Kolkata

Situated on the banks of the lovely Hoogly River, the pretty city of Kolkata boast of a graceful culture, rich history and a versatile future. Formerly called as Calcutta, this city is the capital of West Bengal, the cradle of Indian Communist movements. The city is bestowed with so many honors like "Cultural Capital of India", "The city of Processions and "City of Joy".

A city of festivals would be the correct synonym for this gorgeous city. Behind the bejeweled doors of each house, incenses hazes, and gleaming flowers wallop with the greenery to herald a flavor of carousing. The air is perfumed with the delicate smell of vermilion, camphor, ghee, the spiky odor of new-fangled clothes and pungent whiff from the kitchen. Thrilled prattle of voices mixes with the timbre of rituals definitely would provide you a great sense of homely feeling.

To the outside world Kolkata, brings forth the sacred remembrance of Mother Teresa whose selfless and kindhearted services through a new life to thousands. This city would be remembered forever as the birth place of some of the illustrious Indians like Rabindranatha Tagore and Sathyajith Ray.

Kolkata’s long association with the British Raj has been highly rewarded in terms of marvelous Victorian style mansions. These proud testimonials of an elegant past have been conserved as national heritage cites. The Victoria Memorials, The Indian Museum, St Pauls Cathedral, Belvedere Estate, Marble Palace, National Library of India, Jorasanko Thakur Bari, Writers' building, Shaheed Minar and Raj Bhavan the city is bestowed with a plethora of spectacles that gives you an unforgettable holidaying.

Kolkatta presents a friendly attitude to all that is new and that has gained high dividends to this second populous city in India. Industrial icons like Bata India, ITC Limited, Coal India Limited and Birla Corporation choose the friendly ambiance of the city to be their headquarters.

To some Kolkata is the city of joy and others name it as the city of dreams. Whatever it may be, it is rest assured that this marvelous city would mesmerize you with its narrow galleys, tram journeys and the old world charm. This vibrant city with lots of temples, zoo, museums and science centers still keeps the melancholy charisma of the innate environs and bylanes. So tie tour bags, chart your tour and explore the city that holds effervescent amusements.

If the spectator in you are not satisfied with the ordinary charms and wants to witness something unique, you can definitely choose Kolkata as your dream destination. Perhaps Kolkatta would be the sole place where you can have the luxury of a tram ride. The mere glance of the Kolkata railway station and the colossal Howrah Bridge is adequate to quench the thirsty traveler. If a tram ride through boulevard, covered with colonial buildings delights you, if the blend of pastoral and offbeat thrills you, if you are fond of artistic performances, Kolkata would be a perfect location where you are sure to come across with the hodgepodge of above.

History
As the former capital of India, Kolkata boast of a colourful history. Prior to the advent of the British forces, this city was a cluster of three villages, Suttanutte, Gobindpore and Kalikata. Like all other major Indian cities, Kolkata also owe much to the progressive British for its all round development. From 1690 to 1772, this city was the hub of all the activities of the British East India Company. History states that it was the battle of Plassey paved the way of British reign in India.

During the 19th century the city was divided in to two, the white and the black town. As the name suggests, the former was the dwelling places of the English men and the poor Indians inhabited the latter. There was wide disparity between these two sectors. But we cannot underestimate the contributions of the English and it was their progressive reforms that helped the city to achieve a rapid growth in the industrial field.

A rapid growth in the fields of industrial, textile and jute sectors cause pave way to a massive investment in infrastructure developments like railroads and telegraph. The English education gave birth to so many illustrious Indians who motivated the people to fight against the foreign rule. Till Independence the Bengalis were the forerunners of Indian freedom movement and their valor and patriotism marks a golden era in the history of Indian Independence movements.

A quick glance of the bygone days of Kolkata reveals before us so many untoward incidents like the black hole tragedy, partition of Bengal and the worst ever famine of 1943. Despite all these, the city has shown a progressive growth in all areas.

History of Kolkata is the history of Indian communist movement. It is amazing to believe that for so many decades the Communist Party of India is ruling the state and that no other political parties in the state was not even able to form a strong opposition on the floor of the legislature. Such is the influence of the leftist ideology on the people. However it is hard to digest that the city, which has been an astound follower of the communist ideology, is an abundant reservoir of marvelous shrines and temples.

Culture
As the cultural capital of India, Kolkata boast of a rich tradition and cultural heritage. It would be very difficult to describe the cultural life of this great city in a few words. Kolkata reflects the true life of an average Bengali who finds pleasure in talking about anything under the sun. The city is a haven of fickle poets, susceptible artists and quixotic men and women. It's the city of the quaint, artsy and the intellectual.

To get a clean picture of the cultural life of the city is to be a part of the local chat session with a Bengali. Festivals and fiestas mark the cultural ambiance of the city. Kolkata is a home to varied film festivals, folk fairs and music conferences. These festivals hold much relevance in the life style of the people.

Renowned for the world class cinematographers, this city is an abode of classic Indian cinema. There is no other Indian like Sathyajit Ray who has gained worldwide accolades for his contribution to the Indian cinema. Apart from this the city serves as a good podium for literary, artistic aspirants.

One among the characteristic features of Kolkata is the neighbourhood or paras, which helps to develop a great sense of community feeling. Renowned for the great literary figures of the 19th century, the city still upholds the rich tradition of literary appreciation and the large scale participation of people in the annual book fair shows the positive attitude of the new generation towards the literature.

As the term Kolkata is a derivative of Kalighat, which means the abode of Goddess Kali, Durga Puja is the most significant and the most fascinating event of all other festivals. Other prominent festivals are, Diwali, Jagaddhatri Puja, Holi, Eid, Christmas, Poila Boishak., Rath Yatra, Saraswati Puja and Poush Parbon.

Food
Though the Bengali cuisine is famed for its peculiar taste and unique recipes, Kolkota provides a mix of all tastes in its culinary map. From the south Indian to the Mughalai, the Chinese to Tandoori, city restaurants fetch a wide range of dishes. These restaurants dole out all sorts of food items, which cover vegetarian, non-vegetarian, confectionaries, soups, and starters along with the popular sweets of Bengal.

The home food of Bengal is rice, lentils, and fish curry which is locally called as Bhat with macher jhol. Rice is complemented by fried bread (luchi) and tarkari (fried vegetables). Sweets are an inevitable part of Bengali cuisine. Sandesh, Chanar Payesh and Rosogolla are some of the best category of sweets that one should taste while in Kolkata.

Bengalis are considered as very fond of good food and traditional Bengali cuisine is a testimony to their food habit. Each locale in Bengal has an exceptional sweet of its own. Sharbhaja of Krishnanaga, Langcha and mihidana-sitabhog of Bardhaman, chanabora of Murshidabad there is a long list of sweets. To have a taste of exotic Bengali recipe, you have to peep in chosen restaurants like Aheli and Suruchi.

It would be very easy to get food of one’s choice in Kolkotta. Thai and Mexican food is the recent strikers in the food chart of the locals. One would find lots of Pizza huts and fast food corners through out the length and breadth of the city. If you have a good appetite, Kolkata would be the perfect place to dwell in.

Nightlife
Popped with liveliness and exhilaration nightlife in Kolkata reveals the versatile living style of the people. Nightlife in the city is centered around the restaurants, pubs and discotheques where the younger generation participates actively. Enjoying the beauty of the city in late night has been gaining momentum among the city dwellers.

Kolkata's discos are a great place to chill out in. Of the night activities take a bursting flare at midnight in the nightspots. These nightclubs would help you to shed all your hasty activities of the day and provide you with some good music, excellent dancing floors and fine quality beverages.

Shopping
A shopper’s delight, Kolkata offers some pretty locations to do shopping. Here shopping would be a wonderful experience if you are a master of bargaining. As Kolkata has shown a fast development in every field, a large number of shopping outlets have come up in and around the city, which provides great shopping.

Formerly known as the Hogg Market, the New Market area would be the perfect place to roam in. One would get each and everything here at a reasonable rate. Sreeram Arcade and the Treasure Island Market are the popular shopping spots of the natives. Other places worthy for a visit are Camac Street, Russel Street and Shakespeare Sarani. One among the specialty of these shops are one would get everything under a single roof.

In the shopping areas in Kolkata you can find an array of tempting stores with deftly designed handiworks to latest up to date gift articles. Shopping in Kolkata would always be a delightful experience since you would be provided with all branded items of international standard at an affordable price tag. The shops in Kolkata are very keen in selling good quality and stylish products that suits to the latest fashion trends.

Leave a comment on Kolkata
Edit Comment
Name:	Please enter a name
Email:	Optional. Email ID will not be displayed on the website.
Comment:	Please enter a comment