India - Kolkata - A city of joys and merriment 09.11.2013

Kolkata

Kolkata is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. It is also the commercial capital of East India, located on the east bank of the Hooghly River. The city of Kolkata has 4.5 million residents, and the metropolitan area, including suburbs, has a population of approximately 15.7 million, making it the third most populous metropolitan area in India and the 13th most populous urban area in the world. The city is also classified as the eighth largest urban agglomeration in the world. Kolkata was the capital of India during British emperor. The city's documented history, however, begins with the arrival of the English East India Company in 1690, when the Company was consolidating its trade business in Bengal. Job Charnock, an administrator with the company was traditionally credited as the founder of the city. In 2003 high court order states that the city should not have a specific founder. While the city's name was always pronounced "Kolkata" in the local Bengali language, its official English name was changed from "Calcutta" to "Kolkata" in 2001, reflecting the Bengali pronunciation. Some view this as a move to erase the legacy of British rule.

Kolkata Art & Culture Kolkata has long been known for its literary, artistic and revolutionary heritage. As the former capital of India, Kolkata was the birthplace of modern Indian literary, artistic and scholastic thought. The people of Kolkata tends to have a special appreciation for art and literature; its tradition of welcoming new talent has made it a "city of furious creative energy. For these reasons, Kolkata has often been dubbed as the Cultural Capital of India or the Literary Capital of India. Cultural extravaganza in Kolkata include : Para, Adda, and "club" Culture Literature Dramas and Theatres Art Cuisine Music Cinema How to Reach Kolkata is completely accessible by air. There are a number of domestic airlines that connect Kolkata with other major cities of India. Kolkata is well linked to other parts of the country by railways. The city of joy is well linked with almost all the cities of India by road.                                        Sites Dalhousie Square College Street Esplanade BurraBazar Read More... Nearby Places Sundarbans Digha Mandarmani Chandernagore Read More... Attractions & Activities Art & Culture Museums Heritage Buildings Nightlife Read More... Science Museums Birla Planetarium Science City Esplanade Read More... Religious Sites Dakhineshawar St.Paul's Cathedral Nakhoda Mosque Jain Temple Read More... Theme/Water Parks Nicco Park Nalban Boating Complex Aquatica Wet-O-Wild Read More... Shopping New Market Flower market City Centre Shree Ram Arcade Read More... Nightlife Tantra Roxy Park Street Hindustan Club Read More... Accomodation Government Lodge - Udayachal Tourist Lodge Numerous Private Star Hotels Private Budget Hotels and Guest houses