When to go, what to see, and what to eat in West Bengal’s cosmopolitan capital.
Kolkata—in eastern India, capital of the state of West Bengal—is one of India’s younger cities. As a port city and capital of British India from 1772 to 1911, then known as Calcutta.
Although the city's name has always been pronounced Kolkata or Kôlikata in Bengali, the anglicised form Calcutta was the official name until 2001, when it was changed to Kolkata in order to match Bengali pronunciation.
Who Founded calcutta?
A Brief History Of Calcutta
1690 August, Job Charnok, an agent of East India Company (established 1600) settles in Calcutta. 1698 East India Co. bought three villages (Sutanuti, Kolkata, Gobindapur ) from local landlord Sabarna Chowdhury. 1699 East India Company started developing Calcutta as a Presidency city.
How many cities are in Kolkata?
The urban agglomeration encompassed 72 cities and 527 towns and villages, as of 2006. Suburban areas in the Kolkata metropolitan area incorporate parts of the following districts: North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly and Nadia.
What is Kolkata famous for?
Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is the educational, commercial and cultural centre of the Eastern part of India, and is the third most populous metropolitan city of India. Kolkata is a pioneer in the field of drama, arts, theatre and literature with several nobel laureates contributing to the Kolkata culture.
Why kolkata is called city of joy?
The city has earned the nickname 'city of joy' for its soulful embodiment of culture, love, mystery, respect, enthusiasm and definitely some amazing sweet delicacies.
Visit in winter… The weather is best during northern India’s dry winter (December-February), when temperatures are around the high 13°C the day and the 10°C at night.Bring layers for the early morning and be prepared to shed them by midday. But be warned that in winter, without the rain, and with farmers burning their fields to prepare for the next crop, the air quality (which is already pretty bad) drops considerably across northern India, Kolkata included. Bring a mask.
ABOUT DURGA PUJA IN KOLKATA...…… Durga puja in KOLKATA is one of the biggest Indian Festivals, attracting huge Crowds who delight in pandal hopping - The favourite activity at the festival. Durga puja, Known locally as pujo, literally takes over the city of Kolkata
( formerly Calcutta) for five days each fall. Some say there are upwards of 4,000 Durga puja pandals scattered throughout Kolkata, and attendance by millions of people. The Durga puja festivals is the event that people of Kolkata - and all Bengalis - look forwards to all year long.
It's a festive time of year for kolkatans of all classes and there's now even a Campaign to include transgender woman and widows, two groups that have traditionally excluded from the festivities of the Sindoor khela, when woman apply sindoor to each other's faces on the final day. The timing varies from year to year, but Durga puja usually lands sometime between September and December.
The goddess Durga is important to Bengalis,
and the festival dedicated to her marks a
high point in the Bengali cultural Calender.
Kolkata, India, is largely inhabited by the ethnic community of the native Bengali people respectively.The Kolkata City had a population of 4.5 million as of 2011 out of which the population of Bengali people in Kolkata is 62% which comprised the majority of the city's population, Whereas ethnic groups like Marwaris, Muslims, and Biharis together forming 34.4% of the population which comes under the category of large minorities. other various micro-minority communities of Kolkata include as far as concerned follows;- Sindhi people. Pathan people, Marathi people, Odia people, Gujrati people, Kashmiri people, Punjabi people, Nepalis, Telugus, Tamil, Anglo-Indian, Iraqis, Jewish, Armenian, Tibetan, Greek, Parsi, and Iraqi people.
Local often communicate in a mixture of Bengali and Hindi, and the city has drawn so many migrants from Hindi-speaking areas that even basic, pocket translator-powered Hindi can be useful.
Know Your neighborhoods. Bengalis call the city's neighborhoods paras, and in many ways they're still the organizational unit of the city, dating back to when the British first set up a trading post in 1690 among in caste a series of villages. paras were sometimes rooted in caste - for example, Kumartuli for potters, Muchipara for cobblers. Some neighborhoods, such as Kumartuli are still home to the business that gave them their name.
Neighborhoods paras
See art being made in Kumartuli. Kumortuli is the present day potters colony in the city of Kolkata, which is famous for its idol making. The place was part of the sutanuti village and gained prominenence during the British Rule. This neighborhood, a network of alleys in north Kolkata, is home to many potters and sculptors who craft idols, religious and secular - everything from the goddess Durga to leaders of India's independence movement. Many of the statues are based on armatures made of straw that are then coated in clay, or armatures made out fiberglass. it happens right out in the open for everyone to see, and you'll see the work at every stage of the process.
Many of the idols that fill Kolkata's temples are
made in kumartuli
Go book - hunting. The area around college is in north Kolkata that approximately stretches from Bowbazar to Mahatma Gandhi Road crossing. Various centres of intellectual activity are situated in this place. The book market of college street is largest book market of India and the largest Second-hand book market of the World. This market is traditionally known as Boi Para. Almost any rare or new book can be found at this place, at very economical prices. The place is the famous landmark of India and houses a number of Bengali publication industry. Apart from being famous for its collection of books, college street is also known for being visited by the eminent literati of the city.
street book shop of college street
Kolkata's Indian Coffee House is a nostalgic of 'Adda' for not only the students around but also the office goers and intellectuals of Kolkata. The Indian coffee house in Kolkata was renovated in 2009. with paintings and portraits of great bong leaders like Rabindranathi
Tagore, the adda has its own old world charm that is unmatched to that of any other place in "Calcutta". coffee house is a perfect place for ''Adda'', and has played an important part in Kolkata cultural history right from its inception. Discussion here range from campus
study plans, politics, Business, sports, flims, music, and almost anything under the sun. There is a very popular and nostalgic Bengali song by Manna Dey that is dedicated to the Adda culture of Coffee House...… ''Coffee House-er shei addata aaj aar nei, aaj aar nei…….
Historical places in kolkata.......... Renowned as the '' City of Joy, Kolkata has no dearth of the remnants from the time of British Raj that were all about architecture. known for its culture, people, food, and music, the city is also rich in its historical heritage. And to witness the charm of its historical heritage. And to witnessthe charmof its architectural grandeur, head of these historical places in Kolkata that also from an essential part of the city's tourism. Historical places in Kolkata...….
VICTORIA MEMORIAL ;- One of the most popular tourist attractions, Victoria Memorial is one of the famous historical places in Kolkata city. Established in 1906 by the Prince of Wales, its was built in the memory of Queen Victoria. Victoria memorial hall is a historical place and one of the finest art museums in Kolkata.
DAKSHINESWAR KALI TEMPLE;- Dakshineswar Kali Temple is another one of the famous places. Located on the eastern banks of the Hooghly River, it is dedicated to the reincarnation of Goddes Kali, Bhavatarani. First opened in 1847, the temple was founded by Rani Rashmoni, a well-known pillar of feminine strength in the mid-nineteenth century.
FORT WILLIAM;- Fort William is yet another historical place in Kolkata city located on the eastern bank of Hooghly River. The most prominent feature of Fort William lies in it octagonal shape, which make it face the River Ganga from three sides. The huge arcade is known as Plassey Gate and there are six entry points in the fort namely- Chowringhee, Plassey Calcutta, Water Gate, st. Georges and the Treasury Gate. Visit Fort William and explore what this Historical monument has to offer.
WRITER'S BUILDING;- The process of contruction initiated as early as in 1690 and the name of the building was adopted from the fact that it was the residence of the junior writers of the East India Company. This Historical building is also popularly known as 'Mohakaran', where all vital documents and other records of the West Bengal Government are carefully archived
MARBLE PALACE;- The name Marble palace speaks for itself, depicting its rich architecture. it one of the best historical palaces to visit in Kolkata. Marble palace is a palatial nineteenth-century mansion in North Kolkata. The Mansion is famous for its marble walls, floor, and sculptures. its one of the best preserved and most elegant houses of nineteenth-century Calcutta.
INDIAN MUSEUM;- Established in 1814, Calcutta Indian museum is known as one of the oldest museums in Asia. Located at Chowringhee on the Jawaharlal Nehru Road, the Indian Museum of Kolkata gives you a glimpse of India's diverse culture and glorious past. Also popularly known as 'Jadughar' Which means house of magic, you can also marvel at the fossils, coins, gandhara arts, and unique stones etc.
HOWRAH BRIDGE;- Howrah Bridge, also known as Rabindra Setu, Spans over the mighty Hooghly River in Kolkata. Built during the British Rule. The bridge is 705 metres in length and is the busiest cantilever bridge in the world, Which sees more than 150,000 pedestrians and 100,000 vehicles every day. 
TOWN HALL;- Town Hall is one of the most important heritage building of Kolkata. with its majestic architecture, this monumental hall holds great historical importance. it has witnessed some of the most important meetings and gatherings during the British rule.
TAGORE'S HOUSE;- Famously Known as the 'Jorasanko Thakur Bari', Rabindranath Tagore's house is one of the most important historical places in Kolkata city. Located in Girish park, Chittaranjan Avenue. This place used to be the former residence of India's most renowned literary legend, Rabindranath Tagore. At present, his house is maintained and run by Rabindra University and the place is now converted and transformed into a museum which houses a photo gallery, paintings, and most of Tagore's brilliant literary work.
NIZAM PALACE;- Nizam palace is another historical place to visit in Kolkata. Formerly known as ''Galstaun park'', it is a heritage building in Kolkata which was Constructed during the early nineteenth century. King Edward VIII also visited this palace. it was used as a hospital during the world war. it is believed that J.C Galstaun - (1859-1947) constructed this mansion as a tribute to his dear wife and named it ''Galstaun park'' later in the year 1933.
SHAHEED MINAR;- Shaheed Minar was built in 1828 to Commemorate the victory of Major-General sir David Ochterlony, the commamder of the East India company who led the armed forces to victory against the Marathas in 1804 and the Gurkhas in the Anglo-Nepalese War. One of the most inspiring historical places in Kolkata, The base of the monument was built in the Egyptian architectural style and the column is purely based on Syrian architecture while the dome resembles Turkish structural design.
BOTANICAL GARDENS;- Popularly known as the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden,it has up to 1200 species of different plants which are spread across 109 hectares of land. An 18th century botanical garden, it is also famed for the large banyan tree it houses, which forms the largest canopy in the world. There are half a million dried plant specimens from various parts of the world and rare trees here. There is also an orchid house which includes both rare and common orchid types. Ranging from mango tree to mahogany tree, you can find a wide variety of tree here. This is a must visit place for anyone who loves being close to nature.
EDEN GARDENS;- The Eden Gardens is famed to be the oldest stadium in India. Designed during 1841, 'the name Eden Gardens' was chosen after the name of an old park. It is in 1864 that the stadium got recognised as the First Cricket Stadium of india, set up by the British. Also one of the biggest stadiums in the country, which can accommodate up to 80,000 people at a time, it is definitely one of the best historical places to visit in Kolkata.
BIRLA TEMPLE:- Birla Mandir is a temple dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narayan. The cornerstone was established in 1970 and it took 26 year to complete this marvellous marble monument dedicated to the Gods. It also one of the finest temples in Kolkata. A complete white marble structure, the main sanctum sanatorium is around 160 feet in the middle. intricate carvings and gorgeous lamps and chandeliers add to the appeal of this temple. Go pay a visit to the Birla Mandir and experience a beautifully spiritual environment.
BIRLA PLANETARIUM:- The Birla Planetarium has earned the reputation for being the largest planetarium in Asia and the second largest planetarium in the world. It has deep historical significance. The planetarium was inaugurated in the year1963 by Jawaharlal Nehru. there is an electronics laboratory for design and fabrications, a huge astronomy gallery that is home to a collection of fine paintings and celestial models designed by famous astronomers. the planetarium also hosts daily programs on scientific and relevant life skill related topics in the various Indian languages. 
ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL;- St. paul Church is popularly known as the first Episcopal Church of the Eastern World. one of the most historical places in Kolkata , It stands 247 feet tall, 81 feet wide and 114 feet long. The building was completed in 1847 and it is the seat of the Diocese in Kolkata. It is beautifully lit and decorated during Christmas and sees countless visitors. The church has expansive grounds and is surely one of the historical places in Kolkata city that you cannot miss.
PRINCEP GHAT:- Kolkata is a city full of unexcepted sunrises and we present to you one of the most interesting historical places in Kolkata, the Princep Ghat. It is considered as one of the oldest vacation spots in Kolkata. It is named after James Princep who was an Anglo-Indian researcher and scholar. Princep Ghat is Located on the bank of Hooghly River, surrounded by beautiful gardens, lawns, park benches and trees. If you are a nature lover, you are going to fall in love all over again here.
BALUR MATH:- Belur Math is one of the architectural wonder of India which represents the idea of Universal Faith. Kolkata sits on the banks of the Hooghly River, a tributary of the Ganges, just north of the Bay of Bengal. Founded by Swami Vivekananda, a 19th-century Hindu reformer. The architecture is a mix of Hindu, Islamic, and Western styles, reflecting its founder's belief in the unity of all faiths. It makes for a peaceful respite.
Kolkata.. The name itself culture of a different kind, Which this city so proudly enthralls. Indian city can complete with and when it comes to food, the magic only amplifier to another level! From snacks to sweet dishes. Here are things you should definitely eat when you're in Kolkata. Roshogolla, Sondesh, Kosha Mangsho, Chicken kabiraji, Tibetan Food, Mughlai Parotha, Kochuri-Torkari-Jilebi , Phuchka , Ghugni , Telebhaja, Kathi Rolls, Kolkata Biriyani, Pitha , Jhalmuri, Misti Doi , Kulfi.
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