Kolkata – What you need to know
Kolkata is the capital city of West Bengal. Not only that, but it is also the biggest city in the eastern part of India. The Hooghly river flows alongside the city. The Bangladesh border is close to the city – about 80 km. Until recently, the administrative headquarters of the West Bengal government was located here.
Kolkata has India’s oldest operating port. It is regarded by many to be the cultural capital of the country. Kolkata is the only Indian city to have a tram network. Notably, Kolkata has India’s first-ever underground metro transit system. Many prominent institutions such as the Academy of Fine Arts, National Library of India and Indian Museum are based in Kolkata.
- Things to do in Kolkata: The city of Kolkata is always throbbing with vibrancy. If history is your forte, check out the artefacts in the Indian Museum. A little farther away from the Museum is Esplanade – the shopping centre of Kolkata. Visit the Victoria Memorial and explore its grandeur. Kolkata is famous for its Durga Puja, so head over to Kumartuli to see how the world-famous Durga idols are crafted by the artisans.
- Tourist attractions in Kolkata: The most popular tourist destinations in Kolkata are The Botanical Garden, Victoria Memorial, Birla Mandir, Princep Ghat, New Market, Alipore Zoological Garden, Howrah Bridge, Marble Palace, Millenium Park, Belur Math and Eco Park.
- Places to shop in Kolkata: One can safely say Kolkata is a shopper’s paradise. The New Market at Esplanade has literally everything under the sun on offer. From books, jewellery, apparel to bakery items and electronics, just name it and you will find it here. For cheap books, visit college street.
- Best time to visit Kolkata: Winter is the perfect time to take in what Kolkata has to offer. The temperature is very pleasant at this time of the year.
- Modes of transport: Kolkata enjoys excellent road and rail connectivity. The bus network in Kolkata is very extensive but the condition of the buses is mostly poor. The metro network connects north Kolkata with the south. Auto-rickshaws are available on most routes. You can also book app-based cabs in Kolkata.
- Weather in Kolkata: During the summer season, the weather remains very hot. This is mostly due to the high humidity of the region. During monsoons, rainfall ranges from moderate to heavy. The winters are very pleasant and comfortable in Kolkata.
Airport in Kolkata
IndiGo operates several connecting and direct flights from Kolkata Airport on a daily basis. For more information on IndiGo flight routes from Kolkata, visit IndiGo website.
- Airport Address: Jessore Rd, Dum Dum, Kolkata, West Bengal 700052
- Airport IATA code: CCU