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