TEST 2

The Victoria Memorial complex, one of the finest structures ever built in the country, has become an icon for the beautiful city that Calcutta is. It is also a prominent architectural and artistic heritage left behind by the British in the city. As the name suggests, the colossal memorial is dedicated to Queen Victoria. Stepping into the beautiful, well-maintained grounds of the memorial through a gateway flanked by large realistic marble lions, one notices an abundance of statues in every direction. You will find coins, maps, textiles, sculptures, stamps, and old weapons which are preserved in this museum. Fine portraits of the Queen and Prince Albert can be seen in the Royal Gallery. Several other paintings which depict the life of Queen Victoria are also displayed in the Museum.
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Job Charnock was the founder of Kolkata more than 300 years ago. The octagonal tomb houses the graves of Charnock along with some of his relatives. Within the mausoleum itself are grave tablets for Charnock and his family. On the ground, surrounding the central structure, are numerous other tablets laid out in a radial pattern. This quiet place is in the heart of the city.

Kolkata Tram is India’s only operating tram network. They help people of Kolkata get a taste of the city’s heritage. These trams are the lifeline of the city that help millions of its office goers commute daily. A tram ride over one will definitely give you the time of your life, especially in the early mornings.

One of the must see historical tourist attractions of Kolkata, the Fort William stands tall on the eastern banks of Hooghly river, overlooking Maidan park. The imposing structure of Fort William is embellished with hundreds of archlike windows and overlook lush green gardens. Meticulous stonework adorns the surface of the building. The fort today houses offices, accommodation, training and several recreational facilities of the Indian Army. Starting from swimming pool to boxing arena and a firing range, one can witness everything under one boundary here.

Visit Fort William for an intriguing insight into the history of India when it was ruled by the British Empire.

An iconic landmark of the city of Kolkata on the River Hooghly, the Howrah bridge plays the role of the gateway to Kolkata. Howrah Bridge is one of the busiest cantilever bridge across the globe. The bridge remains crowded all day with vehicles. Almost one lakh vehicles and two million pedestrians commute through this bridge to either direction every day. The light which illuminates it and makes it look more beautiful at night is an added charm of the bridge. For those who wish to see the grandeur of the bridge, you are recommended an excellent ride in the ferry services between Kolkata and Howrah, offered from Launch Ghat. The view of the city from the ferry, especially in the night, is priceless, to say the least.

The Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden previously known as Indian Botanic Garden is situated in Shibpur, Howrah near Kolkata. The gardens exhibit a wide variety of rare plants and a total collection of over 12,000 specimens spread over 109 hectares. The best-known landmark of the garden is The Great Banyan, an enormous banyan tree that is reckoned to be the largest tree in the world, with more than 330 metres in circumference. The gardens are also famous for their enormous collections of orchids, bamboos, palms, and plants of the screw pine genus

Belur Math is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda, a chief disciple of the renowned saint Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. It is located on the west bank of Hooghly River, Belur, West Bengal. A pious symbol of secularism, Belur Math flaunts a flawless amalgamation of Hindu, Islamic and Christian architectural styles.

The stately 1784 family mansion of Rabindranath Tagore has become a shrine-like museum to India’s greatest modern poet. Tagore’s house museum has 3 galleries- dedicated to Tagore, his family members, and the Bengal Renaissance. The visitors can see photographs of Tagore family members, life-size portraits of the poet and his journey as a poet philosopher.
In total, there is a collection of 53 pieces of furniture, 770 journals, 2071 books, 16 paintings, 27 crafts and sculptures, 53 pieces of furniture, 3297 photographs, 27 crafts and sculptures, along with 208 personal belongings.

Diamond Harbour located in the Southern suburbs of Kolkata is an exciting day out or a weekend tour. The serenity and natural beauty of this place is something rare, making it one of the most sought-after weekend destination among locals. You can sit on the river bank or take a leisurely walk in the quiet and serene environment.

A River Cruise on the Ganges is one of the best ways to explore the city. There are 54 ghats (quayside) and all have great history and heritage. Many monuments, memorials and markets are there by the riverside. During the cruise you would be able to see the daily activities of the people around the banks of the river. There are flower markets and cremation areas. People take bath and offer prayers, especially during the morning. Have delicious cuisines in the cruise and enjoy the serenity of this beautiful city. Cruise sailing is must in your bucket list when you are in Kolkata.