Victoria Memorial

Queen Victoria who remained Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland since June 20, 1837 and Empress of India since May 1, 1876 passed away on January 22, 1901. Following her demise, Lord Curzon conceived the idea of constructing a colossal and grand building where one and all can have a glimpse of the rich past. The foundation stone of the monument was laid on January 4, 1906 and on 1921 the memorial was opened to public

Victoria Memorial

William Emerson, the then president of the Royal Institute of British Architects was the chief architect of the memorial that was designed in Indo-Saracenic revivalist style. The style encompassed a blend of British architectural style with that of Egyptian, Venetian, Deccani, Mughal and other Islamic styles. Build of Makrana marble brought from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, it measures 103 m by 69 m with a height of 56 m.

Victoria Memorial

There are 25 galleries inside the memorial including the royal gallery, the sculpture gallery and the Calcutta gallery among others. Several portraits of Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and oil paintings portraying different moments of their lives are displayed in the royal gallery.

Illuminated Victoria memorial at night

Over the years, the memorial has not only emerged as one of the most famous tourist destinations of Kolkata but has also remained a favourite spot for family and friends apart from holding a special place for lovebirds. As night falls, lighting of the Victoria Memorial makes it look even more mesmerizing.

Illuminated Victoria memorial at night

The Victoria Memorial is possibly the most awesome reminder of the Raj to be found in India. This huge white-marble museum, made from Makrana marbles from Rajasthan, is filled with a vast collection of remnants from the period of British Empire rule in India.

Illuminated Victoria memorial at night

The Victoria Memorial Hall is one of the most magnificent monuments of not only the city of Calcutta but of our entire country. Representing the resplendent and majestic British architecture, Victoria Memorial Hall stands today, as a veritable icon of the city of Kolkata

Illuminated Victoria memorial at night

The sixteen foot tall black bronze statue mounted at the top of the great dome with large ball bearings is the figure of “Angel of Victory” that rotates with wind.

Illuminated Victoria memorial at night

The Exquisite Victoria Memorial Is Steeped In The Colonial History Of Calcutta

Illuminated Shaheed Minar (Ochterlony Monument)

The 48 meter high Shaheed Minar, popularly called the “Monument” is a prominent landmark of Kolkata. Established in the year 1848, it was named Ochtorloney Monument to honour, Sir David Ochterlony who served in the Nepal War (1814 – 1816). In 1969, this Ochterlony Monument received its new name ‘Shahid Minar’, which means “Martyr’s Tower” to honour the sacrifice of Indian freedom fighters.

Illuminated Shaheed Minar (Ochterlony Monument)

The architecture of Shaheed Minar shows a brilliant blend of Egyptian, Syrian and Turkish style of designing.

Shaheed Minar

Its characteristic design and size has drawn the attention of many, including Mark Twain who dubbed it as the ‘cloud kissing monument.’ However, the structure’s history remains just as interesting as its architecture.

Prinsep Ghat

The man, who has been honoured by this Palladian porch, was James Prinsep. Prinsep Ghat was built in 1843 in his memory,

Prinsep Ghat

Prinsep Ghat, located on the banks of River Hooghly, is a majestic structure famous for its Greek/ Gothic inlays. The beauty of Princep Ghat draws architecture and history buffs in large numbers,

Princep Ghat

Princep Ghat is also a hotspot of the youth seeking a quiet space to hangout. The cool, breezy atmosphere provides a good setting for a peaceful time by the river

Vidyasagar Setu

Vidyasagar Setu is the longest cable-stayed bridge in India and one of the longest in Asia with a total length of 823 metres (2,700 ft). Construction began on 1979, and the bridge was commissioned on 1992 by the Hooghly River Bridge Commission. The bridge is used by around 30,000 vehicles daily, considerably less than the bridge's capacity of 85,000.

Vidyasagar Setu in the glory of sunset light

River boat ride on the Ganges

Illuminated Vidyasagar Setu

When the bridge is commissioned on 1992, it became the longest span bridge of this type in the world. At that time it was the first cable-stayed bridge in India, the largest in Asia and the third largest in the world.

The pride of Hooghly River, Vidyasagar Setu

Illuminated Howrah Bridge

Howrah Bridge has recently completed 75 years of service to connect twin Indian cities of Kolkata and Howrah and is considered as an iconic landmark of the city. Howrah Bridge has a long span of 457 m. Currently, it is the longest cantilever bridge in India and the sixth-longest cantilever bridge in the world.

Trams in Kolkata

Kolkata Tram is one of the few historic entities without which Calcutta, the first capital of British India, cannot be pictured. It has witnessed the city’s uphill journey from the rebellious Calcutta to the peaceful Kolkata. Though a thing of past in other Indian metros is an object of disdain to urbanites today, trams still exist as a heritage of Kolkata & a reminiscence of Calcutta. The oldest operating public transport in Asia, Kolkata Tram has been on the run since 1867.

Bird's eye view of Kolkata (Salt Lake area)

Bird's eye view of Kolkata (Salt Lake area)

Bird's eye view of Kolkata (New Town area)

Bird's eye view of Kolkata (New Town area)

Bird's eye view of Kolkata (Salt Lake Stadium in the center)

Bird's eye view of Kolkata (Salt Lake area)

Bird's eye view of Kolkata (Salt Lake Stadiun in the center))

Bird's-eye view of Kolkata with river Ganga

Bird's-eye view of Salt Lake (Low Land) Bheri