City Highlights

The Birla Planetarium came into existence on 29th September, 1962. It was first of its kind in India and the mightiest in entire Asia. Ever since its beginning, it has proved to be an asset for the common people as well as the students in understanding the different sorts of phenomenon that take place in the ever so mysterious space. The Birla Planetarium in Kolkata has so far put forward as many as 350 projects concerned with - Astro- physics, Celestial Mechanics, History of astronomy, Astronomy, Mythologyconcerningthestars, Eclipses, manymorecelestialevents.

Rabindra Sadan is the hub of the prime Bengali culture in the the metropolitan city of Kolkata. The large stage of Rabindra Sadan is a premier venue for 'Bangla' theater and other cultural activities of the city. Rabindra Sadan of Kolkata is a major entertainment zone and cultural center for the Bengali society where you can view dramas, dance cultural programmes and film festivals.

Science City, the largest science centre in the sub-continent, consists of two facilities, the Science Centre and the Convention Centre. The Science Centre complex comprises Space Odyssey, Dynamotion, Evolution Theme Park, Maritime Centre and a Science Park. The Space Odyssey houses India’s first Large Format Film Theatre, Time Machine, 3-D Vision Theatre, Mirror Magic and exhibits on space science, motion, electricity and virtual reality. The Dynamotion Hall has a Butterfly Corner, Aquaria, an exposition on giant robotic insects and host of interactive exhibits on science & technology for both education and entertainment of the visitors.

Kumortuli is a traditional potters’ quarter in northern Kolkata. By virtue of their artistic productions these potters have moved from obscurity to prominence. This Kolkata neighbourhood, not only supplies clay idols of Hindu gods and goddesses to Barowari Pujas in Kolkata and its neighbourhoods, but a number of idols are exported too.

A huge variety of pavement vendors line Chowringhee Road from Park Street to New Market, selling everything bizarre to tacky. However, if you look through all the junk, you'll find some wonderful terracotta wares, which are a Kolkata specialty. The decorative terracotta wall plaques are particularly attractive and come in some unique traditional designs.

Despite the appearance of new air-conditioned, American-style, shopping malls all over Kolkata, New Market, which has survived two devastating fires and regular flooding, remains at the core of the shopping experience in the city. Over 2000 stalls under its roof sell everything from clothing to wheeled luggage to electronics to a special cheese found nowhere else. Under its apparent chaos lie extraordinary finds as well as remarkable bargains.

South City Mall is a large shopping mall in Kolkata Located on Prince Anwar Shah Road near the middle class suburbs of Jodhpur Park, Lake Gardens, Dhakuria and Golf Green. It has been open since 16 January 2008. With a shopping area of 360,000 square feet (33,000 m2) and parking for 1,800 vehicles, it is the largest shopping mall in Eastern India.

Built entirely of white marble, Victoria Memorial, one of India's most beautiful monuments, represents a unique combination of classical European architecture and Mughal motifs. The Victoria Memorial blends the best of the British and Mughal architecture. The Victoria Memorial hall was built with white Makrana marbles. The Prince of Wales laid the foundation stone of Victoria Memorial in 1906 and it was inaugurated in 1921 in memory of Queen Victoria.

Preferred time to visit: - October to March ( 1000 – 1700 Hrs)