Architectural Wonders You Cannot Miss in Kolkata
Going to Kolkata? It’s probably one of the best decisions you’re going to take. The City of Joy is known for its rich heritage. It is full of landmarks from various eras of Indian history, especially from the time it served as the capital during the British Raj. But before you book your Pune to Kolkata flights, here are some landmarks you must include in your itinerary.
1. The Howrah Bridge
Howrah Bridge is the 3rd longest cantilever bridge in the world. It is iconic, as it is suspended over the River Hooghly, with regular traffic going on. It’s just a drive through and when you are on the bridge, you can see the amount of effort that has gone into building it and how amazing this construction of steel looks. Don’t forget to take enough pictures to create memories of this Kolkata icon.
2. Victoria Memorial
A large marble monument, built to honour of Queen Victoria, Victoria Memorial stands next to the banks of the River Hooghly. The architecture is so brilliant that it is worth booking those flights between Pune to Kolkata just to see it. This place has now become one of the most popular tourist attractions since it has been turned into a museum and memorial. In the complex, there is a garden spread over 64 acres and taken care of by several gardeners. You could even spend the entire day here with the family. A bronze statue of Queen Victoria sits at the entry of the memorial.
3. Dakshineswar Kali Temple
A Hindu Navaratna temple, this shrine is dedicated to Goddess Kali, considered another form of Goddess Durga. The boundary walls of this temple consist of small rooms, where Lord Shiva, husband of Goddess Kali, is also worshipped. Next to the Bathing Ghats, a shrine is also dedicated to Rani Rashmoni. You will also see the rooms where Ram Krishna Parmahansa lived within the temple complex.
4. New Market
Although today there are many major shopping complexes and malls in Kolkata, New Market continues to be a favourite shopping destination. There is nothing new about this market though, since it was constructed in the British era and was earlier known as Hoggs Market. It replaced the “Old Market” of Kolkata and so is popularly referred to as New Market. The design of this market is taken from the Victorian gothic market complexes. The place also serves some of the best street food of Kolkata. Visit this market to pick up souvenirs to carry back on your flight form Kolkata to Pune.
5. St. Paul’s Cathedral
This cathedral, also a relic of the British Raj, is recognized by its Gothic architecture. The cathedral was originally built to replace St. John’s Cathedral, seeing the growing population of the Europeans in the city. The cathedral was damaged in the 1934 earthquake that caused substantial damage to several structures in Kolkata. It was reconstructed later with a revised design.
A trip to Kolkata can definitely instill a love for art and history. So, go ahead and check out those Pune to Kolkata flights for a memorable vacation.
