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Victoria Memorial |
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A splendid
architectural structure in white marble, modeled on the Taj
Mahal, was built in the early 20th century. In memory of Queen
Victoria and was formally inaugurated by the Prince of Wales in
1921 who later became King Edward VIII of England. The stately
bronze statue of the queen near the entrance, the brass canons,
wrought iron street lamps, manicured lawns, gardens and
pathways, the magical lighting effect in the evening and a fairy
tale 'Fountain of Joy' facing the memorial building create an
atmosphere of unforgettable charm. |
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Indian Museum |
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This museum was
established in 1878 on Jawaharlal Nehru Road. The museum is
built in Italian architectural style and is considered as the
largest museum in the country and one of the best in Asia. The
largest museum in the country, the museum has six sections: Art,
Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology and Industry
(economic botany). From the Egyptian mummy to the skeleton of
the whale and some rare statues; the museum has every thing. One
of the rooms has a collection of meteorites. The museum also has
a unique fossil collection of prehistoric animals which includes
a giant crocodile and a huge tortoise. The art collection has
many fine pieces from Orissa and other temples and superb
example of Buddhist Gandharan art. |
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Eden Gardens |
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In the North-West
corner of the Maidan are small & pleasantly laid out Eden
Gardens. The gardens were created in 1840 and named after the
sister of Lord Auckland, the former governor general. The idea
was to make a Biblical - style garden of Eden in India. The
expanse dotted with beautiful trees and shrubs is intersected by
winding paths, and there is a large artificial lake. Alongside
the gardens, is the world famous Eden Gardens cricket stadium.
The stadium is supposed to be the largest in Asia with a seating
capacity of more than a lakh spectators. The Kolkata cricket
ground, where International test & one day matches are held, is
also with in the gardens. Near the gardens you can take a
pleasant walk along the bank of hoogly river. |
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Maidan & Fort
William |
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After the events of
1756, the British decided there would be no repetition of the
attack on the city and set out to replace the original Fort
William, in the Maidan , with a massive and impregnable new
fort. First they cleared out the inhabitants of the village of
Govindpur and in 1758 laid the foundations of a fort. Around the
fort a huge expanse of jungle was cut down to give the cannons a
clear line of fire but, as usually happens, the fort has never
fired a shot in anger.
The fort is still in use today and visitors are only allowed
inside with special permission. Even the trenches and deep
fortifications surrounding the fort's massive walls seem to be
out of bounds.
The area cleared around Fort William became the Maidan, the
'lungs' of modern Kolkata. This huge green expanse stretches
three km north to south and is over a km wide. It is bound by
Strand Rd along the river to the west and by Chowringhee Rd,
lined with shops, offices, hotels and eating places, to the
east. The stream known as Tolly's Nullah forms its southern
boundary, and here you will find a racecourse and the Victoria
Memorial. In the north-west corner of the Maidan is Eden
Gardens, while Raj Bhavan overlooks it from the north. |
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Ochterlony
Monuments |
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Now officially
renamed the Shahid Minar, this 48m column tower over the
northern end of the Maidan. It was erected in 1828 and named
after Sir David Ochterlony, who is credited with winning the
Nepal War. The column is an intriguing combination of Turkish,
Egyptian and Syrian architectural elements.
There's a fine view from the top of the column, but
permission to ascend must be obtained from police headquarters,
which is on Lal Bazaar St. It's only open Monday to Friday and
you should simply ask for a 'monument pass' at the Assistant
Commissioner's office on the 2nd floor. |
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St Paul's
Cathedral |
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Built between 1839 and 1847, St
Paul's Cathedral is one of India's most important churches. It's
east of the Victoria Memorial at the South end of the Maidan.
The steeple fell during an earthquake in 1897 and was redesigned
and rebuilt. Inside there's some interesting memorials and
stained glass, including the west window by Sir Edward
Burne-Jones. It's open to visitors from 9 am to noon, and from 3
to 6 pm. Sunday services are at 7.30 and 8.30 am, and 6 pm |
Events And Festivals
 To
know and understand Calcutta in its eternity, one is invited to the
city during Durga Puja-a time when Calcutta becomes unforgettable.
Every year, for four days, Calcutta forgets its worries and yields
to a paroxysm of celebration and worship. This special time of the
year comes just before the full moon in late September or October.
This is a special occasion because of the transcendent place Goddess
Durga holds in the Bengali imagination.
Saraswati Puja is the celebration of
Saraswati, the goddess of learning. The festival is celebrated in
Kolkata just before the coming of spring in the months of January or
February.
Calcutta Book Fair is the largest in Asia and provides ample
opportunities to the bibliophiles to explore the fascinating world
of books. The event is held every year in the month of January or
February in Calcutta.
Poush Mela is celebrated in the Shanti Niketan usually on the 22nd
or 23rd of December. The three-day function marks the foundation of
Shanti Niketan near Kolkata.
Other important festivals celebrated in Calcutta are Kali Puja,
Diwali, and Holi.
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