Kolkata- City of Joy

Aamar Shonar Bangla,

Ami Tomay Bhalobashi...

Calcutta now renamed as Kolkata capital city of West Bengal. Kolkata is a city of dreams, located on the east bank of the Hoogly River. Kolkata is one of the oldest city in India and was the first city where British rulers started the business. They started their company, 'East India Company' in Kolkata.

The main language of the city is Bengali and other languages that are followed here are English and Hindi (to an extent). The year begins with Poila Boisakh that comes on 15th April. The calender followed here is different from English calender. Here, Panjika (bengali calender) is followed and the months are-

Panjika (Bengali Calender)

                                                                   

April- Boishakh

May- Joistho                                                                

June- Ashah

July- Srabon

August- Bhadro

Spetember- Ashshin

October- Kartik

November- Ograhaeon

December- Poush

January- Magh

February- Falgun

March- Choitro

One can see 100 year old buildings all over the streets of Kolkata. Trams running over the roads, Hand-pulling rickshaws, busy market yard from the early morning, heavy crowd on local trains running from one station to the other, sound of conch shells from the temples and so on. The priests being busy in doing all his sacred worships on the banks of river Hoogly. In short, one can feel the freshness of various colors and flavors in the city.

The city tour begins from Howrah Railway Station. Howrah station is the second busiest station in India. It is situated on the west bank of river Hoogly and is linked to Kolkata with Howrah bridge which is an icon of Kolkata. It is the oldest station and largest railway complex in India.

Howrah Railway Station

There are 25 Platforms and 29 Tracks. One can get Auto-Rickshaw, Ferry, Bus and Taxis from the station to any part of the city. Yatri Niwas, rooms are also available for the passengers at the same building of the station.

Yatri Niwas, Howrah Railway Station

Now, while moving towards the city we can see that the city and howrah are connected to each other by Howrah bridge. The most famous bridge in India. The bridge has support only from the two sides. There is no support from the middle of the bridge.The bridge is built on the River Hoogly.

Howrah Bridge

Other than Howrah Rly. Station, there is one more railway station Sealdah from where all the local trains run. Sealdah railway station has two different station. One is Sealdah North and another is Sealdah South.

Sealdah Railway Station

Kolkata is called as City of Joy, where each and every day every moment of life is lived as if there is no tomorrow. As I have travelled in many other parts of India so as per my personal opinion I can say that Kolkata is most affordable city. Affordable in the sense that here one can spend a day at a very low price. Here, believe it or not but the Auto-Rickshaws charge 2.5 rupee which cannot be seen in any other city in India.

Urban Structure...

North Kolkata is the oldest part of the city. It includes areas such as Shyambazar, Shobhabazar, Chitpur, Baranagar and Dumdum. Central Kolkata hosts the central business district containing areas like B.B.D. Bagh Square, General Post Office, Reserve Bank of India, High Court, Lalbazar Police Headquarters and several other government offices are located here. South Kolkata is also an important business hub. It comprises of Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Camac Street, Louden Street, Shakespeare Sarani. 

Maidan, considered to be the "Lungs of Kolkata" is located on the heart of the city and accommodates various sport events and pulic meetings. At the southern end of Maidan, is located Victoria Memorial and Kolkata Race Course. 

Victoria Memorial, Kolkata