Tourist Attractions in Kolkata for Indian Visa Holders
Kolkata has historically important places. Coming on Indian Tourist Visa? We have compiled the best places for your to Indian Tourist visit.
Kolkata, which used to be known as Calcutta, the capital of West Bengal in India, is one of the major metropolitan cities in India. As the place where the East India Company trading post was first set up, it has a long, overarching history of colonialism that is most visible in the architecture of some of the most famous places in the city. It is also considered to be India’s cultural centre or cultural capital because with the history of Bengal Renaissance of the 19th and 20th centuries in the city it has always been a hub of intellectual activity, famous for the traditions of art, literature, film, and drama that has grown and flourished in the city for centuries. Visiting Kolkata is certainly a unique and unparalleled experience which will allow you to witness India’s culture in an unprecedented way. The following tourist attractions in Kolkata are some of the places that you must visit while you are in the city.
Belur Math
Although Belur Math is a place of pilgrimage and the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, which is a Hindu religious and spiritual organization founded by Swami Vivekananda as part of the Hindu Reform Movement during the late 19th century in India and which is now an international spiritual organization, the Belur Math is interesting for other reasons as well. Apart from its religious and spiritual significance for Hindus and those who follow the teachings of Ramakrishna pramhansa, the building is interesting in and of itself, especially for its architecture which combines motifs from Hindu, Christian, and Islamic architecture and thus promotes a sort of unity of religions. It is also a very minimalistic looking yet beautiful building, as suits a building imbued with so much spirituality, and you would certainly find visiting it a serene and peaceful experience. Sri Ramakrishna served as a priest and trained world renowned spiritual disciples.
Indian Museum
One of the oldest museums of the world, Kolkata’s Indian Museum was founded in the beginning of the nineteenth century by the Asiatic Society of Bengal, which was founded by the British to promote the cause of ‘Oriental’ research, that is, to systematically start studying and researching the Indian culture and society. One of the first modern endeavours to be taken in the country, it is now an important place not only for the history of its conception but also for the various rare collections that it now houses in its 35 galleries, including ancient sculptures, antiques, coins, armor, ornaments, fossils, skeletons, mummies, and stunning Mughal paintings. It also houses some amazing contemporary paintings, Egyptian mummies, and relics and architectural remains from Bodhgaya. There is also a bookshop and library in the museum for those who want to find out more about the collections there.
Mother House
Mother Teresa is a huge name in India as one of the most prominent Roman Catholic nuns and missionaries in India who made it her life’s mission to serve the poor and the destitute around the world, especially in Kolkata where she spent many years of her life, and was canonized as Saint Teresa by the Roman Catholic Church for the same. She founded the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, a Roman Catholic religious congregation which continues her work by helping the poorest of people who are facing hardships in life. Mother House is where this congregation is run from and an area of the House also contains Mother Teresa’s tomb and an exhibition detailing her life and work. It is an interesting place to visit if you would like to find out more about missionary work in India.
Rabindra Sarobar
Kolkata is not just a cultural centre where you can only visit historically significant monuments and museums but also a beautiful city whose idyllic beauty is as much a reason to visit it as is its culturally significant buildings. Rabindra Sarobar is one such beautiful and serene place. It is an artificial lake in South Kolkata spread over 75 whopping acres. It is most famous for the many varieties of fish found in it as well as the migratory birds from Russia and Siberia that take refuge here during the winter. It is also a popular recreational spot with children’s parks and gardens and is a perfect place to go for a little picnic and enjoy the good weather and the company.
Victoria Memorial
A structure built in Kolkata to commemorate and celebrate the completion of twenty five years of rule over India by England’s Queen Victoria, quite an accurate replication of the Victoria Memorial in London itself, Kolkata’s Victoria Memorial is one of the most lasting legacies of the colonial era in Kolkata. Made of white marble, the structure is quite opulent and luxurious looking and its architecture is a stark reminder of England’s Victorian architecture. There is a sixteen foot tall bronze statue of Victory that stands on top of the building and that adds to its sophisticated, classy look. The building looks even more breathtaking when it is lit up at night. It is an iconic structure and one that most represents Kolkata in popular imagination. Hence, it is definitely a place you must go to when you are in Kolkata on your trip to India.
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