If you want a city with a soul, come to Kolkata. Love it or hate it, you can never quite ignore this city.
Also called the city of joy, Kolkata is a land of rich culture and heritage. Calcutta, as it was known in colonial times, was the capital of India for 100 years, and is now known as the cultural capital of India Associated of the opulence of the raj, it has palatial buildings that are havens of grandeur.
Alive and vibrant, the spirit of the city remains unvanquished despite immense odds. The grandeur and loveliness of Kolkata makes this city a jewel in the greater scheme of Indian culture. Known for a heavy level of Anglicization, the cultural context of colonial Calcutta was vastly different as compared to the less Anglicized regions within India. The people of Kolkata are known for their exuberance. The exceptionally friendly and warm atmosphere attracts people from all over.
The markets or the vibrant traditional bazaars are the heart of this city. They offer a wide variety of exquisite textiles, ethnic ornaments and what not. The white marble Victoria Memorial is splendid, surrounded by serene ponds and gardens. It was opened in 1911, and now is a window to the grandeur of a fallen Raj.
Kolkata houses a plethora of magnificent buildings that boasts of immaculate architecture and aesthetic ideals, and thus is a city packed with heritage.
The festivals here are celebrated grandly with pomp and gaiety. The city is bustling with activities during festivals like Durga Puja, which is one of the prominent festivities here.
While the characteristic elements of the food of Calcutta are fish and rice, a mind-blowing variety of sweets known as sandesh and sultry, scrumptious dishes are also a part of the cuisine.
The land of Kolkata has been home to a number of eminent personalities, whether it is the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath tagore or the great philosopher Swami Vivekananda. The composer of India’s National Song Vande Mataram, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay also hails from Bengal.
Below is a quiz that will test your knowledge of the rich heritage and cultural milieu of Kolkata.
[slickquiz id=27]
Thank you for the quiz. Just a heads-up: South Park Street Cemetery is not an ASI site as yet. It is owned and maintained by the Christian Burial Board.
Thanks for the information, corrected the statement ð