An Indian friend has invited me to Kolkatta (Calcutta); what places of interest should I visit?

Question

I'm English and my great, great grandmother was born in Dum Dum around 1865.

Answer 1

You may visit following destinations in Kolkata:

Eden Gardens,  Jain temple, Victoria Memorial and the Race Course.

Besides these you may go to:

The New Secretariat, High Court & Legislative Assembly,

Source:

http://www.tsiindia.com/calcutta.html

Answer 2

Dum Dum ...1865 ... your great grandmother ...nice....!!

Then start from Dum Dum..  it even starts from the Kolkata (Netaji Subhas International) Airport.....!!

Visit : Clive House, DumDum

...........Churches in DumDum

............Dum Dum Cantonment area, some old age cannons are there.

.............Dokhineshwar 'Kali Temple' and Balur Math

..............Take a all new a bridge over river "Ganges" en route

Come back to Esplanade, take your accommodation at "The Grand".

Esplanade area :-

The Raj Bhawan - the once capital seat of Indian rulers  from Britain.

The Museum

The Victoria Memorial .. with exhibitions

New Market or Hog market

The memorial of Job Charnok and Strand Rd area

The great "Botanical Garden" at Sibpur - Howrah where a banyan tree for 300 yrs old is there.

Another day :-

Visit : Kali Temple of Kali-ghat - 350 yrs

...........Bandel Church of 250 yrs at Bandel, Hoogly

visit the neighbourhood of Esplanade, for books :- College St. For ornaments : Bowbazar For coffee : Coffee House

Note : A self-styled guide for this city is here WBinsider, who is a Manager with a Bank in this great city. Write to him :

[e-mail]

Answer 3

there r many exciting and charming places/spots to visit/enjoy in kolkata.....some of those r Victoria memorial,birla planatorium,aquyatica,eden garden,science city,nicco park,alipore zoo,national park,rabindra sadan,eliot park,jadavpur university,calcutta university,presidency college,south city,city center etc many more.

Answer 4

You might want to check this site -- has decent varied info. Places to see, Special Attractions, Kolkata Cuisine --see particularly Bengali Cuisine, Festivals, especially Durga Puja..etc.

http://www.indfy.com/kolkata/

A realistic note without being a dampener -- Kolkata for all its abundant history with the British and related historical buildings, delightful confectionaries... is also a different kind of city even in comparison to others in India. There is a starkly rampant underprivileged class that survives along with the others -so differences might seem extreme and perturbing. I personally love the place though -- is a pretty safe city compared to Delhi, people are generally earthy, practical and really friendly without airs -- you might run into intellectuals and well-read persons at Book Sellers Row and Coffee/Chai shops, locals are really helpful and kind. If you get to visit the Lake Market area -Gariahat, you will see an abundance of the freshest beautiful looking produce coming from a very green farming state --- most grown naturally, organically, with flower stalls displaying the famed fragrant tuberoses, Rajnigandha, Malli and other gorgeous tropical blooms twisted into wreaths, leis, hair pieces and all sorts of decorations for indoor, outdoor, wedding use. If lucky, you might even get a chance to watch the artisans build gorgeous flower displays with simple natural things like reed, dry grass, bamboo, leaves and  twine... they are very talented. Around the corner opposite Lake Market is a simple unimposing sweets shop called Gauranga? Mistan Bhandar (just ask for  Bhallo Mishtir Dokan ( good sweets shop) ) that will give you an authentic taste of the unique and delectable Singhara/Singhada -- the Bengali version of the ubiquitous samosa -- made hot, fresh around 4 pm daily and all gone in a couple of hours. A truly must have !! for your experience in Calcutta. A liitle spicy perhaps for the plain palate but can quickly be followed by any of the sweets -- try their spongy, juicy rosogollas. You will  live to tell the tale. :-)

Answer 5

Visit http://www.wbtourism.com/kolkata/index.h...

Places of Interest:

The Ganges (called the Hooghly in Kolkata) is still the inspiration, as it was to Job Charnok, East India Company agent, who reached the shores in August 1690, after which the city started growing. Kolkata, after London, was the British Empire’s second city.

Kolkata, on-the-Hooghly, retains the aura of days long gone, weaving the past and the present, the intense and the funloving into a charming fabric.

Home to four Nobel laureates – Ronald Ross, Rabindranath Tagore, Mother Teresa and Amartya Sen, Kolkata is the nerve centre of intellect and human values, where many modern movements began in art, cinema and theatre, science and industry. India’s quest for freedom began here.

Kolkata is the gateway to Eastern India. A city with a rich heritage, bustling streets and bewildering variety of facets. From October to March, Kolkata wears a radiant look. Sunshine, mild winter, lights, colours, fairs, festivals, galas and excursions, the mood is infectious and spirit sweeping.

More at the website

Answer 6

I guess it is a visit to excavate the family's past.

You drop in Calcutta, and let me know about your interests. I'm from Calcutta. It is a great city with a great colonial legacy. Feel free to write to [e-mail] to tell about your priorities and I'll tell you.

if you do it umbrella type, seeing all, you cannot complete seeing Calcutta in a lifetime.

Answer 7

It depends upon your interest , how many days you want to travel and how far.Then only I can reply properly.

Answer 8

places to see are platenarium,Bada bazaar for goods sold atcheap rates,and of course dont miss K C DAS rasgulla shop, tasty sweets

Answer 9

Dakshineswar Kali Tample.