Calcutta

The bustling city of Calcutta (now Kolkatta) is a wonderful fusion of history and modern technology. It is one of the oldest metropolis in India and boast of being house to a string of great personalities including poets, writers, social reformers, martyrs and freedom fighters. Also referred as the ‘City of Joy and hope’, this land of the colorful Bengalis speaks volumes about a rich colonial past. Calcutta has been the capital of India under British Raj for very long. The impressions of its colonial rulers are immensely reflected on the many landmark buildings erected by them.

Years back a chieftain of British East India Company bought three villages from the Nawab of Bengal to lay the foundation of what is called Kolkatta (formerly Calcutta) today. Crowded streets, noisy roads flanked by ethnic architecture and shopping complexes with all facets of life and livelihood, Calcutta offers you a memorable holiday experience.

Calcutta’s colonial buildings are ranked amongst the most significant architectures in India and form the major attractions of the city. The famous Victoria Memorial (built in the memory of Queen Victoria) is a landmark tourist attraction right in the heart of the city. If you are in Calcutta a visit to the renowned Howrah Bridge over the river Hooghly is a must. You can also have a romantic boat ride across the sacred Ganges, underneath a clear blue sky. Visit the second largest planetarium in Asia, the Birla Planetarium or go shopping around amidst colorful bazaars and market complexes.