Tour of the Historical Tram Museum Including Tram and Metro Ride

K. C. Das is a heritage sweet shop of Kolkata. This is also our meeting point. We begin our walking tour from here after tasting the signature sweet of the shop.

This place is the 2nd point of interest, just oppostite K. C. Das. The Tipu Sultan Shahi Mosque (also known as Tipu Sultan Masjid) is a famous mosque in Kolkata, India named after Tipu Sultan the ruler of Mysore. Located at 185 Dharamtalla Street, the mosque is a relic of architectural and cultural heritage.

This is the 3rd point of interest in our tour, which lies opposite to the Tipu Sultan's Mosque. The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Lenin Sarani in central Kolkata, commonly known as Sacred Heart Church or Portuguese Church, was consecrated on this day. The foundation stone had been laid on February 12, 1832. According to the website of the Archdiocese of Kolkata, the church was “built by Mrs Pascoa da Souza, a member of the prominent Portuguese family, the Barrettos…between 1832 and 1834 behind Dharamtola Bazaar on Dhurrumtollah (Dharamtola) Street at the centre of British Calcutta”. It is said da Souza promised to build the church after her son received a less harsh sentence than she had feared for seriously injuring another European man. It has gorgeous stained glass windows, is supported by Corinthian pillars and most of all, bears an exceptional 14 stations of the Cross in marble, depicting the last journey of Christ.

4th Heritage site on our list is Raj Bhavan. Raj Bhavan is the official residence of the Governor of West Bengal, located in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal. Built in 1803, it was known as Government House during the Company rule in India and the British Raj. After the transfer of power from the East India Company to the British Crown in 1858, it became the official residence of the Viceroy of India, moving here from the Belvedere Estate. With the shifting of the Indian capital from then Calcutta to Delhi in 1911, it became the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal. Since Indian independence in August 1947, it has served as the official residence of the Governor of West Bengal and is known as the Raj Bhavan, a name it shares with the official residences of other states' governors. We will see the building from outsite.

Kolkata Tram Museum “Smaranika” is housed within a vintage tram built in 1938. Interestingly, this wooden body streamlined tram is still functional. One car is a modified cafeteria whereas the other showcases some interesting memorabilia on trams in Kolkata from the early days to the present day. The Kolkata Tram Museum’s present collection includes photos and write-ups of the earliest trams like Horse-Drawn tram cars, Disinfectant Trams, Flat Wagon Trams, Omni Bus, Watering Tram cars and more. Other exhibits include Old Tram Tickets, Tram Passes, pens used by tram conductors, coins, armlets, Coin Exchanger Machine, conductor caps and various tram parts like Pull-Off Springs, Governor Switch and more. Overall, the whole exhibition gives a brief idea of the history of nearly 150 years of Kolkata’s very own trams. After all this, if you want to sip a cup of hot coffee and watch a documentary on Kolkata’s trams then take a seat in the cafeteria and spend a few quiet moments.

Next we ride, up and down, the first in Asia, underwater metro rail, between Esplanade and Howrah.

Finally, we get to the Heritage Tram Joyride from Esplanade to Shyambazar/Gariahat and back. We will pass by over 25 landmark heritage sites in our joyride.

We will pass by Thoburn Memorial Methodist Church, Estd in 1873 by Revd. Dr. J. M. Thoburn. Largest Methodist Church in Calcutta and a heritage site