| Kolkata formerly Calcutta is the capital of the | | | | appeal for an evening stroll. In the day a |
| Indian state of West Bengal. It is located in | | | | seemingly organised pandemonium of ancient |
| eastern India on the east bank of the River | | | | trucks and trams, screaming scooters, sleeping |
| Hooghly. The city has a population of 5 million. | | | | dogs, smoking food stalls and mothers cleaning |
| The airport is situated at Dumdum, around 17 km | | | | children in muddy puddles. It is a shock to the |
| northeast of the city centre. It is well connected | | | | system, but it likes to think of itself as a rather |
| by air to all major countries in the world, as well | | | | cultured one you yourself should be the judge. |
| as to Indian cities. The metro rail is the famous | | | | The people are famous for their fondness for |
| train which was started in 1984 and operates only | | | | good food. Sweets like sandesh, rosogolla and |
| in Kolkata. These trains are very clean, punctual | | | | chanar payesh are very famous all over the |
| and efficient and the stations are also air | | | | country. |
| conditioned. | | | | Chinese, Continental, Thai, Tibetan and Mughal |
| In the 17th century, Calcutta was nothing more | | | | cuisine including tandoori, kebabs and biryani etc |
| than a village. Today it is one of the major | | | | are next in the popularity chart. |
| metropolitan cities of India along with Delhi, | | | | In the markets, cotton, silk and handlooms are |
| Mumbai and Chennai. Kolkata was once the capital | | | | top quality, as is the gold and silver jewellery. |
| city of British India and also the Gateway to India | | | | Shopping on the roadside is normal. But wherever |
| till 1912. It is a major commercial city consisting of | | | | you are beware of pickpockets. |
| big industrial plants and corporate houses. | | | | The city is the land of sports lovers, intellectual, |
| The major tourist attractions in Calcutta include | | | | romantic and has a unique sensibility. Be it a |
| Birla Planetarium, Shantiniketan, Victoria Memorial | | | | religious festival, soccer matches, political |
| and the Gardens. For the wildlife enthusiasts, it has | | | | demonstrations, music, art, poetry reading or |
| Sunderbans a wildlife sanctuary rich in a variety of | | | | eating for them each activity is equally important. |
| flora and fauna. Take an excursion to Vishnupur, | | | | Durgapuja the most important and the most |
| which is reputed for its terracotta, metal ware | | | | popular of all Bengali festivals, is celebrated. The |
| and temples. | | | | Goddess Durga is worshipped for 10 days of the |
| Today its evening streets can be intimidating, | | | | festival. |
| given their rows of sleeping homeless. Not much | | | | |