One of the four metros in India, the capital of West Bengal Kolkata is an interesting place. Once it was the capital of the British India. Thanks to the British Raj for the architecture and status that they have given to Kolkata. Kolkata is an happening city and when it comes to the entertainment the city has lots of things to offer. It has got lots of interesting places to visit there like Fort William, Victoria Memorial, Eden Garden, Birla Planetarium, Howrah Bridge, Marble Palace, Writer's Building, Nicco Park, Saheed Minar, National Library, Belur Math etc. There are various cultural activities in various auditorium which are best source of entertainment.
The city
Tourists find the place Kolkata a different place. It is a Bengali dominated place and people are very friendly. It is the most laid back city in the world. They love to chat and start talking to the tourists very fast. They have cultural bend of mind and an artistic flair. In fact Kolkata is famous for cultural activities be it dance, poetry, theater, drama, music, instrument everything. They love to discuss in any matters as they have enough time. It is said that at bus, tram or in tea shop a complete strangers turn in to comrades as the local people pore over in to news paper, - that's Kolkata.
A visit to Kolkata will not be complete with out a festival. During the festival women with their saris and men with payjama, conch shell sound, the aroma of camphore, vermilion, ghee, white, yellow flowers with green leaf, pungent fragnance from the kitchen, chants and hyms offer the traveller a sense of home in Kolkata. The famous festival of Kolkata are Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Holi and many more.
Eateries
Kolkata is famous for good eateries. Ilsha fish and macher jhol bhat and roso golla of Bengal are world famous. There are all types of food available in Kolkata but the traditional Bengali food are awe some. The street food of Kolkata are very yummy and cheap.
Shopping
Kolkata is an ideal place for shopping in reasonable price. Teracotta items are very nice things to buy from there. Cotton clothes, chappals are very trendy there.
Kolkata is well connected from all over the world and have got lots of lodging facility.
Showing posts with label Kolkata. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kolkata. Show all posts
Monday, December 1, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
The Forgotten Palaces of Calcutta
Indian architecture speaks volumes about the glorious past and unparalleled work of the master craftsmen. Today we are living in the 21st century, the skyline of urban India tells a story of steel, glass a
nd concrete, the building speak of India’s tryst with modernity. Of course, we as an economic powerhouse and an important global player reaching new heights, but today’s modern building can’t match the charm which the heritage buildings encompasses.
All over India there are thousands of such structure, some ruined some in good condition that describe the stories of glorious past of India. Calcutta, once the capital of India is home to a number of magnificent palaces. Take a journey with Incredible India down memory lane to the 19th century Bengal, where Venetian chandeliers and ballrooms, puja rooms and zenanans co-existed to a world of luxury and privilege, and then the decline, slow decay and now an almost forgotten world. Situated mainly in North Calcutta, these houses were once known for their grandeur and unmatched beauty. But post Independence the situation became progressively worse, sadly they now lie decrepit and uncared for.
Built in the colonial era, these houses now stand as historic records and give us an important insight into the past. Among the forgotten palaces of Calcutta, Raja Nabakrishna Deb’s Palace is very important. Considered to the then one of Calcutta's greatest zamindars, he came to own the palace (originally built by Sobharam Ghosh) with the assistance of the ruling British. Most of the houses had a European facade, with Ionic columns, lion heads mounted on Corinthian pillars. While the inside was structure more traditionally with courtyards and separate quarters for men and women.
In addition to these, there are a number of other equally charming palaces in Calcutta. Today, those palaces have been hidden behind the hustle and bustle of modern day Calcutta. Some royal families have handed over part of their properties to the Government to restore and manage, while some are allowing parts of their houses to be used as schools and hospitals. In fact, the ancient palaces in Calcutta need proper attention from the government, unless we would be able to see them in historic books or travel magazines in future only.
nd concrete, the building speak of India’s tryst with modernity. Of course, we as an economic powerhouse and an important global player reaching new heights, but today’s modern building can’t match the charm which the heritage buildings encompasses.All over India there are thousands of such structure, some ruined some in good condition that describe the stories of glorious past of India. Calcutta, once the capital of India is home to a number of magnificent palaces. Take a journey with Incredible India down memory lane to the 19th century Bengal, where Venetian chandeliers and ballrooms, puja rooms and zenanans co-existed to a world of luxury and privilege, and then the decline, slow decay and now an almost forgotten world. Situated mainly in North Calcutta, these houses were once known for their grandeur and unmatched beauty. But post Independence the situation became progressively worse, sadly they now lie decrepit and uncared for.
Built in the colonial era, these houses now stand as historic records and give us an important insight into the past. Among the forgotten palaces of Calcutta, Raja Nabakrishna Deb’s Palace is very important. Considered to the then one of Calcutta's greatest zamindars, he came to own the palace (originally built by Sobharam Ghosh) with the assistance of the ruling British. Most of the houses had a European facade, with Ionic columns, lion heads mounted on Corinthian pillars. While the inside was structure more traditionally with courtyards and separate quarters for men and women.
In addition to these, there are a number of other equally charming palaces in Calcutta. Today, those palaces have been hidden behind the hustle and bustle of modern day Calcutta. Some royal families have handed over part of their properties to the Government to restore and manage, while some are allowing parts of their houses to be used as schools and hospitals. In fact, the ancient palaces in Calcutta need proper attention from the government, unless we would be able to see them in historic books or travel magazines in future only.
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