It is quite hot during the summer, so, to explore Kolkata, the ideal time would be from October to February. There are innumerable places in Kolkata that would provide any traveller with the nostalgia of the city, with its taste, culture, serenity and livelihood.
To begin the tour of Kolkata, the first place to set foot would be-
1. Victoria Memorial:
It is a grand white marble palace, build in the memory of Queen Victoria. The architecture itself is quite glorious to behold and furthermore, it holds many Indian historical artefacts and precious valuables of the colonized times. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and peaceful ambiance, it is truly precious for any Kolkata lover. A tour of the memorial is a perfect walk through history that would enable anyone to rediscover our past with a calm and quiet mind. The place is most happily situated on the banks of the Hooghly river, near Chowringhee road. This museum is a primary tourist destination in Kolkata.
2. Maidan:
After Victoria Memorial, the largest urban ground of Kolkata, The Maidan ground is perfect for a leisurely stroll. The ground is truly delightful and walks through the ground brings people closer to nature. It is also a beautiful place to enjoy a picnic or occasional games with friends and family. It is a calm, serene place which is also known as the lungs of Kolkata. The Maidan is filled with absolute greenery that has attracted people for a long time.
3. St. Paul’s Cathedral:
To acquire the taste of Kolkata’s heritage, a visit to the St. Paul’s Cathedral is a must. The Cathedral is primarily noted for its gothic architecture. The building was finished in 1847 and it is the largest Cathedral in Kolkata and the first episcopal church built in Asia. After earthquakes damaging the Cathedral, it was restructured into a revised ‘Indo-Gothic’ design.
4. Park St. Cemetery:
To roam around the nostalgia of Kolkata and experience an eerie feeling that can only come with the acute sense of mind, the Part St. Cemetery is worth a visit. The old and forgotten or maybe completely lost names and their tombs echo the words: “Memento Mori”; a simple Latin phrase that means, ‘remember you must die’. It holds the grave of Henry Derozio (The assistant headmaster of Hindu College, who was also known as the Young Bengal) among other famous persons. From the first step inside the cemetery till after leaving, an exhilarating feeling encompasses the mind.
5. Biswa Bangla Gate:
A brand new attraction of Kolkata, The Biswa Bangla Gate is quite a spectacle. It has a spider like construction whose 4 legs are situated, circling a crisscross road joint. It is at St. no. 326, Newtown Action Area – 1, but more generally known as the stoppage “Narkelbagan”. The gate is impossible to miss even from far. It holds a restaurant on top, for which, one needs to book a ticket first. For, it only allows a few people at a time and for a 45-minute time slot only; unless one arranges to visit the place for dinner, which starts from 7 pm. The tickets can be booked from ‘book my show’ as well. To enjoy the view of the night lights of Kolkata and perfectly well constructed New town area, one should visit it after dusk. The beauty viewed from the top is truly glorious.
6. Eco Park:
Situated in Rajarhat, Kolkata, the grand touring park holds many attractions for children and adults alike. It is a blissful serene place, perfect for a whole day of entertainment. The view of the lake during the dusk is mesmerising. And a walk through the delightful paths are enchanting for anyone. Offering many attractions like butterfly garden, bamboo garden, mask garden, other cultural zones, and the replicas of the 7 wonders of the world, they attract many curious eyes. Options like bicycle ride, boating and other innovative rides can be enjoyed to the fullest here as well.
I am an English honours graduate, currently completing Master’s Degree on the same field. I am a nature lover by heart and a food lover by soul. Writing provides me the bliss of mind and respite. So, I let my heart out through words and imagination so that I could reach every reader.