Kolkata
Kolkata (Calcutta) is a city often overlooked by tourists when visiting India, yet we think you will find it to be one of the most authentic and fascinating places you’ll experience.
India’s second largest city, also known as the City of Joy, Kolkata has been described as a daily festival of human existence. Scratch beneath the surface and you’ll definitely experience ‘real’ India at the fascinating wholesale flower and vegetable markets, the atmospheric holy Hooghly ghats and the pottery making district at Kumartuli.
As the former capital of British India, Kolkata retains a feast of colonial-era architecture including the impressive Victoria Memorial and ornate Writers Building. There’s plenty of history to explore too – visit St. John’s Church where the future of India was planned in a small annex room.
Locally, Kolkata is regarded as India’s intellectual and cultural capital. Dapper Bengali gentry continue to frequent grand old gentlemen’s clubs, back horses at the Calcutta Racetrack and tee off at some of India’s finest golf courses. Kolkata is also the ideal place to experience the mild, fruity tang of Bengali cuisine.
Highlights
Belur Math
Dakshineswar Kali Temple
Howrah Bridge
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The third-longest cantilever bridge at the time of its construction, the Howrah Bridge is the sixth-longest bridge of its type in the world. Crossing the Hooghly Rover, the iconic bridge connects the city to Howrah Station, the most important railway station of Kolkata.
Indian Museum
Kalighat Temple
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Dedicated to the fearsome patron goddess of Kolkata, Kali. Hidden in a maze of alleyways, the temple is known for its animal (particularly goat) sacrifices, which although outlawed are still performed regularly inside its enclosure to appease the blood-drinking goddess.
Kumartuli
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The settlement of Kumartuli, meaning “potter locality”, is over 300 years old. It was formed by a bunch of potters who came to the area in search of a better livelihood. Nowadays, around 150 families live there, earning a living by sculpting idols for various festivals.
Mother House
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Mother Teresa is highly regarded for founding the Missionaries of Charity and devoting her life to helping ill and outcast people in Kolkata. Visit the Mother House to see her tomb, the bedroom where she lived, and a small museum dedicated to showcasing her life.
Mullik Ghat Flower Market
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The colourful chaos of Kolkata’s flower market presents a fantastic photo opportunity. More than 125 years old, it’s east India’s largest wholesale flower market with thousands of flower sellers visiting it every day. The market is dominated by sacks overflowing with long garlands of marigolds, popularly used in Hindu devotional rituals. Don’t miss it!
New Market
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Kolkata’s oldest and most well-known market, it was built by the British in 1874 . This sprawling maze of more than 2,000 stalls, all grouped together according to the type of goods sold, offers almost everything imaginable.
Park Street
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Possibly Kolkata’s most famous street, Park Street (formally renamed as Mother Teresa Sarani) is renowned for its entertainment, restaurants, and prominent historical landmarks including old colonial mansions.
South Park Cemetery
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Established in 1767, this poignant grand old British cemetery was used up until 1830 and is now a protected heritage site. Overgrown and dishevelled, its tombs are an elaborate mix of Gothic and Indo-Saracenic design, and contain the bodies of many remarkable people from the Raj era.
Victoria Memorial
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This iconic Kolkata landmark was completed in 1921 and was named after Queen Victoria. It is now a museum housing a collection from the British Colonial period. A sound and light show is held there in the evenings.Hotels
Discover the wonderful variety of places to stay in India; including some of the most luxurious hotels in the world, intimate boutique hotels bursting with local character, charming homestays where you’ll have a chance to interact with local families, converted forts & palaces, fabulous lodges and heritage havelis.
Tours
Below are a selection of our favourite sample itineraries that we have created based on our experiences of travelling extensively throughout India. As with all our tours, every aspect can be tailor-made to your individual requirements.
