West Bengal • 7 monuments
The Maidan also known as Brigade Parade Ground is the largest urban park in Kolkata in West Bengal. It includes various well known play grounds such as the Eden garden cricket ground, Kolkata race course and several play grounds. The Maidan is also famous for its many architectural monuments and statues including the Victoria Memorial. This vast open space in the heart of the city is often referred to as the "lungs of Kolkata". Owned by the Indian Army, the Maidan also makes the venue of the Eastern zone high command of the Indian Army in Fort William. Extending from the north end near the Raj Bhavan building in Esplanade to the National Library in Alipore on the south and the Hooghly River in the West to Chowringhee and Park Street in the East, Maidan is one of the most famous landmarks of this city. The road leading to the Maidan has many green bungalows which give it an old world charm. Being centrally located, it is a popular venue for many cultural events, political meetings and trade fairs apart from the annual events of the Eastern Command Army Parade Celebrations on the Independence Day and the Republic Day.
Ornamenting North Kolkata, Marble Palace is a spectacular creation from the nineteenth century. Constructed by Raja RajendraMullick in 1835, this palace enamours tourists through its gorgeous marble walls and shinning floors. Marble Palace is one of the Kolkata’s best conserved attractions. In the backyard of the mansion, one can see a rich collection of western sculpture and Victorian furniture and artistic work by Indian and European artists. A visit to Marble Palace will be a treat for animal lovers. Marble Palace Zoo is placed next to the palace. Although smaller in size, the zoo is believed to be the first one opened in the country. Primarily a bird sanctuary, the zoo is abode to species like hornbills, cranes, storks and peacocks. Other than bird species, the zoo also houses monkeys and several species of deer. Tourists can visit other nearby places of interest like Diamond Harbour, Sunderbans Delta, Jaldapara Sanctuary and Shantiniketan etc.
One of the most spectacular temples of India, Dakshineswar Kali Temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhavatarini (one who liberates from the ocean of existence), a form of Goddess Kali. The enchanting idol of the goddess is adorned with precious jewels and is believed to bless her devotees with happiness. The huge temple compound also houses 12 shrines of Lord Shiva and one dedicated to Radha-Krishna. Constructed in Bengal’s Navaratna (nine spires) architecture, the temple came into existence in 1855 according to the wish of Goddess Kali who visited her devout follower Rani Rashmoni in her dream. The temple claimed fame when Ramakrishna, a famous Bengal mystic, resided within the complex. Located on the bank of River Hooghly (a tributary of River Ganges), the temple offers breathtaking views of the holy waters. A holy bathing ghat (bank) of the river remains occupied with the devotees.
Dedicated to the most eminent Indian poet and the first non-European Noble laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, the Rabindra Bharati Museum portrays his entire life and achievements. The museum was established at Tagore’s ancestral house called Jorasanko Thakurbari by the first prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. The top exhibits at the museum include Tagore’s personal letters, books (first editions) written by him and books written about him. Many journals, clippings, pictures and paintings associated with his life are also worth exploring. In addition, one can find utensils and furniture items used by the Tagore family in display. An archive of records of the songs in the voice of those who learnt directly form Tagore is another highlight. Paintings of Indian, Western and Anglo-Indian origins form another important category of exhibits. The museum hosts celebrations on many important occasions, including Tagore’s birthday. Hundreds of poets, writers and admirers visit the museum to seek inspiration.
Easily the most prominent icon of Kolkata and West Bengal, Howrah Bridge is a cantilever bridge which helps hundreds of thousands of vehicles and pedestrians to cross River Hooghly. Connecting Kolkata with its twin city Howrah, it is a bridge with no nuts and bolts, but constructed by riveting the entire structure. Its construction started in 1930s and the bridge was opened for traffic in 1943. Showcasing the advanced British architecture and engineering and integrated with Kolkata’s history and culture, it is the busiest cantilever bridge in the world. A notable feature of the bridge is that it has no connecting pylons but connect the two cities in a single span. It is 705 m. in length and 71 ft. in width with 15 ft. wide footpath on both sides. The bridge was renamed Rabindra Setu, after the first Asian Noble Prize laureate Rabindranath Tagore in 1965, though continues to be popular with its original name. It is an outstanding experience to watch huge volume of traffic on the bridge from a boat or ferry.
The new Fort William was constructed by the British in 1758 when their old fort was annexed by Siraj Ud Daulah (Bengal’s Nawab) in 1756. A stunningly grand structure occupying the area of about 5 km. sq., the fort honours King William III and is situated on the bank of River Hooghly with an irregular octagonal shape. It is a brick and mortar structure with 6 gates and claims the distinction of being the world’s only fort from which no shot was ever fired. The fort is surrounded by Maidan, a huge ground, better known as the Lungs of Kolkata. The fort is currently in the possessions of Indian Army and offers amenities like swimming pool, restaurants and recreational clubs to about 10,000 military personnel residing inside. To visit the fort’s impressive arsenal and museum 9housing good collections of arms and old photographs), one needs permission from the Commanding Officer.
Kolkata’s Birla Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and like many other temples constructed by industrialist Birla Group; it is a striking white marble structure. Temple’s design takes inspiration from the world-famous Lingaraj temple of Bhubaneswar and is built in Rajasthani architectural style. The temple also has idols of other Hindu deities including Goddess Radha, Goddess Durga, Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha. Visitors to the temple are fascinated by the depiction of old Hindu scriptures on white marble. The temple turns into a glittering gem at night when its every part is lighted up. Birla Temple attracts not only Hindu pilgrims, but also other tourists in huge numbers, especially during festival celebrations like Janmashthmi.
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