Top Most Places in Kolkata to Spend the First Day of the Year

  • Travel
  • Riya
  • Dec 31,2020
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1. Victoria Memorial

Another relic of the British Raj in India, the Victoria Memorial is found within the heart of Kolkata, in West Bengal. This white marbled opulent structure was built in memory of Queen Victoria to celebrate her 25 years of rule over India and is almost a replica of the Victoria Memorial in London. The memorial is surrounded by a lush green and well-maintained garden, which spreads over 64 acres and has numerous statues and sculptures in it. A sixteen-foot tall bronze statue of victory, mounted on ball bearings at the highest of the memorial, serves to heighten the general appeal and grandeur of the whole complex. All in all, the place is a must-visit for people to wish to relive the essence of the Victorian era in the modern-day world.

 

2. Birla Planetarium

Birla planetarium is the largest planetarium in Asia and the second largest in the world! It is situated at the famous Chowringhee Road right in the proximity of Victoria Memorial and St. Paul’s Cathedral in the city of joy – Kolkata. Birla Planetarium is a magnificent edifice set up by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on 2nd July 1963. Also known as Taramandal, the Birla Planetarium regularly holds many shows and programs are in various languages including Hindi, English, Bengali, and other regional languages. In addition to being a planetarium, Birla Planetarium also features an electronics laboratory and an astronomy gallery that has a collection of paintings and astronomical models. A visit to the Birla Planetarium is an exciting way to ignite your interest in science and the motion of planets.

 

3. Indian Museum

The ninth oldest museum of the planet and largest in India, the Indian Museum is found within the city of joy – Kolkata. Popularly referred to as ‘Jadughar‘, it’s the best collection of up to date paintings, sacred relics of Buddha, Egyptian mummies, and ancient sculptures. The Indian Museum also boasts of a number of the foremost exquisite collections of ornaments, fossils, skeletons, antiques, armors, and stunning Mughal paintings. The museum has 35 galleries which are divided into six categories namely Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology, and Economic Botany. For those inquisitive about history, there is also a library and bookshop present within the museum premises.

 

4. Science City

Science City is one among the best and therefore the largest science museums within the world and provides a fun way of learning science. It is located at the crossing of the EM Bypass and therefore the JBS Halder Avenue in Kolkata. The science city may be a perfect blend of education with fun. There is a special section dedicated to the aquatic world wherein you’ll learn every minute detail about the varied fishes and insects within the aquatic world. Some of the foremost exotic fishes are often seen in these aquariums. All in all, the science city is going to offer you a phenomenal experience with your friends and family and totally make your holiday worth it.

 

5. Belur Math

Belur Math in Kolkata is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. Sprawling over forty acres of land on the west bank of the Hooghly River, it is visited by people from all over the world, irrespective of their religious beliefs. The temple is understood for its distinctive architecture, which fuses Hindu, Christian, and Islamic motifs as a logo of the unity of all religions. Founded by Swami Vivekananda, the chief disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa, the temple is at the heart of the Ramakrishna Movement. The temple complex also houses a museum and several other affiliated educational institutions. The evening Aarti takes place at 5:30 PM. Visitors are not allowed to visit any temple other than Sri Ramakrishna temple.

 

6. Jorasanko Thakur Bari

The Bengali name for the House of the Thakurs, the Jorasanko Thakur Bari is that the ancestral home of the Tagore family that’s located in Jorasanko, within the north of Kolkata in West Bengal in India. This is a pleasant and exciting place to go to, especially for lovers of history and Bengali literature. The 700 paintings that are exhibited during this ancestral home especially capture the eye of the visitors. What enthralls them, even more, is that the self-composed invite of Rabindranath Tagore’s wedding. The museum also houses three different galleries, manuscripts, books, and other antique items. The Rabindra Bharti University is additionally located in proximity to the Jorasanko Thakur Bari.

 

7. Botanical Gardens

The Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, better referred to as the arboretum, maybe a sprawling garden spanning a complete area of 273 acres that’s located in Shibpur, Howrah, near Kolkata. The vibrant garden is considered to be one of the most stunning landscaped gardens in the entire country with undulating land topography and astonishing artificial lakes. The arboretum boasts of being home to 12,000 living perennial plants also like thousands of dried out plants which are collected from all across the world. The major attraction of the garden, however, is the vast and widespread Banyan tree, which is popularly known as the Great Banyan Tree. This enormous tree is reputed for forming the second most extensive canopy in the entire world. It is a pure delight for nature lovers to go to this area and to spend some quiet and peaceful time within the lap of nature at the gardens.

 

8. Alipore Zoo

The Alipore Zoo also referred to as the Calcutta Zoo or the menagerie of Alipore, is that the oldest zoological park to possess been established in India and maybe a major tourist attraction in Kolkata, West Bengal. The Alipore Zoo attracts tourists from all across the state who visit the zoo to explore the wildlife that thrives here. The Alipore Zoo is probably the foremost known for being the house of the expired Aldabra tortoise ‘Adwaita’, a tortoise who had lived for over 250 years before he died in the year 2006. The place may be a must-visit for nature enthusiasts, or for families with children, to explore the abundant and plentiful wildlife of the country at its best. The Alipore Zoo becomes especially crowded during the winter seasons when tourists flock to the present popular destination in Kolkata in huge numbers. Modernization of the zoo, including the addition of new glass-walled enclosures and the building of aviaries, has further led to an increase in the popularity of this zoo.

 

9. Eco-Tourism Park

Eco-Tourism Park in Kolkata is an expansive urban park designed to market eco-tourism within the city. It is the most important urban park in India and occupies over 475 acres of land. The beauty of the situation increases ten folds due to a water body that surrounds the park and forms an island within the middle. The beautiful and well-maintained landscape may be a perfect retreat for nature lovers. All the facilities provided inside the park are designed to decrease the adverse effects on nature through non-pollution and preservation of the natural landscape. It has three major parts – the ecological zones, the gardens, and therefore the recreational zones making it an ideal getaway to relax and unwind. They have some activities that visitors can choose from to suit their requirements. They also have cottages and conference halls that can be rented for personal or business needs.

 

10. Nicco Park

Nicco Park is a funfair, frequently visited for entertainment and recreational purposes. It is also called the “Disney Land of West Bengal” and attracts visitors in large numbers throughout the year. The park functions efficiently on solar energy that causes no pollution. Every aspect of the rides here is appropriately explained at the beginning for the visitors to learn. So, one will find charts and boards displayed at the doorway of each ride illustrating the principles wont to ensure a secure and fun ride. The park has numerous amusement rides and shows which aren’t just recreational but educational also. It is, therefore, a favorite amongst parents and youngsters who often prefer the attraction as a picnic spot. It is the first amusement park in India that has obtained recognition from the Quality Management System, Safety Management System, and Environment Management System. Those looking for an entertaining, educational, and recreational escape must head to Nicco Park.

 

11. Snow Park

Snow Park is situated within the Axis Mall in Newtown Kolkata and maybe a beautiful rendition of a funfair covered in white snowflakes. It is especially popular among the town dwellers who don’t experience real snowstorms ever within the plain area. The park also has thrilling rides for both kids and adults.