Once you enter the Esplanade area, you're sure to notice this towering monument. The tallest in this part of Kolkata, Shaheed Minar peeps out through the criss-cross of tram cables that are all over the skyline. Built by the East India Company to celebrate its victory at the Gurkha War in 1816, it was earlier known as the Ochterlony Monument, honoring the Company's commander in chief David Ochterlony. It was later renamed as Shaheed Minar to commemorate those who lost their lives during India's freedom struggle. Around the minar, you will find a number of street hawkers that sell everything from puchkas (a local specialty) to nariyal pani (coconut water). The monument stands at a height of 158 feet and the top can be reached if you feel fit to climb the steep staircase. At night, the beautifully lit up tower vies for attention as you walk along some of the central roads.
After the Nawab of Bengal Siraj Ud Daulah conquered the first Fort William in 1756, the British East India Company planned to build a second invulnerable fort. Spearheaded by Robert Clive, the Company reconquered the Fort. Later in 1780, the New Fort was constructed on its current site and the surrounding green space came to be known as Maidan. Named after King William III, the Fort stretches across a total area of 532 bighas and has six different gates. Today, the massive construction remains largely unchanged and is used as the military headquarters for the Eastern Command. Situated close to the banks of the Hooghly, the main structure has an irregular octagonal shape and is surrounded by a 9 meter deep and 15 meter wide moat. Inside, the fort is equipped with its own golf course, post office, auditorium, stadium, swimming pool and gym. It also houses the Command Museum and Library. Civilians are only allowed inside the premises on presenting an official approval from the Commanding Officer. On the eastern end of the Fort William are monuments like Victoria Memorial and St. Paul's Cathedral Church.
Located in a predominantly residential area, Triangular Park is frequently used for morning walks by locals. Shaped like a triangle, the space also has a park for children within it. The park benches, placed next to each other, are often used by passersby as a resting spot. During Durga Puja (Bengali Festival), however, the park takes on its avatar as an important venue. The decorated pandal that is an essential during the festival gives this park a whole new dimension, as it becomes a hub for celebration, even if it is for a short period of time. At other times of the year also Triangular Park is used for local fairs and events.
With the statue of Swami Vivekananda right at its center and the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture in the background, Golpark is a name that helps determine your location in the city. Situated in the Lake Gardens area, this is a big green patch that marks the intersection of the Gariahat Road, Dr. Meghnad Saha Road and Nani Mukherjee Road. Golpark is named so because of its round shape; gol in Hindi means circular. Although it can't exactly be classified as a park in the traditional sense of the word, it does serve as an important landmark of the city. Considering you're traveling from the center of the city, you can use this as a marker to go to Rabindra Sarovar and Nazrul Mancha on your right, 6 Ballygunge Place and other Ballygunge eateries on your left and straight down on Gariahat Road to reach southern neighborhoods like Dhakuria, Jodhpur Park and Jadavpur.
Inaugurated in December 1999 and accordingly christened, Millennium Park is another stretch of green adding to the likes of Maidan and Kolkata Race Course in the city center. Situated along the banks of the Hooghly River on Strand Road, this is an amusement park to children and a place to relax for adults. A promenade along the length of the park, lined with benches at regular intervals, offers a clear view of the river and the constant flow of activity across it. Although the children's rides are limited to the usual merry-go-rounds and swings, the beautiful greenery surrounding it adds to the pleasure factor. Plan a trip to Millennium Park in the evening so you can watch the Hooghly and the changing Kolkata skyline as the day turns into night.
Kalighat Kali Temple's legend is rooted in Indian mythology; it is said to be the site where Sati or Shakti's toes fell during Shiva's Rudra Tandava (an allegorical depiction of violent nature). The temple you see standing today at the end of Kalighat is about 200 years old, built with the help of the Sabarna Roy Chowdhary family. The historical temple stays crowded throughout the week, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays; a tour of this temple is always hectic, but Wednesdays and Thursdays are probably the best days to visit if you want a somewhat peaceful experience. There is a large corridor filled with Puja shops outside the temple. Around the temple are also other spots like Sosthi Tala, Harkath Tala (a site used for holy animal sacrifice), Radha-Krishna Temple and Kundurpukur (a large sacred tank situated behind the main Kali Temple). Photography is strictly prohibited inside the temple. Touts standing outside may not be affiliated with the temple, but manage to ensure a quick darshan (viewing) of Goddess Kali and the other sites around it.