Kolkata is the second largest city of India. It is a cosmopolitan city where people, technology and ideas have blended together with the socio-political culture to give the city a new shape. The city is full of historical monuments and palaces and is therefore also called the “City of Palaces”. Its glorious history dates back to 1690 when it was selected by the British for their trade settlements. The site was carefully chosen by the British as it was protected by the Hooghly River on the west, a creek on the north, and by salt lakes about two and a half miles to the east.
Today, this pulsating city with its distinct imperial flavor has become the capital of West Bengal, a state of the Indian Union. Kolkata provides enormous opportunities in economy, industry, education, culture, tourism and many more aspects that other cities may not.
Kolkata’s rich culture and artistic thought among people has made it an appropriate place for cultural-sadhana. Kolkata is believed to be the birth place of Modern Indian literature from where Rabindranath Tagore belongs. People of Kolkata belong to diverse and ethnic social backgrounds. Festivals in a multidimensional scale are observed in spiritual ecstasy. The city becomes a lively place during Durga Puja (a Hindu festival) when the sound of Dhak, Dhunuchi nachh, the mild fragrance of Shiuli, gives a familiar tug in every Bengali heart.
Drama and theatres are essential parts of the Bengali culture. There are big and small theatre groups in the city featuring large outdoor stage plays. Music and dances are also integral parts of the Bengali culture. Bengalis are closely associated with Rabindra Sangeet, Rabindra Nritya Natya (songs and song-dance sequences composed by Tagore) and Nazrul Geeti (songs by Kazi Nazrul Islam). Folk dances and songs are also popular in the city.
People of Kolkata are fond of Bhaat (rice) and Macher jhol (fish curry). The city offers a wide range of dishes and cuisines with variety of tastes. Kolkata’s wide range of sweets can leave you quite winded. Don’t miss the charm of Kolkata Rassagolla (a kind of sweet) while visiting Kolkata.
Kolkata lies in the tropic zone and hence the climate in Kolkata is also tropical. Tropical regions are the areas of the Earth where the sun reaches a point directly overhead at least once a year. During summer season the climate becomes very hot and humid. The city’s annual mean temperature is 26.8 °C and monthly mean temperatures varies from 19 °C to 30 °C. The maximum temperature of the city during summer (April-June) exceeds 40°C while minimum temperature during winter (December and January) reaches 12°C. The highest temperature recorded is 43°C and the lowest is 5°C.
The city experiences the southern monsoon between June and September during which heavy rains lash the city. This is the season when the city gets most of its annual rainfall. Kolkata is among the most polluted cities of the world with high level of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) in the atmosphere creating a major health hazard.
The best time to visit the city is between September and March. During this period the skies are clear and the climatic condition is favorable for the tourists.
Kolkata being one of the important cities of India is well connected by air, rail and road.
By Air
Kolkata has an international airport known as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport which is located at Dum Dum. The airport operates both domestic and international flights. Major cities of the world are connected to Kolkata with regular flights.Major Indian cities are also connected to Kolkata with domestic air carriers like Air Sahara, Spicejet, Deccan Airlines and Kingfisher Airlines etc.
By Rail
Kolkata has a well maintained railway network connecting major parts of the country. The city is the headquarters of both the railway divisions – the Eastern Railways and the South Eastern Railways. The city has two major railway stations; the Howrah Station for south eastern rail network and the Sealdah Station for eastern rail network.
Since Howrah and Sealdah are under separate rail networks, do remember to check which station you need you board your train from, while buying your ticket. Local trains are also available from both the stations for traveling to different parts of West Bengal.
By Road
Traveling by bus in Kolkata is not comfortable. However buses from Orissa and Bihar ply regularly to Kolkata. Buses are also available to nearby towns, especially if you wish to visit Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri on your trip to Kolkata. Bus stands at Chowringhee Road and Babu Ghat near Fort William are the main junctions where buses run to different destinations. |
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