Kolkata or Calcutta, as it was earlier called, is a city that brings different ideas, memories and experiences for different people. It is mostly a place to be felt rather than just seen. Till you visit the city and live here for some time to soak in the flavor, you might harbor a prejudice that it is all about dinginess, poverty, communism and a lot of din. Having undergone a sea change as far as the metropolitan scenario is concerned, Kolkata, the city on the banks of River Hooghly, is becoming one of the important IT hubs.

One of the four chief metropolises of India along with Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, the city of Kolkata was a mere village in the 17th century. It developed thus largely due to the influence of the European powers, particularly the British Raj. With this in view, it is natural that Kolkata has some of the finest edifices with British architectural styles.

On your tour to Kolkata you must visit some of the places of interest like the Victoria Memorial, Botanical Gardens, and Raj Bhavan. Victoria Memorial is a huge white-marble structure built as a paean to the Grand Empress and reflects the influence of the British Raj to a large extent. However, more specifically, it is a cross between classical western and Mughal style. Opened on 1921, it contains massive oil paintings in the Royal Gallery, depicting episodes from Queen Victoria�s long, eventful life and reign, a remarkable collection of the British colonial era.

272 acres of lush greenery on the outskirts of Kolkata � that is what Botanical Gardens is all about. Home to several species of flora, ranging from 250 year old Banyan tree to a large variety of aquatic plants, particularly the Victoria Amazonica, Sicilian double coconut tree, bamboo trees, the multi-branched Palmyra tree and a huge variety of cactus, orchids and other flowering plants, the place is hugely visited by tourists and residents alike.

Constructed in 1874, the Indian Museum is the oldest museum in India, housing one of the exclusive collections of archeological artifacts. Apart from this Academy of Fine Arts, Birla Planetarium, and Dalhousie Square are other tourist attractions in Kolkata. The tram ride in this city on your Kolkata tour is a special interest and walks in the Maidan area can be really romantic.

Tourists have a huge range of accommodation options to choose from as there are budget hotels, economy hotels, and star category hotels as well, catering to the different needs of different people. They are mostly convenient and provide all the contemporary facilities.

Log on to www.touristplacesinindia.com which gives online information on Kolkata on your tour to India.

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