One of the best places in India to visit during the summer holidays is undoubtedly Kolkata. The City of Joy, as it is popularly known is a great place to catch the best of Victorian architecture along with the best of Bengali history and tradition.
Situated by the banks of the river Hooghly, there are plenty of places of attraction in and around the city, and one must truly spend at least a week or a fortnight to get to know the city properly. There are plenty of attractions for all ages of people and the right mix of man-made and natural wonders. Kolkata was the erstwhile capital of the British Raj, and this is reflected in the many monuments they built during this time in the city.
Kolkata is best explored in a car even though they have a fully-functional public transport system, including trams that run in the city. It is easy to get cabs owing to the option of an online cab booking in Kolkata that is sure to give you the best sights and sounds of the city.
The best attractions
There are many attractions in Kolkata, with the first major one being the Victoria Memorial building which is replete with white marble and thousands of relics that describe Kolkata from a previous era. The building is situated in the grounds adjacent to the River Hooghly in the city.
Another place of significant interest is the Dakshineshwar Kali Temple which was a place of significant importance to the Indian mystic, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. The temple also houses the deity of Maa Kali, a female figure of significant importance in Bengali and Hindu culture. It is also by the banks of the river and is a place that is on the top of many must-visit lists in Kolkata.
To catch a glimpse or even travel on another man-made wonder, head over to the Howrah Bridge and enjoy the massive steel structure that connects the two towns of Howrah and Kolkata. It is easily the busiest cantilever bridges in the world. Hop onto a cab by getting an online taxi booking in Kolkata and travel the bridge.
More time in and around the city
If travellers have extra time on their hands, then they must take out time to visit Shantiniketan, which is the legendary Indian Freedom Fighter’s Rabindranath Tagore’s hometown. One can travel on a journey through time as one sees some of his famous possessions still untouched.
The Sunderbans are another must-visit attraction around Kolkata. It is a mangrove-filled jungle by the banks of the river Ganga as it traverses a long path to empty into the Bay of Bengal. It is home to many different forms of flora and fauna, including being the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger – A magnificent species indigenous to the region.
A city which combines treasured relics of a rich past with the modern attractions like malls, fun-parks, planetariums and more, Kolkata is a part of every avid traveller’s bucket list.
