Top Things to do in Kolkata (Calcutta)
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Things to do in Kolkata (Calcutta), West Bengal: The Best Historic Sites
This former British colonial stronghold boasts evidence of over two millennia of habitation, with ornate, architecturally diverse buildings, ranging from crumbing ruins to Victorian treasures. Home to lively festivals and a vibrant artistic community, clamorous markets and packed temples, this city is crowded and polluted, but ultimately invigorating.
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1. Nirmal Hirday (Pure Heart)
2. Barah Mihirer Dhipi Archeological Site
3. Ramakrishna Mission Swami Vivekananda's Ancestral House and Cultural Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By traveliswhereyougeto - Mumbai, India
The house of Swami Vivekananda creates peace and awe in equal measure. Restored from a practically dilapidated structure this has been immaculately restored to what it may have been when Swamiji lived here. During the restoration process, the original map of the house was obtained from the archives of the Calcutta High Court. It was bulit in mid 1800 and stands strong till today! Visitors can see the room where he was born, the prayer room with shiva linga where his mother used to pray for a child, the room where she read out the Ramayana to him (the original document has been preserved in a glass case for over 150 years), the thakur dalan (where family pujas were held) which was the most difficult structure during the entire restoration process. One cannot miss the beatifully restored red floors so typical of bengali homes in yesteryears. Swamiji's pictures in San Francisco and Chicago have also been displayed. There are audio visuals as well for the interested visitor. Overall, a very fulfilling experience in the house of a thinker, a reformer and a preacher, whose influence extended to the global stage.
4. Jorasanko Thakur Bari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 321 reviews
Reviewed By atulya_sinha - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
Jorasanko Thakurbari features prominently in the autobiographies of Rabindranath Tagore and his nephew Abanindranath. It was known as a centre of vocal and instrumental music, acting and stage décor, poetry and play readings, sketching and painting, and much else. Above all, it was the home of the illustrious Tagore family. The Thakurbari consists of three interconnected structures built in different centuries. Ram Bhavan, the earliest building at the site, was built by Nilmani Tagore (1729-91) when he shifted there from Pathurighata in 1784. The triple-storied main building, which forms the main façade that one sees while entering from Rabindra Sarani, is Maharshi Bhavan, named after Mahirshi Debendranath Tagore. Finally, the smaller building on the left is Vichitra Bhavan, constructed by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore in the 20th century. One enters the complex through a long passage starting from an arch on Rabindra Sarani. The Thakurbari, with its red and cream walls and green woodwork is a magnificent sight. You buy tickets near the gate – Rs 20 per head. In case you intend to use a camera or camera phone, you need to buy another ticket for Rs. 50 from the Museum office, but you are still not permitted to take any pictures inside the buildings. Incidentally, the tickets are aesthetically designed and worth preserving as souvenirs! You take off your shoes and pass the tiny reception/ sales counter, go up the main staircase and find yourself in the modest suite of rooms once occupied by Rabindranath, including the chamber where he breathed his last in 1941. You turn left at the end of the corridor, where you find two galleries of paintings: the first contains works of the Bengal school (mostly water colours), while the other has western style portraits of several generations of Tagores. A replica of the Nobel prize medal awarded to Rabindranath Tagore in 1913 is also on display. Next, you enter Ram Bhavan, the oldest structure. You see the room where Rabindranath and other family members were born. An alcove in the wall and some simple furniture from the original room has been carefully preserved. As you proceed further, you find four galleries which commemorate Tagore’s travels to America, China, Japan and Hungary respectively. These galleries have been sponsored by the governments or academic institutions of the respective countries and their displays seem quite ostentatious after the stark simplicity of the earlier galleries. You return to Maharshi Bhavan and reach Vichitra Bhavan through a small flight of stairs. It turns out that Vichitra Bhavan – true to its name – is a double-storey building which was constructed without a staircase! Later, a small wooden staircase was added, which can be seen in the reception chamber on the ground floor, but it is blocked off on the first floor. The upper floor of Vichitra Bhavan contains one large hall with a few smaller chambers, where pictures and other memorabilia associated with the Tagore family are on display. The lower floor contains the library and research centre, which are not open to public. Despite the grandeur of the buildings and the fabulous wealth of the Tagore family, one finds no trace of opulence in their lifestyle – just compare the simplicity of Jorasanko with the extreme flamboyance of Mullick Thakurbari (also known as the Marble Palace) in the same neighbourhood. It appears that Prince Dwarkanath Tagore (1794-1846), the poet’s grandfather, had rejected European culture in his home and organized a great sale of his household goods – including china, clocks, marble-topped tables, mahogany chairs and pianos – as far back as 1841! Later generations of the Tagore family were to become leaders of the Bengal Renaissance across diverse forms of art, including painting, drama, poetry and music. Highly educated individuals volunteer to work as guides in Jorasanko – we had the honour of being escorted by a young lady with two post-graduate degrees, including one from Rabindra Bharti University itself. Such learned guides combine deep scholarship with much adoration for the institution. They are fluent in multiple languages – including English, Hindi and Bangla. A visit to Jorasanko Thakurbari is highly recommended.
5. General Post Office
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By ankan146 - Kolkata (Calcutta), India
general post office,, is a huge building with vast pillars and giant structure, first day covers and excusive coins are availble.along with stamps and whole lot of speed post courier/mailing service.millenium park and ferry ghat is nearby. (giv vote if liked)
6. Marble Palace
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 27 reviews
Built in 1835, this largely Italian marble palace, has an odd conglomeration of attractions: winding stairways, underground cellars, huge verandahs, statues, an impressive collection of antiques, caves with cannons, a zoo and duck ponds.
Reviewed By NITASH
Through the narrow lanes when one reaches this place it seems unreal to find such a vast property in that area. The place has its own guides whom you can tip after the walk. Shoes ar e not allowed inside the palace so remember to wear socks if you have an issue walking barefoot, though the place is neat and clean. The collection of the rich businessman and Zamindar (landlord) of yore is amazing and extravagant. The number of Marbles used for a single flooring was a huge variety and then there was a carpet( rolled up n kept) with the same pattern on it. Interesting this place houses the first zoo of India.
7. Acharya Bhavan
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 5 reviews
The one-time residence of Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose, the eminent scientist who discovered radio waves. (Yes, even before Marconi)
8. Chandraketu's Fort
9. Fort William
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By Biswapothik - New Delhi, India
Can.t really describe the area. you have to scroll to feel the area. its green lung of kolkata. You may travel by cycling , by car or by horse drawn cart or by simple walking. Saturday is the racing day. if you get time you can peep in one of the oldest racing ground in the world .
