On traveling to Kolkata, one would encounter a city with a curious mixture of colonial past, contemporary cultural vibrancy and political expression. According to legend, when Siva's wife's corpse was cut up, one of her fingers fell at the site of what is now the Kali Temple at Kalighat. It is the name of this temple that the Britishers gave the place and Calcutta is nothing but the anglicized form of Kalikata.

West Bengal is one of the first destinations in a tourist's itinerary visiting the eastern part of the country. One will find many tourist attractions in Kolkata with a medley of occidental and oriental architecture and style.The Victoria Memorial, built in memory of
Queen Victoria of England is one of India's most beautiful monuments, representing a unique combination of classical European architecture and Mughal motifs. Howrah Bridge is another landmark that denotes the city of Kolkata.This hanging bridge is an engineering marvel. It is the third largest bridge in the world and has around 2 million people crossing over it daily. Shantiniketan, Tagore's university township is a must see place for anyone visiting Kolkata.Besides the other festivals of the Hindu solar calendar, Durga Puja is the one that gains ultimate importance and attention in West Bengal and is a joyous time to visit this city. Excursions from Kolkata can take one to the Sunder bans is the largest estuarine delta in the world and the biggest colony of the Royal Bengal Tigers. To enjoy the pristine beauty of nature one should take a trip to the hill stations of Darjeeling or Kurseong. Shopping in Kolkata is an interesting experience. Kolkata can be described as a 'shopping paradise' for those who want the value for their money. There are many markets spread all over the city like New Market, Park Street, and Chowringhee Road where you get anything from 'cucumbers' to 'cargos' and from 'shoe-strings to 'sarees'.

Kolkata is the nerve center of trade and industry in eastern India and a business center of international importance. It remains the 'city of joy' despite all the developmental problems of a crowded metropolitan city.


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TRAVEL TO KOLKATA  |  HOW TO REACH KOLKATA |  TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN KOLKATA |  HOTELS IN KOLKATA  |  SHOPPING IN KOLKATA  |  Anandabazar Patrika