Parashnath Jain TempleBuilt in 1867 has mirror in laid pillars, stained glass windows and marble floors. Its garden is however dotted with European statues and blocks of glass mosaic. Devout Jains from distant parts of India flock to the temple precincts all-round the year. Photography allowed only outside. Guests will have to remove shoes to enter main temple.
Kumartuli20 min
This unique artisan village dates back 400 years, making it perhaps the oldest of its kind in the world. Around 250 artists work to produce 40,000 idols a year, including 3500 images of Durga. With more than a thousand workers assisting the artisans, Kumartuli is a mini industry. It exports 50 Durga idols to virtually all corners of the world, including UK, USA, Canada, Germany and Switzerland. Photography allowed on charges.
College Street (Boi Para)20 min
It is dotted with some of the India’s finest and oldest educational institutes and street lined with book shops. Some of the Kolkata’s most renowned academic institutions like Calcutta University, Presidency College, Calcutta Medical College and Sanskrit College are also located in this street.
The Indian Coffee House is a Kolkata legend, and was around much before Barista and Starbucks came along. This is the most favourite gathering place for the writers, intellectuals, artists and students for many decades. In this large historical and legendary café, you can find hundreds of Kolkatan's busy discussing their favourite issue over a cup of coffee. The iconic Coffee House has ridiculously high ceilings, small square tables, murals and paintings on the walls that will take you right back to India’s past. Steeped in culture and heritage, the intensity of this place is palpable. Previously known as ‘Albert Hall’ and renamed ‘Indian Coffee House’ post Independence, it has been a centre for the arts for around 300 years.
Pass by
Named in the memory of Lord Dalhousie who was the Governor General of India from 1847 to 1856. The Dalhousie Square is surrounded by some of Kolkata's most enduring Raj-era monuments like High Court, Town Hall, St. John’s Church, the magnificent GPO (General Post Office), the regal Raj Bhawan, and the Gothic style Writer's Building.
Malik Ghat Flower Market20 min
Beneath the east end of Howrah Bridge, is eastern India's largest flower market with hundreds of stalls and people sitting on the ground. Around 2,000 flower growers from the surrounding areas come to sell their flowers and garlands and during the wedding and festive season probably double that number.
Victoria Memorial HallThis is one of India's most beautiful monuments built between 1906 and 1921 on the lines of white marble. The memorial was the inspiration of Lord Curzon, who in 1901, felt that his lately departed Queen Empress, required a suitable monument to her memory. It houses paintings, manuscripts, and other objects of historic value in its Museum and Art Gallery.
St. Paul's CathedralBuilt between 1839 and 1847. The Cathedral measures 71m in length 24m in width the spire rising 60m high. Inside there's some interesting memorials and stained glass, including the west window by Sir Edward Burne-Jones. The massive gold-gilt plate presented by Queen Victoria to Bishop Wilson is also of special interest.
Howrah BridgePass by
Howrah Bridge or Rabindra Setu (rechristened in 1965) connects Kolkata with Howrah across the river Hooghly. It was opened for traffic in 1943. Around 26500 tonnes of steel was used to make this 705m long cantilever truss bridge standing on two 83 m high pillars.
Kalighat Kali TempleThis ancient Kali temple is Kolkata’s holiest spot for Hindus, and possibly the source of the city’s name. Today’s version is the 1809 rebuild, with floral- and peacock-motif tiles that look more Victorian than Indian. More interesting than the architecture are the jostling pilgrim queues that snake into the main hall to fling hibiscus flowers at a crowned, three-eyed Kali image with a gold-plated tongue. Behind the bell pavilion, goats are ritually beheaded on auspicious days to honour the goddess.
