Belur Math es una maravilla arquitectónica, situada en la orilla occidental del río Hooghly. Se destacan varias cúpulas ubicadas de manera muz estética, y se trata de la sede de Ramakrishna Math y la Misión Ramakrishna. Las dos instituciones se dedican al movimiento espirutual "Vedanta", y promueven la armonía más allá de la religión y las fronteras. Ramakrishna Math es una comunidad monástica y la Misión Ramakrishna es una organización filantrópica, y juntas cuentan con 171 sedes en toda India y otras partes del mundo. Dentro de Belur Math, hay templos en honor a Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Sarada Devi y Swami Vivekananda, todos ellos tienen distintos estilos arquitectónicos y diferentes detalles religiosos. Swami Vivekananda, quien supervisó la construcción del complejo religioso, utilizó símbolos del cristianismo, el islam y el hinduismo, en honor al mensaje de Ramakrishna. El complejo de 16 hectáreas tambbién alberga el Museo Ramakrishna y una librería. Belur Math fue construido en 1938, y es el destino de peregrinación más importante de Calcuta, muy concurrido, junto con el Templo Dakshineshwar Kali, Path Bari y Kancher Mandir. Se pueden visitar todos ellos utilizando el servicio de Jetty, disponible justo en la puerta de Belur Math.
La ciudad de Calcuta se encuentra íntimamente ligada a la Madre Teresa, por lo que este es un lugar muy importante para cualquier turista que visite la ciudad. El edificio es la Casa y Museo de la Madre Teresa, y la sede de la congregación de las Misioneras de la Caridad, que fue su visión para atender y brindar esperanza y amor a los más necesitados. Hasta el día de hoy, las hermanas de la caridad, vestidas con los típicos saris blancos con bordes azules, continúan con el legado de la Madre Teresa. Los visitantes pueden mostrar su respeto ante la tumba de la Madre Teresa, y también visitar el museo que exhibe objetos de su vida diaria, como calzado o recipientes usados por ella, que reflejan su sencillez. Este lugar evoca paz y muchas otras emociones, y permite aprender un poco sobre la vida de uno de los seres humanos más bondadosos de la historia.
Eden Gardens is not only an integral part of Kolkata city, but is also an important landmark in the International cricket map. The stadium is named after the adjoining Eden Gardens. Right from 1864, it has seen cricket records being made and broken by iconic players. What makes this stadium exclusive from its counterparts is the passion of the crowds towards the game. The player's concentration is almost put to test amidst the loud cheer and noise. Though the unruly behavior of the fans has resulted in match disruptions, this stadium still remains a favorite among all cricketers. Notable performances at Eden Gardens include bowler Harbhajan Singh's hat-trick against the Australians in 2000-01 and the 281 runs scored by VVS Laxman, in the same season, which is the highest individual score recorded at this ground. Try and visit Eden Gardens during a match to feel the excitement in the air.
Established in 1959, Birla Industrial & Technological Museum is a parent body to all Science Centers and Museums under the National Council of Science Museums and holds the distinction of being the first Science and Industrial museum in the country. BITM started as a hardcore museum documenting the history of scientific growth with galleries of Communication, Iron & Steel, Popular Science, Transport, Electronics and TV. However, to keep up with the rapid progress of science and technology, it is now a full-fledged Science Center with an aim to inculcate in visitors the basic principles of science. While it retains the original galleries, BITM has introduced a myriad interactive exhibits and educational shows like Fun Science Show, Science Magic Show, Fascinating Physics show, etc. Although the vast contents of this museum would help any visitor, children and students are the main target audience here. The science center also organizes a number of events throughout the year including lectures, seminars and exhibitions that cover important and relevant topics. Check website for details on daily shows, student tours etc.
When you stand in front of the building, you are bound to wonder why the academy needs such a high-storied structure to operate from. But once you step inside, any such questions are rightfully and aesthetically, laid to rest. Established in 1967, the Birla Academy of Art & Culture has been a staunch proponent of the arts in Kolkata. The museum within the academy has a number of collections including Indian, international and contemporary paintings as well as sculptures. However, most of its eleven floors are usually occupied by interesting temporary exhibitions and fairs. The library is well-equipped with a number of resources on various forms of art and culture. Apart from this, the academy also frequently organizes cultural events as well as educational lectures, seminars and summer classes on art. An annually held event called Kala Mela is aimed at showcasing upcoming local artists. Located right next to Lake Kalibari, you will always find something that piques your interest at this art hub!
La diosa hindú Kali es una parte esencial de Calcuta y su gente, y el Templo Dakshineswar Kali es uno de los sitios religiosos más importantes de Bengala Occidental. El complejo es de un tradicional estilo bengalí Navaratna con 9 espiras en honor a Kali y sus muchas representaciones, y a Bhavatarini en particular. En los alrededores del templo principal, se encuentran muchos otros templos más pequeños, incluyendo nueve templos de Shiva y el Templo Radha Krishna. En el templo se destacan los colores rojos y amarillos, y los peregrinos vestidos de todos colores completan la interesante y cargada paleta de la escena. También es conocido por haber sido el hogar del líder y maestro espiritual Rama Krishna Paramahansa, durante un periodo de tiempo, y en el patio hay una estatua del responsable de la construcción del templo, Rani Rashmoni. El templo tiene una estructura muy elegante, y cuenta con un estacionamiento para recibir a la concurrencia habitual de fieles. El río Hooghly y el puente Vivekananda Setu son el telón de fondo para este hermoso templo, que es muy reconocido por su profunda devoción por el místico Ramakrishna. Se erige orgullosamente al final de una escalera, es visitado por una gran cantidad de peregrinos por día, y es muy concurrido, la mayor parte del tiempo.
Mohun Bagan Athletic Club Ground was opened as a multipurpose stadium in 1963. The stadium is owned by Mohan Bagan, a reputed football club of India. Though the ground is solely used as a practice ground, it has hosted several fixtures between recognized football teams, one of them being Mohan Bagan vs FC Ararat, which was part of 1978 IFA Shield Final. As the stadium is one of the oldest, it is viewed as a heritage stadium in Kolkata and has undergone renovations a number of times. The stadium has three arcades, out of which one has cushion seats, and is reserved for the members of the club. It is a great source of recreation for the locals and also serves as a play ground for people.
Capital of the state of West Bengal, Kolkata rises from the banks of the River Hooghly and has historically been an important trade hub. The British East India Company chose the city precisely for this reason and it served as the capital of India during the British Raj until 1911, after which the capital shifted to Delhi. Few places are the remnants of British colonialism more evident than in Kolkata's wide boulevards and imposing public buildings. As the seat of 'Bengal Renaissance' during the British Raj, Kolkata produced many gurus such as Rabindranath Tagore. Master filmmaker Satyajit Ray is another notable figure who catapulted the city into the spotlight. This artistic legacy continues at venues like Nandan and Rabindra Sadan, that organize various events spanning music, art, literature, dance, and film. Kolkata is also widely known for the amazing range of food offered, both fine dining and street food. Landmarks include attractions like Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Dakshineswar Kali Temple and Belur Math, markets like New Market and detail Kumartuli and landmarks like Vidyasagar Setu and Howrah Bridge.
Asutosh Museum of Indian Art is the only museum which is located within the main campus of University of Calcutta. It was established in the year 1937. Some of the noteworthy things in the museum are YAKSHINI with PANCHACHUDA Terracotta Chandraketugarh, YAKSHINI Terracotta Bangarh, SURYA Black Basalt Kasipur and Portrait Head Black Basalt Agradigun. In the year 1959, the University of Calcutta started a Postgraduate Diploma Course in Museology. The museum itself functions as a laboratory for this course. The objective of the museum is to collect and preserve various specimens of different phases of Indian art. It gives special emphasis on the art of Bengal.
The city of Kolkata has many prestigious educational institutes, Hindu School being one of them. The school's reputation has been built over the years with precious contributions and efforts of renowned educationalists like Maharaja Radhakanta Deb, David Hare, Diwan Baidya Nath Mukherjee. The school has always maintained an unconventional and futuristic approach towards education; back in 1817, when all schools stressed on textbook approach to studies, Hindu School adopted a practical approach to learning. Modern teaching practices were blended with traditional methods, thus exposing the students to a broader spectrum. What distinguished Hindu school from its counterparts is the fact that, it was an English Medium school. With such a great history, Hindu school is surely one of the premier schools in India. Currently, it is a boys school that offers education from classes I – XII. While in Kolkata, do visit this school, that changed and modernized the Indian education system.