Steeped in history with a rich heritage, if one word describes Calcutta best it is movement. There are bustling crowds everywhere. Despite the chaos visitors fall in love with this great city, the City of Joy as Dominic Lapierre called it. Mother Theresa made it her home bringing solace to thousands. Satyajit Ray made his famous movies here. Calcutta has the distinction of being home to four noble laureates Ronald Ross, Rabindranath Tagore, Mother Theresa and Amartya Sen. Avant garde movements in theatre, cinema, science and industry began here.
Calcutta on the Hoogly, you either love it or you don't. Job Charnock, the East India Company's Agent who reached it loved it and founded the city in 1690. At one time the capital of Imperial India (till it was moved to Delhi) it was the Empire's second city after London. The old buildings of Calcutta speak of an era gone by. Dalhouise Square is all set for restoration, as is the Victoria Memorial.
To admire the architectural mosaic of Calcutta walk along Chowringhee with the Maidan across the road leading to Fort William, the citadel built by the British in 1772. On the Southern fringe of the Maidan rises the Victoria Memorial inaugurated by the then Prince of Wales in 1921 and dedicated to Queen Victoria. It has a fantastic collection of Raj memorabilia. See a sound and light show here in the evenings. The Indian Museum, built in 1875, is the largest in the country with a fine collection. Raj Bhawan modeled on Lord Curzon's English home Keddleston Hall, once the abode of Viceroys, is now the home of the Governor of Bengal. The Town Hall built in 1813 is in Doric style. The High Court Building completed in 1872 is in Gothic style based on Staadhans at Ypres Belgium. Take a trip to the Botanical Gardens to see the ancient Banyan tree among other rare trees and orchids. Visit Dakshineshwar temple, Belur Math the headquarters of the Ramakrishna mission. A visit to Eden Gardens is a must if there is a cricket match in progress, no stadium can pack in so many enthusiastic cheering fans. Saint Johns Church (1787), St Pauls Cathedral (1839) The Armenian Church (1764) Saint Andrews Church, the Greek Orthodox Church, Maghen David Synagogue, Parsi Fire temple, Japanese Buddhist temple all speak of the cosmopolitan nature of the city. All festivals are celebrated with gaiety - Diwali, Holi, Id and Christmas. The festival which enjoys pride of place is Durga Puja when huge pandals (pavilion) come up all over Calcutta and the whole city becomes a festive stage. Those lucky to be in Calcutta, September or October (depending on the lunar configuration) get a chance to really experience Calcutta. With all its contrasts and chaos Calcutta still remains a city with a soul. Calcuttans know how to savour the good things of life, whether it is music, art, literature, culture or food. So make a trip to Calcutta, culture shock notwithstanding you will learn to love it and are sure to return.