Kolkata Tourism | Kolkata Tour Packages

Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta), the capital city of West Bengal, is a city of every
traveller’s dream. With architectural splendour, rich art galleries, vibrant culture and
historical significance, Kolkata is undeniably one of the most important cities of the
country with a significant past and culture, religious importance, along with a rich art
and literary history. Referred as the “City of Joy”, Kolkata is indeed a place of delight
for travel lovers. Kolkata Tourism offers a wide range of engaging choices to visitors,
ranging from sightseeing, events, activities, cuisine and culture.

Varied grand architecture belonging to colonial era and beyond which presents a
compelling contrast to the modernity of this metropolitan city, is something that one
must experience at least once in his/her lifetime. The city is equally popular for the
cultural events that are organised here. From Kolkata book fair to the splendid Durga
puja celebrations, there are ample of cultural and art-related activities that one can be
part of during a Kolkata tour .

It is the land where great thinkers, writers, visionaries and artists were born.
Rabindranath Tagore, Satyajit Ray, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Sarat Chandra
Chattopadhyay, Swami Vivekananda, Subhas Chandra Bose, Jagadish Chandra Bose
and sportsman like Sourav Ganguly and Leander Paes are a few of the renowned
personalities. Mother Teresa also spent considerable amount of her life in this city.
Owing to this, this city is often referred with a popular saying which states - ‘What
Bengal thought today, India thought tomorrow’.

History of Kolkata

There are many stories behind the name Calcutta/Kolkata. According to some, the city
was named as Kalikata, which was created by combining the three village names.
However, as per other researchers, the name was given owing to its geographical
location. As the city is situated at the river side, it is named Kolikata with Kol
referring to the depressions on the river banks. The most popularly believed reason behind the
name Kolkata is after the name of Hindu Goddess Kali which later became Calcutta.
However, in 2001, the city was renamed as Kolkata.

Three villages namely Kalikata, Gobindapur and Sutanuti together constitute the city of
Kolkata, which is located at the banks of River Hooghly. During 13th century, trade
started flourishing in the city; Saptagram is earliest town known to have established
trade relations with foreign lands.

In 1686, British East India Company started a factory in Sutanuti. It was a part of
expansion plans of British India. By 1535, Portuguese had settled here while in 1655
Dutch arrived in Chinsurah and in 1697 French arrived in Chandernagore and in 1755
Danes in Serampore. All these ports along with the villages of Kalikata, Gobindapur
and Sutanuti served as the prime centre of trade till 18th Century.

However, the recorded history of the city is during the British rule. From 1772 to 1911,
Kolkata served as the capital city of British India as the capital was shifted to Delhi,
while from 1912 to 1947, it was the capital of Bengal and later after independence, it
became the capital city of West Bengal.

The city has seen many battles and freedom movements as well. For instance, in 1756
Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-Ud-Daula, attacked and took control of the city; later in 1757,
during Battle of Plassey, Nawab was defeated. From the year 1830 to 1930, many
nationalistic movements started from this city.

Places to visit in Kolkata

Kolkata boasts of many interesting sightseeing choices that cater to all kinds of
interests. Irrespective of how you are travelling or with whom you are holidaying, you
will find many engaging options to enjoy and explore in this city. From historical
buildings, art galleries, ancient temples, colonial churches, gardens, stadium to
shopping markets and eateries, there are many amazing places to see in Kolkata.

Architecture lovers will be mesmerised with the structural beauty of building like
Victoria Memorial hall, Raj Bhavan, Writers’ Building, etc. Mother House, which is the
headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity which was founded by Mother Teresa, is
also a popular sightseeing place in Kolkata. Tomb of Mother Teresa is also located
here. For sports fanatics, a visit to Salt Lake Stadium/Yuba Bharati Krirangan and
Eden Garden is must. For shopping, places like Bara Bazaar, College Street, Gariahat
and new market are perfect.

The city is religiously significant as well. It is considered as one of the 52 shakti
peethas. Hence, many devotees visit the Kalighat Kali Temple to offer prayers to the
Goddess Kali. Along with Kalighat Kali Temple, there are many other prominent
temples in the city that are worth visiting such as Birla Mandir, ISKCON Temple, Belur
Math, Dakshineshwar Temple, etc.

If time permits, you can also visit to many places around Kolkata such as terracotta
temples of Bishnupur, Sundarbans National Park, Shantiniketan, beaches in Digha and
Mandarmani and many more.

Location of Kolkata

Kolkata, the capital city of West Bengal state, is situated within lower Ganges Delta in
eastern part of Indian sub-continent. It lies along the eastern bank of River Hooghly.

How to reach Kolkata/Calcutta

Kolkata is easily accessible from all the parts of the country. The Netaji Subhash
Chandra Bose Airport is connected to all the prominent cities such as Mumbai,
Bangalore, Port Blair, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, etc.

It is also linked by railways to the rest of the country. The city has two main railway
stations which are located in Howrah and Sealdah. From super-fast trains to express,
there are many trains running to the city from all over India.

For those who are travelling by road the city is well connected by roads. One can either
take a private and state run buses or hire a cab to the city from nearby areas.
Esplanade Terminus is the main bus stand of the city. Along with buses running from
Shillong and Tripura to Kolkata, there are buses between Kolkata, Dhaka and Bhutan as well.

Kolkata Sightseens Tours

Howrah Bridge Kolkata

Victoria Memorial Kolkata

Eden Gardens Kolkata

Dakshineswar Kali Temple Kolkata

St. Paul’s Cathedral Kolkata

Eco Tourism Park Kolkata

Birla Planetarium Kolkata

Belur Math Kolkata

Shaheed Minar Kolkata

College Street Kolkata

Lal Dighi Kolkata

Netaji Bhawan Kolkata

Raj Bhavan Kolkata

Star Theatre Kolkata

Vidyasagar Bridge Kolkata

Rabindra Sarobar Kolkata

Elliot Park Kolkata

Nehru Children’s Museum Kolkata

Mandarmani Beach Kolkata

Kolkata Gate / Biswa Bangla Gate

Santosh Mitra Square Kolkata

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary Kolkata

Vivekananda Setu / Bally Bridge Kolkata

Birla Industrial and Technological Museum Kolkata

Park Street/Food Street Kolkata

Birla Temple Kolkata

Marble Palace Mansion Kolkata

Fort William Kolkata

National Library Kolkata

Mother's Wax Museum Kolkata

BBD Bagh Kolkata

Alipore Zoological Gardens Kolkata

Aquatica Water Park Kolkata

General Post Office Kolkata

Misti Hub Kolkata

Police Museum Kolkata

Shobhabazar Rajbari Kolkata

Town Hall Kolkata

Rabindra Sadan Kolkata

Shantiniketan Kolkata

Wet-O-Wild Kolkata

Snow Park, Axis Mall, Kolkata

Digha Beach Kolkata

Maddox Square Park Kolkata

Patuli Floating Market Kolkata

Chintamani Kar Bird sanctuary Kolkata

Maidan / Brigade Parade Ground Kolkata

Jorasanko Thakurbari / House of the Thakurs Kolkata

Indian Museum Kolkata

Kolkata Race Course

Kalighat Kali Temple Kolkata

Writers’ Building Kolkata

Mother House Kolkata

Nicco Park Kolkata

Science City Kolkata

Millennium Park Kolkata

Armenian Church Kolkata

Kumartuli Kolkata

Nakhoda Mosque Kolkata

Prinsep Ghat Kolkata

St. John’s Church Kolkata

Tram Museum Kolkata

Tipu Sultan Mosque Kolkata

Sundarbans National Park Kolkata

Hooghly Imambara Kolkata

Babughat Kolkata

Bandel Church Kolkata

Muhammad Ali Park Kolkata

Nature Park Kolkata

ISKCON Radha Govinda Temple Kolkata

Swami Vivekananda's Ancestral House Kolkata

Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden Kolkata