Kalighat Temple
Built in 1809, this shrine dedicated to
the goddess Kali, is a great centre of Hindu pilgrimage. The
curved double canopy roof of the temple is typical of medieval
Bengal Hindu architecture.
Belur Math
The Headquarters of the International Ramakrishna
Mission was built in 1899. This mission was founded in 1897
by Vivekanand following the death of his guru Sri Ramkrishna
Paramhansa in 1886. The Belur Math, a modern shrine resembles
a temple, a mosque, and a church seen from different directions
and symbolizes the message that all religious faith are essential
one.
Dakshineswar Ka1i
Temple
20 km. north of the city and across the
river Hooghly, opposite Belur Math, stands this Kali temple
built in 1847. Associated with Sri Ramkrishna Paramhansa, its
main shrine houses the image of Goddess Kali the chosen deity
of the Paramhansa standing on Prostrate Shiva.
Howrah Bridge
This amazing centilever bridge across the
Hooghly, was erected in 1941. This 457 meter tensile steel structure
is a great landmark, which dominates the whole landscape here.
It is now called the Rabindra Setu. It is estimated that over
2 million people use it every day.
Other interesting places of Calcutta include Birla Industrial
and Technological Museum, Ashutosh Museum, Academy of Fine Arts,
Children’s Museum, Asiatic Society, Eden Gardens, St.
Paul’s Cathedral, St. John’s Cathedral, Armenian
Church of Holy Nazareth and the Parsi Fire Temple.
Calcutta is a shopping paradise for those interested in buying
terracotta folk sculptures, articles made of sponge wood, handloom
cotton and silk saris, bamboo and cane ware, muga silk, etc.The
main shopping areas are New Market, Gariahat, Shyam Bazar, Bara
Bazar, areas around the lake. Harisoii Road and the Bengal Govt.
Sales Emporium located at various places 01 the city. Calcutta
is well connected with most of the major towns of the country
as also with the big cities of the world. For North Eastern
States, Darjecling. Port Blair and Andaman Islands; this is
the main airport. It has two big stations Howrah and Sealdah.
Local transport includes trams, buses, taxis, man-drawn rickshaw
and the underground Metro. Sight seeing tours are operated by
ITDC and the State Tourist Bureau. There is a plethora of good
hotel, rest houses, tourist bungalows, many Govt. and private
hostels, etc. There are three 5 star hotels and many other standard
hotels.
Excursions include trip to Diamond Harbour—the entry point
of the Hoogly into the sea, Bansberia—famous for temples,
Chandernagar—an erstwhile French Colony; Vishnupur—the
Cradle of Bengali Culture and Santiniketan— the University
founded by the Noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagore (163 kms.
away).
Murshidabad
Once the Capital of Bengal. Murshidabad
is 219 km. north of Calcutta, had been connected intimately
with the events which shaped the course of Indian history. Nawab
Siraj-ud Daula, the ruler, was defeated at plassey by the British
forces led by Clive, the architect of the British Empire in
India. Murshidabad has a number of interesting historical places
including the Hazardurari Palace, the Jafargani Deorhi, the
Moti Jhil, Khushagh. This old town is also larnous for its silks,
ivor) carvings, hrassware and other traditional handicrafts.
Enroute Murshidahad is Plassey, 172, km. north of Calcutta where
in 1757 Siraj-ud-Daula was defeated by Lord Clive. Nabdwip,
the famous town associated with legendary religious reformer
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprahu (1486-1527), is 114 km. north of Calcutta.
Near Murshidahad along the route to Daijeeling is English Bazaar,
well known for its ancient remains and ruins.
Darjeeling
Temperature: Summer 8°C to 15°
C. Winter l.5° C to 6°C. Altitude: 2,130 meters
Best Season: April-June and Sept.-Nov.
About 651 km. north of Calcutta, Darjeeling, the only hill station
of Bengal, is surrounded by sprawling tea plantation. With majestic
Kanchanjunga. the real king of the mountains, is an ideal place
for holidaying, trekking, hiking and long pleasant walks, The
toy train journey from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling is a real
fun to enjoy. The mini train loops and switch-backs so fascinatingly
in its journey up the wooded mountains that one feels amply
rewarded. It is well over 100 ears old and took about three
years to complete at a cost of Rs. 421 lakhs. Darjeeling can
boast of the highest station in the world at Ghoom. Darjeeling
was founded by Lord Napier of Royal Engineers. The British annexing
it from Gurkhas of Bhutan developed it. This is also the centre
of the multitudes of Tea Gardens sprawling all round. There
are good hotels for the visitors at the Chowrasta and the Nehru
Road. The places of tourist interest are: Tiger Hill (11 km.
away, famous for fascinating view of the dawn), Senchal Lake
(also a golf course nearby), Ghoom Monastery (having 15 feet
high giant image of Maitreya or of the Coming Buddha), Lloyd
Botanical Garden, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Zoological
park; Passenger Ropeway (India’s first ropeway, and 5
km. long) and of course the various Tea Plantations. Bagdogra
is the nearest airport to Darjeeling and there regular flights
to Bagdogra from Calcutta, Delhi and Patna. By coming from train,
one has to come to New Jalpaigurj and then take the famous train
to arrive at Darjeeling. The place is also popular for trekking.
