'Gateway to the East', commercial hub of India's eastern region, West Bengal is a land steeped in history, heritage and visual delights. There is much to see and do here.

Kolkata is regarded as one of the most intriguing cities of the world. Music and theatre. Historic buildings and interesting side streets. And great people. A city with a soul.

North of Bengal is the Eastern Himalayas and the sub-Himalayan Dooars. Snow-clad mountains, rolling hills, lush tea gardens and dense forests. All ideal locations for trekking, wildlife adventure or to relax.

The Ganga, India's most revered river, flows through the plains. From Murshidabad, through Kolkata to the Bay of Bengal, the Gangetic plains abide rich in Hindu/Buddhist-Mughal-British history. Explore temples, heritage sites or take a pleasure trip sailing down the river.

To the south is Sunderbans Wildlife Sanctuary. A designated World Heritage site. It has one of the largest tiger populations, amongst the Indian parks.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN KOLKATA

Science City

Located in the east side near Dhapa. It is a science museum with whole lot of attractions. The Space Odyssey, Dynamotion, Life Science Corners, Science Park, Toy Train and Ropeway are some of the other added attractions. Space Time Rocket takes you to the cavity of an erupting volcano or back to the days of pyramids. Bus routes S19 Jadavpur 8B Bus Stand - Ultadanga MS37 Garia - Barasat S21 Bagbazar - Garia GL3 Amtala - Ultadanga S23 Salt Lake(Karunamayee) - Esplanade

Kalighat Kali Temple

The temple at Kalighat as a place of worship for the Sakti cultists was set up by the Sabarna Roy Choudhurys, a famous Brahmin Zamindar family of Barisa in the district of 24 Parganas. It is one of the oldest landmarks of the city and one of the chief pilgrimage sites for devout Hindus. Bus routes 21 Barisha (Silpara)-Esplanade (via- Sodpur) 21/1 Barisha - BBD Bag (via-Taratala) 5,6 Howrah - Garia Station GL3 Amtala - Ultadanga

Howrah Bridge

A fine specimen of structural workmanship, this bridge connects Calcutta and Howrah over river Hooghly. It was completed in 1941. Length main span : 450 meter, length of drop in span : 172 meter, height: 82 meter. Bus routes L238 Barasat - Howrah Fire St. S2 Kundghat - Howrah St S4 Parnasree (Behala) - Howrah St 254 Salt Lake - Howrah Maidan

Victoria Memorial

Beautiful monument built as a memorial to the Queen Victoria. Built of white marble brought from Jodhpur, it stands in the south east corner of the Maidan. It was opened on 1921. There are enormous oil paintings in the Royal Gallery, illustrating episodes from queen Victoria's long, eventful life and reign - an impressive collection of the British colonial period. The monument is surrounded by beautiful gardens, walk-ways and parks. Bus routes 2 -Rabindra Sadan-Paikpara 5,6 Howrah Station - Garia 4C Haridevpur -B.B.D.Bag

Eden Gardens

In 1835, Mrs. Eden, sister of Lord Auckland, laid out Eden Gardens. A nice garden with a Burmese pagoda and a band stand. The place has All India Radio Station ( Akashbani Bhawan ) and a cricket stadium which can accommodate 85000 people. Bus routes 239A Salt Lake(G.D.Bl) - Babughat 241 Sanotshpur Rly St(Metiaburuz) - Babughat 237 Birati - Babughat

Fortwilliam

Situated on the bank of river Hooghly and named after King William III. The fort occupies five square kilometers and has six gates. The Arsenal inside is worth visiting for which a prior permission is required from the Commanding Officer. Bus routes 76 Diamonharbour - Esplanade Behala - BBD Bag Minibus 5,6 Howrah Station - Garia

Jorasanko Thakurbari & Rabindra Bharati Museum

The place where Rabindranath Tagore was born and breathed last. The place is a living memoir of the great poet laureate and is a treasure house of information. It stands as reminder of the greatness of Bengal that achieved world fame. Bus routes 30AEsplanade-Sinthee More 78C Esplanade - Belghoria St

Agri - Horticultural Gradens

Agri-Horticultural Gardens are situated in Alipore and was founded by William Carey in 1820. This garden has a significant collection of botanical varieties with facilities for gardeners and plant/flower lovers. This garden is adjacent to the Calcutta's Zoological Garden. Open: 07:00-11:00 and 15:00-17:00 Bus routes 204 Sealdah - Alipore Court 230 Kamarhati - Alipore Zoo 17A Howrah - GolfGreen

Rabindra Sadan

Rabindra Sadan is a notable cultural Centre in Bengal, as well as in India. It is situated at the junction of A.J.C. Bose Road and Cathedral Road. Foundation stone was laid on 8.5.61 by the late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. And started its functions from Oct., 1967. It has been erected a mark of homage to Gurudev Rabindranath through the relative branches of performing arts. Bus routes 2 -Rabindra Sadan-Paikpara 4C Haridevpur -B.B.D.Bag 5 & 6 Howrah - Garia

Academy of Fine Arts

Established in 1933. Exhibits works of contemporary artists throughout the year. Group theatres and dance programs are performed in a hall inside. The Rabindra gallery exhibits manuscripts, paintings and personal belongings of Tagore. Open 3-8 p.m. All buses going to Rabindra Sadan can bring you here. The nearest Metro station "Rabindra Sadan" is 3/4 minutes walk. Bus routes 2 -Rabindra Sadan-Paikpara 4C Haridevpur -B.B.D.Bag 5 Howrah - Garia

Botanical Gardens

At Shibpur, Howrah, botanical garden was founded in 1786 on the bank of river Hooghly. Located on 270 acre has around 50,000 different kinds of plants, trees, herbs. The oldest Banyan tree is 250 years old. Bus routes MS35 Nicco Park - Botanical Garden 16Dhakuria-Shibpur ( Tram Depot ) L16Tangra Housing -Shibpur(Botanical Garden) GLS6 Garia - Botanical Garden

VidyaSagar Setu

Well known as second Howrah bridge. Connects Calcutta to Howrah. A cable staid bridge broad enough to carry six cars side by side. Main span length 457 meter and pylon height is 127 meter. Bus routes GLS6 Garia - Botanical Garden

National Library

Biggest public library in India. Located at Belvedere House in Alipore. Previously Emperial Library. It consists of around 1800000 books and documents in all different languages. Bus routes 204 Sealdah - Alipore Court 230 Kamarhati - Alipore Zoo 17A Howrah - Golfgreen

Dakshineswar Temple

On the bank of the Ganges near Bally bridge. One temple of goddess Kali & 12 temples of God Shiva. Full of memories of saint Ramakrishna and his wife Sarada Debi Bus routes 32A Dakshineswar - Salt Lake Stadium 34 Esplanade-Ariadaha (Dakshineswar)

Asiatic Society

The institution is located at 1 , Park Street (at the junction of Park Street and J.L.Nehru Road ). Was founded by Sir William Jones in 1784 with Warren Hastings as its first patron. The library inside has approximately 20000 volumes inclusive of 8000 rare Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian and Hindi manuscripts. It is also rich with archaeological relics, geological and ethnological specimens. Bus routes 208 Kundghat - Babughat 4C Haridevpur -B.B.D.Bag 5 Garia-Howrah Station (via- Dhakuria)

Belur Math

6 kms from Howrah station on the bank of the river Hooghly. Provides a picturesque view of Belur math and Ramakrishna temple. Was built in 1899. The Ramakrishna mission runs among other things, an art college, an industrial school and charitable dispensary. Bus routes Belur - BBD Bag Mini Bus (via Esplanade) 51,54,56 From Howrah Station

Birla Temple

The Birla Temple,on Ashutosh Chowdhury Avenue, Ballygunge, is another landmark of Kolkata. This is a beautiful Orissan style temple made of white marble stone. Bus routes Jadavpur - Airport Mini Bus S14 Salt Lake(Karunamayee) - Garia 10 Ballygunge - Howrah

Indian Museum

Established in 1814, commonly known as 'Jadughar'. One of the biggest and oldest in Asia. Has more than 54000 coins which are more than 2400 years old. Open daily except Thursday 10:00Am to 5:00PM. Bus routes L14BKarunamayee ( Salt Lake )- Esplanade 14 Behala-Esplanade 5,6 Howrah Station - Garia

Shahid Minar

48 meter ( 218 steps ) high monument near Chowringhee, the city centre of Kolkata. Was erected in recognition of the services of Sir David Octerlony who brought the Nepalese war (1812-1814) to a successful end. In 1969, it's name was changed to 'Sahid Minar'. From the top you can get a view of the downtown Calcutta. Bus routes L14B Karunamayee (Salt Lake)- Esplanade 14 Behala-Esplanade S10 Dumdum Airport - Esplanade

Nicco Park - Jheel Meel

Equivalent to being the Disney Land of West Bengal, a theme park located at Salt Lake, a satellite township of Kolkata. The park is one of the biggest amusement parks in the country and has innovative entertainment for all age groups. Food is not allowed to be carried inside. Bus routes MS35 Nicco Park - Botanical Garden L14B Karunamayee (Salt Lake)- Esplanade 44A Nicco Park-Howrah Station

Zoological Gardens

Comprising area of 16 hector, this zoo has large collection of animals. Zoological Garden, built in 1867, are situated to the south of the Maidan and covers an area of about 16 hectares. The lakes within are a favourite retreat for the migratory Siberian birds during winter. The zoo houses the Royal Bengal Tiger among other animals of note. Bus routes 204 Sealdah - Alipore Court 230 Kamarhati - Alipore Zoo 17A, Howrah - Golfgreen

Pareshnath Temple

In the neighborhood of Manicktala is the Parasnath Jain Temple. It is dedicated to Lord Sital Nath, the 10th of the 24 Jain Tirthankaras (Prophets). It was built in 1867. A pretty long drive (because of traffic) along B.T.Road and then towards the Vivekanada Bridge leads to the Dakhineshwar Kali Temple. This beautiful temple on the banks of the Hooghly river was built in 1855 by Rani Rashmoni (1793-1861). This temple is associated with one of India's greatest religious philosophers - Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (Gadadhar Chattopadhyay - 1836-1886). Bus routes 3B Belgachia ( Milk Colony )-New Alipore 3C Esplanade-Belgharia Rly. Station 79B Esplanade - Barasat

Writers Building

A little north of Esplanade East is the Benoy Badal Dinesh Bag. BBD Bag is the administrative heart of the city with a rectangular tank at the center. A massive red building called the Writers' Building occupies the northern side of the square. The original building was constructed in 1770 and was modified to its more imposing look after a century. It was used to house the writers (junior servants) of the East India Company. Today it houses the West Bengal Government secretariat. It is named after Benoy, Badal and Dinesh, three young martyrs. Bus routes 5,6 Howrah Station - Garia Naktala - Howrah Mini Bus Behala - BBD Bag Mini Bus S12 Howrah - Beleghata 4C Haridevpur -B.B.D.Bag

Birla Planetarium

One of the largest in Asia. Was inaugurated on 29th September, 1962. Internal diameter of the tomb is 82 feet. Air conditioned auditorium has chairs which can be inclined backwards to have a heavenly view. Shows in Hindi, English and Bengali. The auditorium has a capacity of 500. Get down at 'Maidan' station of Metro rail. Closed on Monday. Bus routes 2 -Rabindra Sadan-Paikpara 4C Haridevpur -B.B.D.Bag 227 Dumdum Airport - S.E.Rly(Garden Reach)

Next