Finally I got a new idea for this almost dead blog that I attempt to maintain at times. My friend (born to and brought up by a very endearing Kannadiga family in Bangalore) has been staying in Kolkata for over five years. After much dillydallying, her mother finally decided to come and spend 10 days with my friend. And I have been entrusted with the task of making a list of places to see. Although I know there are better persons around us to do this job, I did it quite honestly.
Here is what I wrote to her (in italics).
The places you might want to take you Amma:
Kolkata Park Street - Esplanade region:
1. Town Hall Museum (I have not been there, at least I don't remember)
2. Eden Gardens, Shahid Minar, Raj Bhavan (See them on the way)
3. Indian Museum
4. Asiatic Society (There is a museum and a library)
5. Armenian Church in B.B.D. Bagh area
6. Job Charnok's Tomb near B.B.D. Bagh
7. South Park St. Cemetary
8. Lower Circular Road Cemetary (Getting a bit spooky? skip them)
Kolkata Rabindrasadan Area
1. Victoria Memorial Hall and Museum
2. St. Paul's Cathedral (You may want to check the timings online)
3. Academy of Fine Arts
4. Gaganendra Pradashanshala
5. Netaji Bhavan
Central - North Kolkata:
1. Ashutosh Museum In Calcutta University College St Campus (Centenary Building)
2. Jorasanko Thakurbari
3. Vivekananda's Ancestral Home
5. Mahajati Sadan (there is a museum inside)
6. Thanthane Kalibari (near Bethume College: Not a visual pleasure, but has some historical significance)
7. Firingee Kalibari (B.B. Ganguly St., Bowbazar. Built by a European named Anthony who married a Hindu Brahmin Widow, this temple is a testimony of the medieval tyranny that was rampant in Bengal in those days. I have never been there.)
8. Nakhoda Mosque (You can see this from outside. However since it is on the infamous Rabindra Sarani, I would suggest not to go after 4 p.m.)
9. Marble Palace
East Kolkata:
1. Science City
2. Mother Teresa's Home (near Taltola Sealdah)
3. Nicco Park (Really?)
Extreme North Kolkata:
1. Dakshineswar
2. Belur Math (boat ride and the evening prayer)
3. Barrackpore Gandhi Ghat and Museum (and the Railway Stn)
South:
1. Kalighat Temple (Skip it, and I mean it)
2. Gurusaday Museum (a bit too far, in Joka. But an amazing place to be in. Here is a link: http://www.gurusadaymuseum.org/)
3. Alipore Zoo (in a pathetic state)
4. Tipu Sultan's Mosque in Anwar Shah Road
5. Greek Church Near Kalighat
6. Birla Temple Ballygunge
7. Birla Industrial and Technological Museum
8. Yet another spooky place: Bhawanipore Cemetary (near the Zoo)
9. National Library
10. Agri-Horticultural Society
11. The two Jails: Presidency Jail and Alipore Jail (Politically incorrect: they are now correctional homes. And of course to be seen from outside)
12. My home
West:
1. Of course, the Ganga and boat ride
2. Armenian Ghat
3. Princep Ghat
4. Millenium Park (You might not want to be seen there with your mom)
5. Botanical Garden
6. The three bridges connecting Kolkata and Howrah
7. Howrah Station
This is pretty much what I know about Kolkata and adjoining areas. A lot of interesting places (Example: Mysore Garden adjoining Keoratala Crematorium) have been deliberately omitted, and a lot that have been included may not be worth seeing. Tried to add a little bit of humour here and there, bad jokes as usual, I know.
I know it would be cool to post some pictures along with the places. May be, just may be I will stop procrastinating some day...
Here is what I wrote to her (in italics).
The places you might want to take you Amma:
Kolkata Park Street - Esplanade region:
1. Town Hall Museum (I have not been there, at least I don't remember)
2. Eden Gardens, Shahid Minar, Raj Bhavan (See them on the way)
3. Indian Museum
4. Asiatic Society (There is a museum and a library)
5. Armenian Church in B.B.D. Bagh area
6. Job Charnok's Tomb near B.B.D. Bagh
7. South Park St. Cemetary
8. Lower Circular Road Cemetary (Getting a bit spooky? skip them)
Kolkata Rabindrasadan Area
1. Victoria Memorial Hall and Museum
2. St. Paul's Cathedral (You may want to check the timings online)
3. Academy of Fine Arts
4. Gaganendra Pradashanshala
5. Netaji Bhavan
Central - North Kolkata:
1. Ashutosh Museum In Calcutta University College St Campus (Centenary Building)
2. Jorasanko Thakurbari
3. Vivekananda's Ancestral Home
5. Mahajati Sadan (there is a museum inside)
6. Thanthane Kalibari (near Bethume College: Not a visual pleasure, but has some historical significance)
7. Firingee Kalibari (B.B. Ganguly St., Bowbazar. Built by a European named Anthony who married a Hindu Brahmin Widow, this temple is a testimony of the medieval tyranny that was rampant in Bengal in those days. I have never been there.)
8. Nakhoda Mosque (You can see this from outside. However since it is on the infamous Rabindra Sarani, I would suggest not to go after 4 p.m.)
9. Marble Palace
East Kolkata:
1. Science City
2. Mother Teresa's Home (near Taltola Sealdah)
3. Nicco Park (Really?)
Extreme North Kolkata:
1. Dakshineswar
2. Belur Math (boat ride and the evening prayer)
3. Barrackpore Gandhi Ghat and Museum (and the Railway Stn)
South:
1. Kalighat Temple (Skip it, and I mean it)
2. Gurusaday Museum (a bit too far, in Joka. But an amazing place to be in. Here is a link: http://www.gurusadaymuseum.org/)
3. Alipore Zoo (in a pathetic state)
4. Tipu Sultan's Mosque in Anwar Shah Road
5. Greek Church Near Kalighat
6. Birla Temple Ballygunge
7. Birla Industrial and Technological Museum
8. Yet another spooky place: Bhawanipore Cemetary (near the Zoo)
9. National Library
10. Agri-Horticultural Society
11. The two Jails: Presidency Jail and Alipore Jail (Politically incorrect: they are now correctional homes. And of course to be seen from outside)
12. My home
West:
1. Of course, the Ganga and boat ride
2. Armenian Ghat
3. Princep Ghat
4. Millenium Park (You might not want to be seen there with your mom)
5. Botanical Garden
6. The three bridges connecting Kolkata and Howrah
7. Howrah Station
This is pretty much what I know about Kolkata and adjoining areas. A lot of interesting places (Example: Mysore Garden adjoining Keoratala Crematorium) have been deliberately omitted, and a lot that have been included may not be worth seeing. Tried to add a little bit of humour here and there, bad jokes as usual, I know.
I know it would be cool to post some pictures along with the places. May be, just may be I will stop procrastinating some day...
