Kolkata/Maidan
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Maidan is a district of Kolkata. In the heart of the city, the 400-ha park stretches from the Hooghly river in the West to Chowringhee and Park Street in the East. Giving the name to this area is the huge, lush, green, open parkland.
Get In
By metro
Both the Maidan and Park Street stations are conveniently located.
By bus
Buses are available.
See
- Fort William. In the early 18th century, a dense jungle was cut down to build the fort, after the earlier mud defense was destroyed in 1756. The present fort, an irregular squat octagon was completed in 1733. Today, it is the headquarters of the Indian Army's Eastern Command and is unfortunately not open to the public.
- Victoria Memorial Queen's Way Metro: Maidan +91 33 2223-5142 Tu-Su 5.30AM to 6.45PM, Son et Lumière (English) 7.15PM Oct-Feb and 7.45PM Mar-Jun Rs 150 The city's most celebrated landmark, this monument was built to imperial sel-confidence was the brainchild of Lord Curzon, one of India's most flamboyant Viceroys. The domed structure was completed in 1921 with marble used from Makrana. Now a museum, the Victoria Memorial's 25 galleries are spread over 2 different floors. The collection covers a fascinating selection of Raj memorabilia, and includes the Calcutta Gallery with oil paintings and watercolors of the city's history. Do not miss the grand Durbar Hall, inside which lies a statue of Lord Cornwallis.
- St. Paul's Cathedral. The largest Anglican church in Kolkata.
- Birla Planetarium, 96, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, [1]. one of the oldest Planetaria in India. The only planetarium in the country whose dome houses a collection of projectors and optical equipment expensively imported from East Germany. It is the largest planetarium in South-East Asia and the second largest in the world. Daily shows in English, Hindi and Bengali.
- Park Street cemetery - the final resting place for early British traders and settlers.
- Eden Gardens (one of the most famous cricket stadiums in the world),
- Calcutta Racecourse
Buy
- Earthcare Books, 10 Middleton Street. Tel:+91 3 2229-6551. A wonderful independent bookstore tucked away in an alley leading from Middleton Street. As the name suggests, the bookstore specializes in environmental titles, but also has a wide range on local subjects and poetry.
Eat
Quite a few restaurants are sprinkled around Park Street and the neighboring roads that fall into this catergory, serving various cuisines.
- Flury's 18 Park St +91 33 2229-7664 Tu-Su 7AM-8PM, Mo 10AM-6PM Drinks Rs 30 and above, Meals Rs 150-300. Originally built as an old British tea-room, Flury's is one of the most stylish cafes in Calcutta. There is a pastry tray where you can select any pastry that you wish. It's quite expensive by Calcutta standards.
- Kwality 17 Park St next to Oxford Mains from Rs 150 This popular joint has been around for years with sharply dressed waiters serving pretty tasty tandoori and north Indian food to well-off locals.
- Peter Cat 18 Park St beside Flury's +91 33 33 2229-8841 Dishes Rs 100-150 Very popular for its chello kababs, but apparently outside of that it's mediocre and service is said to be horrible. Serves Indian, tandoori and Continental fare.
- Drive Inn 10 Middleton Street +91 33 2217-2247 meals from around Rs 70+An outddor restaurant offering a wide range of vegetarian fare
Sleep
Mid range
Splurge
- The Park Hotel 17 Park Street +91 33 2249 3121 +91 33 2249 7343 http://www.theparkhotels.com/calcutta_home.htm Bang in the heart of the city and super stylish.
Related Information
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