bagh because of its Millennium Park, where you can see a gorgeous sunset and watch the natives pass by on the river ghats (stairs).
The Kali Temple is a nice place to visit, although its history is not quite a cheerful one. It has been an important pilgrimage site, even though every morning a goat is slaughtered here as a tribute to Lord Shivas wife. On a brighter note, next door to the Temple exists Mother Teresas Hospital for the Dying Destitute, where Missionaries work day and night for the cause Mother Teresa began and carried for so long. You can catch glimpses of their work there as well.
A beautiful place to visit, albeit at night, is the Birla Planetarium. It is one of the largest in the world, and is in walking distance of the area where most travelers stay while in Calcutta. The sky looks amazing at night, and there are great exhibits and other attractions at the planetarium.
A poet, novelist, playwright, and artist very influential to India, Rabindranath Tagore, has his house as a centre for Indian dance, drama, and music now. The building is home to a museum, as well as a university for fine arts. Its a beautiful place to visit, and a lot of history and influence has emerged from Tagore, even Indias national anthem, Jana Gana Maya.
The Maidan is a beautiful place to visit in Calcutta, with a large, clear expanse where many people come to relax and do all sorts of activities, such as games and picnics, or even take a stroll through the gardens nearby, which are just along the Hooghly River.
A visit to the Victoria Memorial will be sure to please you as well; after all, it is home to the Calcutta Gallery and National Leaders Gallery, which hold great exhibits of the history of Kolkata, both political and social.
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