Belur Math The headquarters of the Ramkrishna Order

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Victoria Memorial
The Victoria Memorial is probably the most well known tourist spot in Calcutta. A tribute to the late Queen Empress, it was conceived by the Viceroy, Lord Curzon, in 1905, four years after the Queen's death. The Prince of Wales (later King George V) laid the foundation stone on 4th Jan, 1906. It took 15 years before the Duke of Windsor officially inaugurated it on 21st December, 1921.

Designed by Sir William Emerson, this 61-m. high structure of white marble stands on 26 hectares of land. Inspired by the Taj Mahal, its splendid form combines British architecture and Moghul artistry. However, while the Taj is purely aesthetic in its appeal, the Victoria Memorial exemplifies the grandeur of imperialism. Ornate bronze gateways welcome the visitor to the sprawling grounds, with their lakes, trees and flowering plants. A tree-lined approach leads to a statue of Queen Victoria in her full regalia, seated on a throne. Several other elegant statues also dot the ground.

A bronze statue of an angel tops the domed memorial. Wide stairs lead to the central hall. The hall is nearly 50 m. high, with a balcony at about half its height running along the perimeter. On the balcony there are murals depicting scenes from the Queen's coronation and other historical events of her reign.

Inside the hall there are 25 galleries containing around 3,500 articles of the Queen's use. There is her rosewood piano and writing desk, her letters and manuscripts. Portraits of Queen Mary, King George, Queen Victoria and of several early British administrators adorn the walls. There is an exhibition of military uniforms, arms and armours and a miniature model of Fort William.

Also on display is Shiraj-ud-Daulah's black marble throne. One room contains a 6m. by 3m. painting of a royal procession in Jaipur, which is possibly the largest painting in Asia. The Calcutta Gallery contains sketches, photographs, paintings and an illustrated history of the city's growth and development.

Belur Math
The headquarters of the Ramkrishna Order, the Belur Math, was set up on 14th January, 1938, as homage to the memory of Sri Ramkrishna, the 19th century monk and seer. The spot where the Math stands was marked by his most eminent disciple, Swami Vivekananda, who placed the ashes of Sri Ramkrishna at this spot. Swami Vivekananda is largely credited with the concept of the Math.

The architecture of Belur Math combines the features of a church, a temple and a mosque, to embody the spirit of religious fraternity. The main gateway leads to the Ramkrishna Sarada Mandir.

Another attraction for visitors is the Sri Ramkrishna Museum, which has been set up with the assistance of the National Council of Science Museum. Items owned by Sri Ramkrishna, Ma Sarada and Swami Vivekananda have been kept as souvenirs, and made to recreate the bygone ambience of blessed serenity.

Birla Temple
The Birla Temple stands adjacent to the Calcutta Cricket and Football Club, not far from Gariahat market. The latest addition to the city's list of tourist spots, it took 26 years and 180 million rupees to build. The gates were opened to the public in 1996.

Sandstone has been used on the exterior of the temple, and marble for the interiors. Traditional artistry, coupled with modern technology, has lent uniqueness to the architecture. Sculptors were brought in from Agra, Mirzapur and Muzaffarpur to execute the intricate patterns on the walls. There are artefacts made of silver and Belgian glass. Messages from the Bhagavad Gita have been carved on marble. Inside this 48.7-m. high temple are idols of Radha, Krishna, Shiva and Durga. Photography is not allowed

Indian Museum

The palatial building that houses the Indian Museum follows the Italian style of architecture. The oldest institution of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region, the Museum was originally established on 2nd February, 1814, at the Asiatic Society. Dr.Nathaniel Wallich, a botanist, was the founder-curator. It was transferred to the present building in 1878 with just two galleries. At present, the Museum has over 60 galleries for the Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology and Botany sections. It is spread out over an area of 930 sq. m. The collection spans the entire range of history with many items dating back to prehistoric times. A multipurpose and multidisciplinary institution of national importance, the museum is the largest repository of artefacts in India.

The museum is particularly famous for its zoological and geological collections. The sections dealing with fossil and taxidermy are also notable. Star attractions are a 4,000 year-old mummy and an enormous dinosaur skeleton. Also notable among the collection are 50,000 antique coins, precious stones and 414 meteors.

Priceless items such as Shahjahan's emerald goblet and an urn containing Buddha's ashes add variety. The Bharhut Gallery containing artefacts from the 2nd century B.C., the Gandhara Gallery containing works of Buddhist sculpture and the Theme Gallery of rare paintings are also worth visiting.

The Museum Directorate has seven co-ordinating service units: Preservation, Publication, Photography, Presentation, Modelling, Education and Library. Photography is not allowed without prior written permission from the authorities.

Nehru Children's Museum

Dedicated entirely to children, this museum is also a learning centre. The great Indian epics - the Ramayana and the Mahabharata - are depicted here in clay models. Multicoloured fish play around in an aquarium. The doll collection is very popular, with exhibits from 88 countries on display.

There are many other interesting features, including a computer centre with games. Various events are also organised from time to time, designed to capture the imagination of kids and adolescents. A visit to the museum is a childhood experience not to be missed.

Kalighat Kali Temple
Kali Temple at Kalighat Built in 1809, on the banks of the River Ganga as it flowed then, the Kali Temple at Kalighat is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimages in India. Apart from the divine power of the residing deity, the temple has long been famous for its fine examples of terracotta art, though a lot of it has been ravaged by time. The original building was renovated in 1971.

The idol of Goddess Kali is made of black stone and decorated with gold and silver. The one of Lord Shiva is in silver. The goddess is offered a ceremonial bath every year on the snan-yatra day, the rituals being performed by the head priest.

Some researchers hold that the name Calcutta evolved from the word Kalighat.

At a little distance from the Kali Temple is the Keoratala Crematorium where the mortal remains of many a great citizen has been assigned to the flames.

Howrah Bridge

The Rabindra Setu, popularly known as the Howrah Bridge, is the gateway to the city of Calcutta. Built on River Hooghly, it was originally meant to facilitate military transportation between Calcutta and the industrial town of Howrah during World War II. It remains an arterial bridge that connects the city to its main railway station, the Howrah Station.

The bridge is 705 m. long and 97 m. wide. Construction started in 1939 and the bridge was opened to traffic in 1943. Built from 26,500 tons of steel, it is the world's third longest cantilever bridge. An engineering marvel, it expands by as much as a metre during the heat of a summer day.

The eight-lane bridge carries a steady flow of around 57,000 vehicles and 2 million commuters every day. The best way to enjoy its stately beauty is to view it from the middle of the river. Photography however, is prohibited.
Vidyasagar Setu

The Vidyasagar Setu, better known locally as the second Hooghly Bridge, stands on the river Hooghly. Located two km. to the south of the Howrah Bridge, it was built to reduce vehicular pressure from the latter. The construction work took 22 years and cost Rs. 3.88 billion. The bridge was opened to traffic officially on 10th October, 1992.

The Setu is Asia's longest and the world's third largest cable-stayed bridge. Supported by 121 wire cables, it is 457 m. long and 115 m. wide. This graceful structure stands on four pylons, on a foundation that is 100 m. deep

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