atulaMetros of India - Kolkatta
November 14th 2008 07:06
India is a rapidly developing country and as the country discovers a new modern, techno savvy image everyday, the cities too get reincarnated into a bustling modern town. At a time like this, I thought I’d let you know of the four grand old pillars of India, the cities that keep on metamorphosing with the changing times.
After Delhi, is Kolkatta’s turn today.This city, the state capital of West Bengal and the largest cities of eastern India is a perfect blend of contrasts. Somewhere you will find Victorian architecture, somewhere typical Indian village type homes, somewhere modern trouser or skirt clad girls, somewhere a traditional Indian Bengali women with sari, vermilion and a big bindi on her forehead. Here you will find slums, traffic, and heat. But also find serenity, beautiful river side walkways, and most comfortable hotels in the world.
As one enters the city of Kolkata,the impressive Howrah Bridge across the Hooghly river,a huge cantilever structure,supported by two 270 feet high piers,greets the eye. Forming the green heart of the city is the great stretch of lawns called the Maidan, fringed on one side by the river,and on the other by an elegant boulevard,the Chowringhee. The Maidan is the venue for an assortment of events,ranging from football matches to political rallies. The grounds are also aptly,referred to as the 'lungs of the city.'
Surrounding the lawns are a number of famous landmarks. At the southern end is the Victoria Memorial,an imposing white marble edifice,a museum housing the relics of the British Empire . The Memorial which took 15 years to build,also has an Art Gallery within. At the northern end is the Ochterlony Monument,a 48 metre high column,now known as the Shahid Minar. Just adjacent to it,are the Eden Gardens,with a picturesque lake and a quaint Burmese pagoda. The world - renown Eden Gardens Stadium is also located in this area. The Birla Planetarium,one of the largest in the world,is placed at the southern end of the vast Maidan,alongwith the Zoological Gardens.
The many museums in the city,pay testimony to the cultural richness of India's heritage. The Indian Museum,one of the largest of its kind in India,housing relics of ancient civilizations,and an art gallery is located in Chowringhee.The Academy of Fine Arts,Nehru Childrens Museum,Netaji Museum,Birla Academy of Art and Culture,Birla Industrial and Technological Museum,Rabindra Bharati Museum and the Ashutosh Museum of Indian Art are some of the museums that contain invaluable and rare objects d' art.
Kolkata also has shrines and sites of worship belonging to all faiths. The Armenian Church (1650),at Brabourne Road,is one of the oldest churches in the city. The massive Nakhoda Mosque or Rabindra Sarani,modelled after Akbar's mausoleum in Sikandra,is said to accomodate 10,000 people at a time. 10 kms from the city is Belur Math,the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission which propagates the neo-Vedantic movement. It has been built to resemble a temple,a church and mosque.
Places Around Calcutta :
Located 8 kms from Kolkata on the west bank of Ganga are the famous Botanical Gardens.The highlight of the Gardens is the 200 year old banyan tree,said to be the largest in the world.The tree is 26 metres high with a circumference of approximately 900 feet. The world's largest estuarine forest in the world,the Sunderbans,the habitat of the Royal Bengal Tiger,which also houses the estuarine crocodile,wild boar and several varieties of birds and snakes,is within easy reach of Kolkata. This famous Project Tiger Reserve can be approached only via the waterways.
185 km south east of Kolkata is Digha,a popular beach resort with a 6 km long beach,said to be one of the widest in the world. The other popular beach resort of West Bengal,Bakkhali,lies 132 km from the city. 48 km south of Kolkata is the beautiful Diamond Harbour,at the mouth of the Hooghly,an ideal picnic spot. 12 km from the city centre,on the banks of the Ganga,is the magnificent Dakshineswar Temple,dedicated to Goddess Kali . 136 km from the city is the one - of - its - kind university of Shantiniketan,the brainchild of the revered Rabindranath Tagore. Started as an experimental open air classroom,this university has emerged as a universal centre of knowledge and academic excellence,for students and scholars alike.
After Delhi, is Kolkatta’s turn today.This city, the state capital of West Bengal and the largest cities of eastern India is a perfect blend of contrasts. Somewhere you will find Victorian architecture, somewhere typical Indian village type homes, somewhere modern trouser or skirt clad girls, somewhere a traditional Indian Bengali women with sari, vermilion and a big bindi on her forehead. Here you will find slums, traffic, and heat. But also find serenity, beautiful river side walkways, and most comfortable hotels in the world.
Howrah Bridge
As one enters the city of Kolkata,the impressive Howrah Bridge across the Hooghly river,a huge cantilever structure,supported by two 270 feet high piers,greets the eye. Forming the green heart of the city is the great stretch of lawns called the Maidan, fringed on one side by the river,and on the other by an elegant boulevard,the Chowringhee. The Maidan is the venue for an assortment of events,ranging from football matches to political rallies. The grounds are also aptly,referred to as the 'lungs of the city.'
victoria memorial
The many museums in the city,pay testimony to the cultural richness of India's heritage. The Indian Museum,one of the largest of its kind in India,housing relics of ancient civilizations,and an art gallery is located in Chowringhee.The Academy of Fine Arts,Nehru Childrens Museum,Netaji Museum,Birla Academy of Art and Culture,Birla Industrial and Technological Museum,Rabindra Bharati Museum and the Ashutosh Museum of Indian Art are some of the museums that contain invaluable and rare objects d' art.
Kolkata also has shrines and sites of worship belonging to all faiths. The Armenian Church (1650),at Brabourne Road,is one of the oldest churches in the city. The massive Nakhoda Mosque or Rabindra Sarani,modelled after Akbar's mausoleum in Sikandra,is said to accomodate 10,000 people at a time. 10 kms from the city is Belur Math,the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission which propagates the neo-Vedantic movement. It has been built to resemble a temple,a church and mosque.
kali ghat
Places Around Calcutta :
Located 8 kms from Kolkata on the west bank of Ganga are the famous Botanical Gardens.The highlight of the Gardens is the 200 year old banyan tree,said to be the largest in the world.The tree is 26 metres high with a circumference of approximately 900 feet. The world's largest estuarine forest in the world,the Sunderbans,the habitat of the Royal Bengal Tiger,which also houses the estuarine crocodile,wild boar and several varieties of birds and snakes,is within easy reach of Kolkata. This famous Project Tiger Reserve can be approached only via the waterways.
185 km south east of Kolkata is Digha,a popular beach resort with a 6 km long beach,said to be one of the widest in the world. The other popular beach resort of West Bengal,Bakkhali,lies 132 km from the city. 48 km south of Kolkata is the beautiful Diamond Harbour,at the mouth of the Hooghly,an ideal picnic spot. 12 km from the city centre,on the banks of the Ganga,is the magnificent Dakshineswar Temple,dedicated to Goddess Kali . 136 km from the city is the one - of - its - kind university of Shantiniketan,the brainchild of the revered Rabindranath Tagore. Started as an experimental open air classroom,this university has emerged as a universal centre of knowledge and academic excellence,for students and scholars alike.
| 83 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
