Kolkata has the reputation of being India's friendliest and most vibrant metropolis. It is regarded as India's cultural capital. Among many other proud distinctions the city has produced to the Nobel Laureates Ronald Ross, Rabindranath Tagore, C V Raman, Gunter Grass, Mother Teresa and Amartya Sen.

Located at the tip of the sprawling Ganges delta which flows into the Bay of Bengal, the city hugs the eastern bank of the massive Hooghly tributary. The Howrah bridge which connects the mega-city to an industrial township on the opposite bank is a signature land mark.

Kipling wrote,"From the mid-day halt" of British merchant adventurer Job Charnok "grew the city" fabled to be "Calcutta". The city abandoned its British imposed name of Calcutta in December 2000 and restored its traditional identity - Kolkata. The name Kolkata is said to be derived from the name Kalikshetra or the seat of goddess Kali.

SIGHT SEEING
Victoria Memorial

This grand white marble building with its tree-lined walks, splendid parks, lakes and superb statues including that of Queen Victoria is an awesome reminder of the Raj, and is a treasure trove of Raj Relics including a piano that was played by Queen Victoria when she was a young girl. Built in Italian Renaissance cum Saracenic style, Victoria Memorial was planned by Lord Curzon and inaugurated by the Prince of Wales in 1921.

The Maidan
This huge expanse of green space, originally designed as the most imposing feature of Fort William constitutes the lungs of Kolkata. Located in the heart of the city this vast green park is a pqpular destination for joggers, morning walkers and tourists. Many of Kolkata's sporting clubs have their tent offices in the Maidan area. The fort is still in use and is off .limits to visitors.

Kali Temple

The original temple is said to have been built more than 350 years ago. A legend goes that when the Sudarshan Chakra one of her fingers fell here destroyed Sati, Lord Siva’s consort. It is a great pilgrimage site of the Hindus and is situated at Kalighat by the side of Tolly's Nullah. Thanthania Kali temple on College Street and Firingee Kali Bari on Bowbajar Street are also places of Hindu worship.

MP Biela Planetarium
The MP Birla Planetarium is located on the eastern side of the Maidan in the Chowringhee area of Kolkata. This planetarium is one of the largest in the world and an ideal spot for a bit of respite from the hustle-bustle of the Kolkata streets. Ail ideal place to sit back and relax and take in a spectacular view of the Kolkata skies, though now clouded by pollution.

Eden Garden
The Eden Gardens are often referred to as India's foremost in cricket. The enthusiastic and excitable temperament of the Bengali fan who descends in hordes has probably helped it gain this reputation. Named after Lord Auckland's sister, the Eden Gardens used to be a lush green area covered by trees and gardens.

The area also has a tiny Burmese pagoda set in a small lake. Just west of the gardens is a pleasant spot for walking or cruising along the Hooghly River. South of the Maidan is the well-established zoo and beyond that, the peaceful Horticultural Gardens.

Botanical Gardens
To get to this garden whicl! is located on the banks of river Hooghly one has to cross the river. Created by Col. Alexander of the East India Company as a pleasure retreat in July 1786, the gardens sprawl over 272 acres of land. The gardens house over 35,000 varieties of flora and fauna. The main attractions are a 250 year old banyan tree with one of the widest canopies in the world and the gigantic leaves of the Victoria Amazonica lily.

Marble Palace
The Marble Palace, a fantastic piece of architecture built by Rajendra Mallik is located in north Kolkata. Formerly called the Palace of Arts it was named Marble Palace by Lord Minto. Part of the extensive baroque garden was devoted to a menagerie of birds and animals - Calcutta's first zoo. The palace has a huge collection of artefacts.

EXCURSIONS
Nabadwip and Mayapur
Nabadwip, 114 km north of Kolkata has an important Hare Krishna pilgrimage centre. The town attracts devotees from all over the country to its many temples. An ancient centre for Sanskrit culture, the last Hindu king of Bengal had his capital here. Across the river at Mayapur is the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), where budget accommodation can also be found. Tours to Nabadwip and Mayapur are organised from Kolkata during the winter.

Shantiniketan
Bengal's revered poet, writer, artist and nationalist Rabindranath Tagore spent a large part of his life at Shantiniketan. This peaceful town, famed for its Visvabharati University is 200 km northwest of Kolkata. The university was set up in 1901 by Tagore and has been a centre of much cultural and artistic activity.

Sunderbans Wildlife Sanctuary

The Sunderbans Wildlife Sanctuary lies south of Kolkata, where the Ganga with its innumerable tributaries form the largest delta of the world. This vast mangrove swamp is a world heritage site, and stretches well into Bangladesh.
The Sunderbans are home to the Royal Bengal Tiger. Though the big cats are notoriously shy, sighting a tiger in its natural environs is a thrilling experience. The Sunderbans are accessible only by waterways. Motor launch facilities are available all year round.The ideal time to visit the Sunderbans is during the months of September and May. In winter the Royal Bengal Tiger can occasionally be seen sun-bathing on 'the river banks.