Tour Packages for Kolkata

Known and Famous as Calcutta, Kolkata was the first capital of the British in India. A mere village in the early 17th century, today Kolkata is one of the four metropolitan cities of India. The city is famous for some beautiful edifices of British India. Victoria Memorial and the Howrah Bridge are the two very popular structures of the city.

Kali Mandir, dedicated to Kali, goddess of destruction, is the temple from which the old village Kalikata and the present city took its name.

In 1690, Job Charnok, an agent of the East India Company chose this place for a British trade settlement. The selection was strategic and well thought as the site was protected by the Hooghly River on the west, a creek to the north, and by salt lakes about two and a half miles to the east.

In 1756, Siraj-ud-daullah, nawab of Bengal, attacked the city and captured the fort. Robert Clive recaptured Calcutta in 1757 when the British defeated Siraj-ud-daullah on the battlefield of Plassy. In 1772, Calcutta became the capital of British India. Till 1912, Calcutta was the capital of India, when the British moved the capital city to Delhi.

Victoria Memorial is a huge white-marble structure, which has been now converted in a museum. The Memorial is one of the finest structures of British in India. The Memorial, which is now well lighted, looks very beautiful on a full moon day.

Howrah Bridge, this early 20th century bridge is an excellent example of engineering techniques. The whole bridge is 450 m long without any pylon in the river. The bridge also has the distinction of being the busiest bridge in the world catering to around 100,000 vehicles and innumerable pedestrians.

The Indian Museum, built in 1874, is one of the oldest museums in India. It has one of the rare collections of archeological. The Museum has an original Lion Capitol, the national symbol of India at the entrance gate. You can see this through the tour packages for Kolkata.

Fort William, another important structure in the city was constructed in 1781. The fort was built after the attack of Siraj-Ud-Daula in 1756, which killed many British soldiers with their families.

Other important sites that can be visited are Dakshineshwar Kali Temple, Botanical Garden, Shanti Niketan, Marble Palace, Bishnupur, Tagore House, Church of St John, Nakhoda Mosque, Raj Bhawan, Town Hall, and St. Paul's Cathedral.

To feel the culture and hospitality of the city, one must visit the city during the Durga Puja Festival.