Attractions in Calcutta

Academy of Fine Arts
Established in 1933, the Academy is a place where the city's culturally conscious intellectuals converge. It's art galleries feature exhibitions by contemporary artists throughout the year. The Rabindra gallery contains personal belongings, manuscripts and paintings by Tagore. Situated near Victoria Memorial, its galleries are open daily from 3 pm to 8 pm (except the Rabindra Gallery; 12.00 noon to 6 pm daily, closed on Mondays).

Academy of Indian coins & History
Located at 361/B Rabindra Sarani, the academy has a gallery of ancient Indian coins. Open every weekday from 11 am to 1 pm.

Ashutosh Museum of Indian Art
Established in 1937, it is located within the premises of Calcutta University and has interesting pieces of Bengal art. Open from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm on weekdays and upto 3.00 pm on Saturdays.

Asiatic Society
Located at 1 Park Street, Calcutta 700016, this institution is a famous centre of Indology, Literature and Scientific Research. It was founded by Sir William Jones in 1784 with Warren Hastings as its first patron. Its library contains about 20000 volumes including about 8000 rare Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian and Hindi manuscripts.

B.B.D. Bagh
Named after three young freedom fighters-Benoy, Badal and Dinesh, is a square built around the old Lal Dighi tank, which still exits. It was later called the Tank Square and then the Dalhousie Square. It is still the 'heart' of Calcutta and many famous buildings housing important businesses and banks are located here.

Other interesting buildings in the B.B.D. Bagh (Dalhousie) area are the Royal Exchange (a one-time residence of Robert Clive and now the office of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry), St. John's Church. This church's yard has the Mausoleum of 'Calcutta's Founder', Job Charnock. The building is supposedly the oldest piece of masonry in Calcutta.

Belur Math
Founded by Swami Vivekananda, the world famous yogi and disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, it is the Headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission and is 6.4 kms from Howrah Station on the banks of the River Hooghly. This International tourist attraction is located near Belur in Howrah district. Its sprawling prayer hall with a statue of Ramakrishna is remarkable. Connected by train and bus.

Birla Industrial & Technological Museum
Established in 1966, it is located at 19A Gurusaday Road. A permanent exhibition of industrial and technological progress in India. A seat of learning of modern science and technology for students, research scholars etc. Has a workshop which designs and produces much of its exhibits. Closed on Mondays.

Birla Mandir
A new landmark in Calcutta is the Birla Temple on Syed Amir Ali Avenue. It attracts huge crowds and is splendid and imposing structure in white.

Birla Planetarium
One of the largest in Asia, it is located at 96 Jawaharlal Nehru Road. Daily programmes (except Monday) in English, Bengali and Hindi from 12 noon to 7 pm. Entry by ticket. It can accommodate 500 persons.

Botanical Gardens
The largest and oldest of its kind in India, it was laid out in 1787. It covers an area of 109.27 ha and is famous for the over 250-years-old Great Banyan tree which covers 382 m in its circumference, with over 600 aerial roots. There are more than 30,000 varieties of trees and plants. Situated about 9 km from Calcutta, across the Hooghly, it is a lovely picnic spot, best reached by a ferry across the Hooghly from Metiabruz. Open from 7.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Burrabazar
The most visible center of wholesale and retail trade in Calcutta, it is a bewildering medley of crowds and merchandise. The businessmen who operate here care nothing for appearances... money is the keyword. Situated to the north of B B D Bag, the place is accessible on foot from B B D Bag or by any bus going towards Howrah from B B D Bag.

Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA)
Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA). A new gallery featuring Indian contemporary art, for which it is renowned internationally. The gallery opens daily from 2 pm to 8 pm, except Mondays, Situated near the Birla Temple, close to Ballygunge Phari.

Calcutta High Court
The Highest seat of judiciary in West Bengal. One of the oldest in India (constructed in 1872), built in the Gothic style of architecture, it is a landmark in Calcutta. An extension was added later, which retains its architectural symmetry. Near Eden Gardens.

Dakshineswar Temple
Built by Rani Rasmoni of north Calcutta in the 19th century on the bank of Ganges, north east of Calcutta. It is here that Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the renowned spiritual personality and the guru of Swami Vivekananda had worshipped the Goddess Kali, Bhaba Tarani, and did his sadhana at the Panchabati Garden adjacent to the temple. A world famous place of pilgrimage.

Dhakuria Lake
An artificial lake in Ballygunge, south Calcutta on Southern Avenue. Comprises a rowing club, safari garden children's park and play center (lily pool) an open air theatre Mukta Manch, swimming pool training centres, etc.

Eden Gardens
A sprawling garden set up by the British in the early 20 century with a band stand and a beautiful pagoda. An attractive picnic spot on Strand Road. A stadium has been built adjacent to it for cricket test matches which can accommodate about 85,000 people.

Fort William
The Military H.Q. of the Eastern Command. located on the Maidan, adjacent to Red Road. Named after Kind William III it can accommodate a garrison of 10,000 men.

Howrah Bridge
This Engineering marvel has been the firmest symbol of Calcutta. The huge cantilever bridge, strung on two 270 feet high pillars connects Calcutta from Howrah. It four traffic lanes are daily used by over a lakh vehicles. It is the third largest bridge in the world, has around 2 million people crossing over it daily. Visible from many places in Calcutta, the bridge is called 'Rabindra Setu'. Quite near the Calcutta-end of the bridge is the spot where job Charmock landed over 300 years ago.

Indian Museum
A National Museum housing rare antiques, armaments, armour, fossils, stones, paintings of Mughal India, regal dresses/uniforms, rare animal skeletons, mummies, etc. Entry by ticket. Situated on J L Nehru Road.

Netaji Indoor Stadium
A fully air-conditioned stadium built in the seventies for indoor games and concerts. It has been the venue for the International Table-tennis Tournament in the seventies. Located in from the High Court building.