Kolkata, often associated with poverty, is commonly overlooked by tourists when visiting India. However, this friendly, intellectual and vibrant city has reinvented itself. It's full of history and culture, with many faded remnants of the British Raj. Kolkata is a city that requires immersion rather than quick sightseeing to really get a feel for, and appreciate, it. Start with these compelling places to visit in Kolkata.
1. Park Street
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. This iconic street was home to India's first independent nightclub and has been the center of Kolkata's nightlife since the glory days of the swinging 60s when venues overflowed with jazz, cabaret, and floor shows. Head to Mocambo, Moulin Rouge, Blue Fox and Trinca’s for a rush of nostalgia.
- Location: Starts from Chowringhee Road to Park Circus.
2. New Market
One of the top places to go shopping in Kolkata, New Market is an historic bargain hunter's paradise. 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.
- Location: Lindsay Street, just off Chowringhee Road.
- When to Go: Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday, until 2.30 p.m. Closed on Sunday.
3. Victoria Memorial
Victoria Memorial is an imposing white building that was completed in 1921 and currently serves as a museum. Named after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, it houses a collection from the British Colonial period, including a number of impressive paintings, sculptures, and books. A sound and light show is held there in the evenings. It details the 300 year Raj era from the arrival of the British in Kolkata to the day of Independence.
- Location: The southern end of the Maidan.
- When to Go: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- Cost: Indians, 20 rupees. Foreigners, 200 rupees.
4. Mullik Ghat Flower Market
The colorful 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.
- Location: Along Strand Road, starting from below Howrah Bridge on the Kolkata side.
- When to Go: From sunrise until sunset.
5. Howrah Bridge
Opened to traffic in 1943, the Howrah Bridge (officially called Rabindra Setu, after renowned Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore) crosses the Hooghly River to link Kolkata with its twin city of Howrah on the other side. The bridge has a single span without any pylons connecting it to the river bed, and it's one of the longest bridges of its type in the world. Approximately 150,000 vehicles and 4,000,000 pedestrians use the bridge each day. To get a feel for why it's said to be the busiest bridge in the world, you really must walk across it!
- Location: Just north of BBD Bagh (formerly known as Dalhousie Square) central business district.
6. Mother Teresa's Mother House
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. It displays items such as her handwritten letters, spiritual exhortations, and personal belongings including saris, sandals, and crucifix. The Mother House is a place of silence and contemplation. Many people choose to meditate there while visiting because of its serene, uplifting energy.
- Location: 54A, A.J.C. Bose Road.
- Open: 8 a.m. until midday and 3 p.m. until 6 p.m., daily except Thursday. Also closed on August 22, Easter Monday, and December 26.
7. Dakshineshwar Kali Temple
This old and very popular Hindu temple, dedicated to Bhavatarini ("savior of the universe", an aspect of Goddess Kali), was founded in 1855 by Rani Rashmoni. Widowed at a young age, she very successfully took over her wealthy husband's zamindar (land ownership) business. Apparently, the idea to establish the temple came to her in a dream before a pilgrimage to Varanasi. The temple was made famous by spiritual leader Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who was appointed as its chief priest.
- Location: Rani Rashmoni Road, May Dibas Pally, Dakshineshwar, northern outskirts of Kolkata on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River.
- Open: October to March, daily from 6.30 a.m. until noon and 3 p.m. until 8.30 p.m. April to September, daily from 6 a.m until 12.30 p.m and 3:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.
8. Belur Math
From the riverbank of Dakshineshwar Kali Temple, take a boat 20 minutes down river to Belur Math. This peaceful leafy complex, set on 40 acres of land, is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda (a chief disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa). The main shrine, dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna, has unique and distinctive architecture that combines Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and Islamic styles. It's worth experiencing the evening aarti ceremony, which beings at sunset. Unfortunately, photography isn't allowed on the premises.
- Location: Belur Road, Howrah, on the western bank of the Hooghly River.(Approximately an hour from the Kolkata city center).
- Open: October to March, daily from 6.30 a.m. until 11.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. until 6 p.m. April to September, daily from 6 a.m until 11.30 p.m and 4 p.m until 7 p.m.
9. Kumartuli
The settlement of Kumartuli, meaning "potter locality" (Kumar = potter. Tuli = 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.
- Location: Banamali Sarkar Street, north Kolkata. The nearest railway station is the Sovabazar Metro.
- When to Go: Most of the idol making happens from June to January, with the biggest occasion being Durga Puja. There's usually a frenzy of activity around 20 days before the Durga Puja festival begins, in order to get all the work finished.
10. South Park Cemetery
Established in 1767, this poignant grand old British cemetery was used up until 1830 and is now a protected heritage site. Overgrown and disheveled, its tombs are an elaborate mix of Gothic and Indo-Saracenic design, and contain the bodies of many remarkable men and women from the Raj era. It's interesting to spend some time wandering around and reading the stories of their lives on the headstones. One of the people buried there is English trader Job Charnock, who was regarded as the founder of Kolkata (Calcutta).
- Location: Park Street, at the intersection of Rawdon Street.
- Open: Daily, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- Cost: Free but you'll be asked to pay a donation.
11. Kalighat Kali Temple
Recommended only for those who are ready for surrounding poverty, surging crowds, filth and pandemonium (otherwise visit Dakshineshwar Kali Temple as an alternative), the temple at Kalighat is dedicated to the fearsome patron goddess of Kolkata -- Kali, the dark mother -- and is integral to the city. 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. Prepare to be approached by pushy temple priests who will try and extract as much money as possible from you.
- Location: South Kolkata. Kali Mandir Road, near Rash Behari Avenue. There is a Kalighat Metro train station.
- Open: 5 a.m until 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. until 10 p.m.
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