Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is the capital of India’s West Bengal state. Founded as an East India Company trading post, it was India’s capital under the British Raj from 1773–1911. Today it’s known for its grand colonial architecture, art galleries and cultural festivals. It’s also home to Mother House, headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa.

Sundarbans

Known for hosting the biggest mangrove forests in the world, Sundarbans National Park is located in West Bengal, India. It is also a Tiger Reserve and a Biosphere reserve that provides a complete nature’s circle to the tourist right from ‘Royal Bengal tigers’ to roaring rivers and beautiful estuaries. Sundarbans National Park is a part of Sundarban delta that is covered with Mangrove Forest and the largest population of the Bengal Tigers. It is a UNESCO world heritage site with a large variety of birds and reptiles including salt-water crocodile.

Shared between India and Bangladesh, the Sundarbans meaning beautiful forest, have been declared a UNESCO heritage site. This area has a silent charm that manages to amaze one with the simplicity and naturalness of its ecological balance in spite of offering habitat to some of the most dynamic and awe-inspiring flora and fauna. They are in fact the last remaining stands of the mighty jungles which once covered the Gangetic plain and the sustainability of this natural structure is pretty majestic. Since 1966, the Sundarbans have been a wildlife sanctuary, and it is estimated that there are over 400 Royal Bengal Tigers and about 30, 000 spotted deer in the area

Timings

It starts at 08:30 AM and ends at 04:00 PM. Boats are not allowed inside after 06:30 PM. Both AC and Non-AC boats

Victoria Memorial Palace

Victoria Memorial is one of the famous and beautiful monuments of Kolkata. It was built between 1906 and 1921 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s 25-year reign in India. After the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, the British government gathered the reins of control of the country directly, and in 1876 the British parliament made Victoria the Empress of India. Her reign ended with her death in 1901.

The Victoria Memorial is possibly the most awesome reminder of the Raj to be found in India. This huge white-marble museum, made from Makrana marbles from Rajasthan, is filled with a vast collection of remnants from the period of British Empire rule in India. The forms in the museum like the great dome, clustered with four subsidiary, octagonal domed chattris, the high portals, the terrace and the domed corner towers speak of a splendid richness in architecture. The Memorial is situated on 64 acres of land with the building covering 338 ft by 228 ft.

Victoria Memorial Gallery:

The gallery is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM from Tuesdays to Sundays.
The entry fee per head for Indians is INR 20, while for foreigners, it is INR 200. School children up to class XII in uniform and army personnel do not have to pay any entry fee.

The Gardens:

The gardens are open on all days from 5:30 AM to 6:15 PM.
The entry price per head is just INR 10, while yearly ticket costs INR 1,000 for senior citizens above 60, and INR 2,000 for others

Dakshineswar Temple

A temple that resides in the heart of every single Bengali and is highly revered for being the sanctum sanctorum of Goddess Kali along with the place-of-stay of one of the greatest mystics and yogis of all times, Ramkrishna Paramhansa and his consort and spiritual companion, Maa Sarada Devi .

The large temple complex has a series of 12 mandirs dedicated to Lord Shiva, a Radha-Krishna Temple, bathing ghat, Rani Rashmoni’s shrine, Nahavat-Khana, a chamber on the north-western part of the complex where Ramkrishna resided along with the main Kali Temple. With the traditional ‘Nava-ratna’-styled Bengali architecture, the three-storey temple stands on a high platform with a fleet of stairs. Overlooking the Hooghly River and the Belur Math across, the Dakshineshwar Kali Temple stands tall with its historical association with some of the greatest names to have resided in the ‘City of Joy’, Kolkata.

Known and unknown facts:

• the construction of the temple was initiated in the year 1847 and completed in 1855.
• the total area of the temple complex measures about 54.4bighas and cost Rani Rashmoni around Rs 42, 500.
• the idols were installed on the auspicious ‘snana-yatra’ day, 31st May 1855.
• Visiting hours: October to March- 06:00am to 12:30pm and 03:00pm to 08:30pm

April to September- 06:00am to 12:30pm and 03:00pm to 09:00pm

Howarah Bridge

The beautiful Rabindra Setu which connects Kolkata to Howrah has today become an icon of Bengal’s history, culture, and tourist attractions. Popularly known as the Howarh Bridge, it was constructed in 1946 and till date, sees a massive amount of traffic on a daily basis.

The need for a bridge connecting the cities on either side of the Ganges was felt early on. As Calcutta grew in size and became increasingly busier, the necessity was felt for increased connectivity by building a bridge over the Hooghly River.

In the year 1862, the feasibility of building a bridge was first scrutinised by the Governor of Bengal who asked the then chief engineer of the East Indian Railway Company, George Turnbull, to conduct a study.  The initial plans proposed suggested building several other types of bridges. Some even suggested a tunnel to connect the two cities. This was soon after the establishment of the Howrah Station, and a bridge would significantly increase Calcutta’s connectivity with the rest of the country.

Turnbull, however, concluded that building a bridge at Calcutta would require considerably more effort and money and was not feasible. He suggested that a suspended-girder bridge is constructed about 12 miles north of Calcutta. Ultimately, nothing came of out this study, but the seeds had been sown for the eventual creation of the Howrah Bridge.

Science City

One of its kind in India, the Science city was inaugurated on 1st July 1997. It is a major attraction for the residents of Kolkata as well as for the people visiting Kolkata. It is one of the finest and the largest science museums in the world and provides a fun way of learning science. Under the National Council of Science Museums, the Science City in Kolkata is the largest science centre in the entire Indian Subcontinent. It is a governmental organisation under the Ministry of Culture and the main motto of the Science City was the popularisation of science. It is located at the crossing of the EM Bypass and the JBS Halder Avenue in Kolkata. The science city is a perfect blend of education with fun. There is a special section dedicated to the aquatic world wherein you can learn every minute detail about the various fishes and insects in the aquatic world. Some of the most exotic fishes can be seen in these aquariums. All in all, science city is going to offer you a phenomenal experience with your friends and family and totally make your holiday worth it.

Timing & Entry fee

The Science City in Kolkata remains open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM on all days of the week. (Except holi)

A special discount is offered to groups having more than 50 students in the group.
No extra charges are applicable on photography or videography.

Entry fee per person- INR 50
Space theatre- INR 60
Evolution Park- INR 10
3D theatre- INR 30
Time Machine- INR 20
Road Train- INR 15
Cable Car- INR 30
Mono Cycle- INR 15
Caterpillar- INR 10
Gravity Coaster- INR 30