unit 2 BTM1

Delhi

Delhi, a modern cosmopolitan and the capital city of India, is the kaleidoscope of the ancient, medieval and modern culture of India. Be it the amazing historical monuments, museums, modern and flamboyant restaurants and nightclubs, big shopping malls, discotheques, big markets or imperial gardens and parks, the city offers a perfect holiday destination for leisure as well as business travelers.

Delhi is divided into two parts, the Old Delhi and New Delhi, contrasting yet harmonious in nature. Old Delhi, built by Shah Jahan in the 17th century, showcases the rich historical and cultural past of the city, visible in its numerous architectural masterpieces including the magnificent Red Fort and Jama Masjid. New Delhi, designed and developed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker, is famous for its finely carved architecture of the British period, such as the Parliament House and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, and for modern markets, flamboyant restaurants, nightclubs, discothèques, big shopping malls and more.

Tourist Attraction

India Gate, Delhi: the 42 metre high, free standing arch, popularly known as India Gate, was designed by Luytens and built in 19111. It was originally called All India War Memorial in memory of the 90,000 Soldiers of the Indian Army who died in World War I. The names of the soldiers are inscribed all along the walls of the arch. In1971, an eternal flame was lit here to honour the Amar Jawan (immortal soldiers). Purana Qila (Old Fort), Delhi : the ruins of the fort are located on a small hill which once stood on the banks of the river Yamuna. Legend has it that the fort marked the site of Indraprastha,, the magnificent capital of the Pandavas, though the construction was carried out by Sher Shah Suri sometime between 1538 to 1545 AD. The structure houses a mosque which has a double storeyed octagonal tower. It is said that the Mughal king Humayun fell from the tower and died. At the foot of the hill is a lake where the Delhi Tourism has arrangements for boating. Jantar Mantar, Delhi : Within Connaught Place is the Jantar Mantar Observatory built by the Rajput King of Jaipur Sawai Jai Singh in 1724. It was believed to have been built with masonry instruments for observing the movements of the stars and planets. Humayun's Tomb, Delhi : Taj Mahal is known have been inspired by Humayun's Tomb, and in many ways this magnificent red and while building is as spectacular as the famous Taj Mahal in Agra. Tomb is memorial by a grieving wife and was built by his widow Haji Begum in 1565-66, nine years after his death. The splendor of this grand monument becomes overpowering on entering through the lofty double storeyed gateway. It is set in the centre of a large square garden enclosed by high walls on three sides, while the river would have been the forth boundary. The Chahar Bagh is divided into smaller squares by pathways as in a typical Mughal garden. The fountains were worked with simple yet highly developed engineering skills quite common in India during that period. Chandni Chowk, Delhi : It was the eyes and ears of the Mughal's commercial instincts and is today one of the country's best known wholesale markets for textiles, electronic goods and many other items. The entire area was designed by Jahanara Begum, Shah Jahan'' favorite daughter and was then inhabited by the well-to-do families of the time. In today's time, this area is highly congested. Safdarjang's Tomb : It is the last enclosed garden tomb in Delhi in the tradition of Humayun's Tomb though it is far less grand in scale. It was built in 1753-54 as the mausoleum of Safdarjang, the viceroy of the Awadh under the Mughal Emperor, Mohammed Shah. It has several smaller pavilions. Parliament House, New Delhi : A marvelous piece of architecture which can be admired only from outside on account of security restrictions. Close to President's House, it is circular structure almost a kilometer in circumference, and was designed by the famed architect Luytens. It is the seat of Indian Parliament. Rashtrapati Bhawan (President's House) : The official residence of the President of the country, the building was also designed by Luytens. It was the official residence of the Viceroy when the British ruled India. With 340 rooms and an area of about 330 acres. The Mughal Gardens within the complex are a treat for the eyes and are open to public during certain periods of the year. Birla Mandir (Laxmi Narayan Temple), New Delhi : It was built by the industrialist Raja Baldev Birla in 1938. The temple is an important prayer centre and contains idols of several deities. Interestingly, Mahatma Gandhi, who inaugurated the temple, was also a regular visitor to it. Akshardham Temple : Representing the Hindu mythology and the Indian culture, the Akshardham Temple stands on the banks of river Yamuna, covering an area of 100 acres. This modern-day wonder boasts 234 embellished pillars, 20,000 statues and a number of arches. The temple complex houses an IMAX theatre, exhibition halls and musical fountains. Surrounded by beautifully laid out garden, the temple attracts lakhs of tourists from far and wide. The temple is built in marble and red sandstone, symbolising devotion and eternal peace. Red Fort : Built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648, the masterpiece of Red Fort has the distinction of being chosen as a site from where the prime minister of India addresses the nation on the Independence Day. Popular as Lal Quila, the grand and imposing fort is today a regular haunt of tourists from all parts of the world. The unparalleled architecture is testimony to the grandness of supremacy of Mughal empire in India. The complex houses Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, the Moti Masjid, the Shahi Burj etc. The fort stands as dignified and grandiose as it did centuries ago.

JAMA MASJID, DELHI : The country's largest mosque where thousands of Muslims offer prayers every day. It took over 14 to complete and was built in 1656. It lies opposed the Red Fort. The flight of stairs and its large courtyard are marvels of architecture. It has three gateways, four angle towers and two minarets standing 40 metres high and constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble. Broad flights of steps lead up to the imposing gateways. The eastern gateway was originally only opened for the emperor, and is now only open on Fridays and Muslim festival days.

CREMATION SITES OF NATIONAL LEADERS : On the banks of the river Yamuna are the national shrines : Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi); Shanti van (Jawaharlal Nehru) Vijay Ghat(Lal Bahadur Shastri), Shakti Sthal(Indira Gandhi) and Vir Bhumi (Rajiv Gandhi)

QUTUB MINAR, DELHI : This magnificent structure in the southern part of the capital was built by the Muslim King, Kutab-ud-din Aibak in 1199 AD. A part of it which could not be finished by completed by another Muslim King, Iltutmish. In 1368, Feroz Shah Tughlaq rebuilt the top storeys and added a cupola. An earthquake brought the cupola down in 1803 and an Englishman replaced it with another in 1829 but was removed some years later. Minar(tower)is 72.5 metres high and tapers from 15 meter-diameter base to just 2.5 meter at the top. The tower has given distinct stories, each marked by a projecting balcony. The first three stories are made of red sandstone, the fourth and fifth of marble and sandstone.

At the foot of the Qutab Minar stands the first mosque to be built in India, the Might of Islam Mosque. Qutab-ud-din began construction of the mosque in 1193, but it has number of additions and extensions during the years.

Iron Pillar : This seven meter high pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque and has been there since long before the mosque. A six line Sanskrit inscription indicates that it was initially erected outside a Vishnu temple, possibly in Bihar and was raised in memory of the Gupta King Chandragupta Vikramaditya, who ruled from 375 to 413. The pillar is made of a very exceptional pure iron. Scientists have never discovered how this iron has not rusted even after 2000 years.

TUGHLAQUABAD FORT, DELHI : The massively strong walls of Tughlaqabad, the third city of ancient Delhi, is situated in east of Qutab Minar. The walled city and fort with 13 gateways was built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq. The storey behind the construction of this massive fort is that the king took away workers who were engaged in constructing a shrine of Sufi Saint Nizam-ud-din. As a result the Sufi Saint cursed the King that his city will not be inhabited for long and only Gujars (shepherds) will shelter here. Truly, today is the situation.

NIZAMUDDIN, DELHI : Across the road from Humayun's Tomb is the shrine of the Muslim Sufi saint, Nizamud-din Chishti, who died in 1325 at 92. His shrine, with its large tank, is one of the several interesting tombs here. Other tomb in this area include the later grate of Jahanara, the daughter of Shah Jahan, who stayed with her father during his imprisonment by Aurangzeb in Agra's Red Fort, Amir Kusru, a renowned Urdu poet.

On Thursday around sunset time, the qawwali singers start performing after the evening prayers.

LODI GARDENS, DELHI : About three km to the west of Humayun's Tomb are the well kept gardens and in the gardens are the tombs of the Sayyid and Lodi rulers. Mohammed Shah's Tomb(1450) was a prototype for the later Mughal style tomb of Humayun's, a design which would eventually develop into the Taj Mahal. The other tomb include those of Mubarak Shah(1433), Ibrahim Lodi(1526) and Sikander Lodi (1517).

HAUS KHAS : Situated midway between Safdarjang and the Qutab Minar, this area was once the reservoir for the second city of Delhi. Siri, which lies slightly to the east. Interesting sights here include Feroz Shah's Tomb (1398) and the remains of an ancient college.

BAHAI TEMPLE : Lying to the east of Siri is this building shaped like a lotus flower. Built between 1980 and 1986, it is set amongst pools and gardens, and adherents of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate, according to own religion and faith

JAIPUR

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan is a wonderful tourist attraction in Rajasthan. The Pink City of Jaipur has a number of architectural wonders that attract tourists from all over the country and abroad. Most of the foreign tourists, who come to India, also tour this city of majestic forts and beautiful havelis. Jaipur lies in the state of Rajasthan and is about 258 kilometres from Delhi, the capital of India. Jaipur Hub takes you on a tour of various tourist attractions in and around Jaipur.

Located at a distance of 258 Km from Delhi, the Pink City of Jaipur is a wonderful tourist destination in Rajasthan. Jaipur boasts a number of tourist attractions in the form of many beautiful palaces, magnificent forts, havelis, museums and colorful bazaars. The city attracts thousands of tourists from all over the country and abroad. Most of the foreign tourists, who visit India, keep Jaipur on top of their tour list.

on your Palace on Wheels tour with About Palace on Wheels, you will visit various tourist attractions in and around Jaipur. Some of them are mentioned below for your reference.

City Palace: A classic example of Mughal and architecture, the City Palace stands majestically in the heart of the city. One of the most important architectural landmarks in Jaipur, the palace boasts a museum named after Maharaja Sawai Man Singh, a 7-storey facade 'Chandra Mahal' ('moon palace), Mubarak Mahal, the Diwan-e-Aam and Diwan-e-Khas (the Hall of Private Audience). The erstwhile royal family still lives in one section of the Chandra Mahal. The museum has on display a rich collection of rare manuscripts, weapons, Mughal carpets and costumes, and Mughal and Rajasthani miniatures. The most impressive of all collections are the rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit acquired by Sawai Jai Singh II.

Hawa Mahal: Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) is the most striking and one of the most visited monuments in Jaipur. As against the common thinking, it is not really a palace. It is a sandstone screen used as a veil by the royal women folk to watch the proceedings on the road below without being seen.

Jantar Mantar: Another wonderful sight to visit in Jaipur, the Jantar Mantar is one of the five observatories that were built by the astronomical king Sawai Jai Singh in 1718. Built in stone and marble, it has numerous scientifically designed instruments to study the movement of stars. The 'RamYantras' is the most remarkable of all the instruments and used for gauging altitudes.

Amber Fort: Jaipur tour can never be considered complete without a visit to the majestic Amber Fort. Built on the hilltop outside Jaipur, the construction of the Fort was started by Raja Man Singh in the 16th century and was completed by Sawai Jai Singh in the 18th century. Set in a picturesque background, the splendid Amber Fort offers magnificent views of the surrounding area. Built in red stone and white marble, the Fort is a represents a fine blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture.

Ram Niwas Bagh: Built as a famine relief project by Sawai Ram Singh II in 1868 AD, it houses a well-kept spacious garden with a zoo, an aviary, a greenhouse, a herbarium, a museum and a sport ground.

Other major tourist attractions at Jaipur include Sheesh Mahal, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Rambagh Palace, Jaipur Museum, Albert Museum, Birla Mandir Planetarium, Amer Palace, Govind Devji Temple, Galtaji, Sisodia Rani Garden, Kanak Valley and the Laxmi Narayan Temple.

Birla Planetarium - Jaipur, India, IN
Offering an enjoyable audio-visual experience, visitors to Jaipur's Birla Planetarium will enjoy its many astronomical attractions, which range from star constellations to the solar system as a whole, using state-of-the-art technology. The Birla Planetarium is actually part of the Birla Science and Technology Centre and is sited close to the city's Statue Circle.

Jaipur Tourist Attractions: Camel Rides - Jaipur, India, IN
Tourists staying in Rajasthan will immediately realise that camel rides are amongst the most popular tourist attractions and enjoyed by many. A number of sandy deserts lie close to Jaipur, where companies operating camel safaris are easy to find. Led by trained guides, camel rides are a romantic and enjoyable way to learn more about the area surrounding Jaipur. Be sure to bring your camera and hold on tight where the camel prepares for you to dismount.

Raj Mandhir Theatre - Jaipur, India, IN
Rajastan's leading movie theatre, the Raj Mandhir Theatre is also extremely popular and can become quite crowded at times. When watching a typical Masala film here you can be sure of a memorable experience, with noisy crowds who are constantly cheering and clapping.

Iswari Minar Swarga Sal (Heaven Piercing Minaret) - Jaipur, India, IN
Close to the Tripolia Gate and within the Old City area of Jaipur, the Iswari Minar Swarga Sal has an interesting history, being built by the son of Jai Singh. Many people visit this attraction to climb to the top and enjoy the stunning views across the Old City. The entrance to the Iswari Minar Swarga Sal is located at the back and off the Chandpol Bazaar.

Moti Doongri Temple / Fort - Jaipur, India, IN
One of Jaipur's most famous tourist attractions is the Moti Doongri Temple, which lies close to the very heart of the Old City district. Enjoying a hilltop setting and affording good city views, the Moti Doongri Temple resembles an English castle in style and is still owned by the royal family. Although tourists are not able to view the interior of the fortress, the white marble is impressive in its own right, appearing to glow at night-time. Nearby attractions include the Ganesh Temple and also the Birla Mandir shrines.

Amritsar Information

Location : In the north Indian state of Punjab.
Tourist Attractions : The Golden Temple, Jalianwala Bagh, Durgiana Temple, Ram Bagh, Wagah Border, Baba Bakala, Tarn Taran.
Best Buys : Woolen tweeds, suiting, blankets, shawls in traditional weaves, ivory, swords in different designs, jutties (traditional embroidered shoes) and carpets.
Best Hangouts : The Golden Temple, Ram Bagh
Best Activity : Shopping
Nearby Tourist Destinations : Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Delhi, Lahore (Pakistan).
When to Visit : Any Time of the Year

About Amritsar
Amritsar, meaning the "holy pool of nectar" is one of the major cities in the state of Punjab. It is one of the most ancient and fascinating cities of India. The legend has it that this was the place where, Luv and Kush, the twin sons of Lord Ram, got education and were taught the Ramayana by the learned sage Valmiki, before Sikhism came into existence and present city came to be known as Amritsar. The city was founded by the fourth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Ramdas. With the respect of the pilgrims that pulls into Amritsar, the city has become the symbol of Sikhism. Today, Amritsar has evolved as a historical place and a religious hub of the Sikhs. A major part of the city's history revolves around the Golden Temple, which is the prime and distinct attraction in Amritsar.

Golden Temple:

Also called Sri Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple was laid by Guru Ram Das in the 14th century. It is acclaimed as one of the holiest sites of the Sikhs. It has four doorways and gorgeously decorated arches. Reflecting influences of both Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture, the temple standing in the middle of a tank, exudes tremendous architectural brilliance which draws the attention of numerous tourists around the globe. Although principally a pilgrimage spot for the Sikhs, it is visited by people of all religions and proves to be one of the greatest tourist attractions in Amritsar on your tour to India.

Jalianwala Bagh:
Sited near the Golden Temple, it bears testimony to the disaster called Jallianwala Bagh Massacre at the time of the rule of the British Raj. A congregation, attended by several Punjabis on the occasion of Baisakhi (New Year) celebrations on 13 April 1919 was set on fire by General Dyer. Till date it serves as one of the greatest tourist attractions in Amritsar.

Durgiana Mandir:
Located close to the Golden Temple, this temple, modeled in the style of the Golden Temple, is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga. However, it also offers prayers to deities of Lakshmi and Narayana. Believed to have been built in the 16th century AD, the temple stands in the center of a lake.

Baba Atal Rai Tower:
Situated not far from the main town, Baba Atal Rai Tower is believed to have been the place where Guru Har Gobind died. Christened after the son of Guru Har Gobind, this nine-storey building gives you a panoramic view from the top. The first floor of the tower preserves some of the trinkets that bear associations to Guru Nanak’s life and his teachings.

Wagah Border:
Literally defining the Indo-Pakistan border, Wagah is just 28 km from the main town of Amritsar. The ‘change of guards ceremony’ at sunset draws a good many spectators.

Weekend Trips/Excursions:

Tarn Taran: In the south of the city at about the distance of the 25 km the Tarn Taran is located. This is considered as a lake which bears the medical associations and the holy associations which are attached with it. This was built by the Ranjit Singh and the several fairs are been celebrated on it on every of the Amavas night. It is the major tourist attraction in Amritsar.

Hari-ke-pattan: Hari-ke-Pattan is a natural serene place famous for its bird sanctuary. It is located on the outskirts of the city, at the confluence of the rivers Beas and Sutlej. Winter (November-onwards) is characterized by migratory birds, coming from as far as Siberia, making it a popular place for bird watching and boating. This is the time when the lake becomes a reception home to nearly 350 species of birds. Hari-ke-Pattan is also one of India's leading in-land sweet water fish market and home of varied wild life.

Ram Tirath Temple: It is a temple which is situated at the Chogawan road in Amritsar, where the Maharaja Valmiki is believed to compose the Ramayana. This place is considered as the other tourist attraction in Amritsar.

Events and Festivals:
Baisakhi and Guru Nanak Jayanti are two of the most important festivals that are celebrated in Amritsar.

Lucknow

Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh situated along the banks of the River Gomti rose to prominence as the centre of the Nawabs of Avadh. Legend says that Lucknow derived its name from Lucknau named after Lakshmana (a character in the famous Epic Ramayan) when his elder brother Rama gave away this part of the country to him. The huge mausoleums of the nawabs and the ruins of the Residency which stood witness to one of the most remarkable episodes in the Indian Mutiny in 1857, make it an interesting place to visit. Historically reputed as a city of culture, Lucknow is famous for its gharana of music and chickken (shadow work embroidery) work.

History of Lucknow

Lucknow’s foundations were laid in the 13th century. Lakshman Tila, the central part of the city, is believed to have been the site where a fort was built by a clan from Bijnor. By the end of the 13th century, the fort had fallen into the hands of the Sharqi rulers of Jaunpur, who held it till 1476. In the 1540s, the fort was annexed by the Sultan of Delhi, Sher Shah Sur. During the Mughal Emperor Akbar’s reign, the Oudh, as Lucknow was then called, flourished under imperial patronage. In 1724, the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah, appointed Nawab Sadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk as the Governor of Oudh. Thus began the reign of the Nawabs over Oudh, which continued till the close of the 18th century.

By 1854, the British, under Lord Dalhousie, took the control of Lucknow. An unconcerned Nawab Wajid Ali Shah played chess while British troops entered and occupied Lucknow. By the time he realized his folly, it was too late. (View Shatranj Ke Khilari by Munshi Premchand, Directed by Satyajit Ray, for an excellent reproduction of the period. Netflix: The Chess Players)

In 1857, British troops in and around Lucknow retreated to the Residency, with Indian sepoys and civilians laying siege to the complex. When Sir Colin Campbell took on the Indian forces in a bid to rescue his countrymen, the siege lasted 87 days during which cannon and small arms fire ruined the Residency.

After India gained independence from the British in 1947, Lucknow was made the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh. Today, the city is a busy political centre, and the hometown of India’s Former Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Tourist Attractions of Lucknow

Bara Imambara (Tomb of a Muslim holy man) 

The hall built by Asaf-ud-Daula for famine relief, is one of the largest in the world. There are excellent views of Lucknow from the top of the Imambara. An external stairway leads to an upper floor laid out as an amazing labyrinth known as the bhulbulaiya. The dark passages stop abruptly at openings which drop straight to the courtyard below. There's a mosque with two tall minarets in the courtyard complex and to the right of this is a well which is said to have secret tunnels opening into.

Rumi Darwaza

This huge 60-feet-high door was also built by Asaf-ud-Daula. It is also called the 'Turkish Darwaza,' it is the entrance to the Bara Imambara. It is a massive gate on the the western side of the front of Bara Imambara.

Chota Imambara

Hussainabad or Chota Imambara, was built by Mohammed Ali Shah in 1837 as his own mausoleum. The appeal of this structure lies in its furnishings comprising exquisite chandeliers of Belgium glass. The glittering brass-domes and ornate architecture of this building made a Russian Prince call it the "Kremlin of India." It contains the tombs of Ali Shah and his mother. A small bazaar, known as the Gelo Khana or "Decorated Place", lies inside the imposing entrance of the Imambara.

The Clock Tower 

It is located very near to the Rumi Darwaza. Built in 1881 by the British, this 67 m-high clock tower on the river Gomti is said to the tallest clock tower in India. The tower has European style artwork. The parts of the clock are built of pure gunmetal and the pendulum hangs 14 feet. The dial of this clock is shaped like a 12-petalled flower and has bells around it. 

Shah Najaf Imambara

It holds the tombs of Ghasi-ud-Din Haidar and his two wife's. Situated on the south bank of Gomti towards the west of Sikandar Bagh, the building is almost an exact replica of the tomb of Hazrat Ali, the son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, at Najaf Ashraf in Iraq. The interior is used to store chandeliers, and elaborate creations of wood, bamboo and silver paper which are carried through the streets during the Muharram Festival.

Residency

Built in 1800 by Saadat Ali Khan for the British Resident. There is a model room in the main Residency building which is worth visiting and a small museum on the ground floor. This group of buildings became the stage for the most dramatic events of the 1857 Mutiny the Siege of Lucknow. There is cemetery near by with graves of those who suffered in the mutiny.

Noor Baksh

Noor Baksh Kothi (Light giving palace) is in Lal Bagh area next to the Methodist Church and now known as Noor Manzil. It was believed to be built by Saadat Ali Khan as a school for royal children and Agha Mir, the Prime Minister was its owner. Rafi us Shan, son of Muhammad Ali Shah made this his residence till the end of Nawabi rule. Now it houses a psychiatric clinic for the mentally disturbed.

Chattar Manzil 

The two Chattar Manzils near the Begum Hazarat Mahal Park, on the banks of the Gomti were Royal pavilions. The name comes from the gilt chattars or umbrellas atop the two main buildings. The Greater Chattar Manzil was once a king's palace. Under the existing river terrace was the ground floor with the tykhanas (cool underground rooms), cooled by the waters of the Gomti which lapped against its outer walls. Today this building houses the Central Medicine Research body. The Lal Baradari was also the part of Chattar Manzil and was built as Coronation Hall and Durbar Hall.

State Museum

The state Museum in Banarasi Bagh houses an impressive collection of  stone sculptures, 1st-11th century exhibits of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain works, rare coins, marble sculptures and an Egyptian Mummy.

Dudhwa National Park

Dudhwa is 238 km N of Lucknow and was designated a National Park in 1977. Bordering the Sarda River in the Terai, it is very similar to the Corbett National Park. It has sal forest, tall savannah grasslands and large marshy areas watered by the Neora and Sohel rivers. Dudhwa National Park is home to unusual animal species. This national park's star attraction is the Royal Bengal tiger. About 100 tigers are believed to still roam this region. The Indian rhino was also introduced here to save it from extinction. Leopards, elephants, bears, gharial, crocodile, and spotted deer inhabit the thick forests too.

Gautam Buddha Park

Situated in between the Bara Imambara and the Martyrs Memorial, this park has been a recreation ground for children. Rides here are a big draw. Also used by political parties to hold rallies now.

Lucknow Zoo

Situated at 4 km from the Charbagh station, this Zoo is also called as the Prince of Wales Zoological Gardens. The Zoo comes under the Banarasi Bagh area. Constructed in 1921, it also has a museum, an aquarium and a toy train. The plane Rajhans used by Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru is also kept in the zoo. 

Kolkata

Kolkata is reminiscent of its past glory during the British rule and stands out as one of the most quintessential cities that has a perfect blend of the modernity and old heritage going hand in hand. The tourist attractions in Kolkata remind us the yesteryears when the British used to rule the nation and Victoria Memorial is the apt instance of it. This is one of the most magnificent tourist attractions in Kolkata that is still having its old charm and grandeur. Howrah Bridge is another instance that is a perfect instance of extreme engineering that awe-inspires the visitors from the different parts of the world to pay a visit to this lovely city.

There is a Kali temple at Kalighat which is also one of the tourist attractions in Kolkata and is visited by a large number of Kali devotees from the different parts of the country. If a legend is to be believed then Kolkata has derived its name from this temple. One will also come across St.Paul's Cathedral, the first Episcopal Cathedral Church to be erected in the eastern world Chowringhee Road. Belurmath about 10 km. from Kolkata is the headquarters of Ramakrishna Math, which houses more than 100 centers in India and abroad.

Birla Planetarium is one of the largest in Asia built after the Buddhist stupa at Sanchi. One can also see a large variety of the animals at the Alipore Zoological Garden which is located opposite of the National Library at Belvedere Road as one of the important tourist attractions in Kolkata. There is also a cricket stadium which is famous all over the world "Eden Gardens Stadium". The writers of the East India Company who used to reside in the Writers Building which is also one of the major tourist attractions in Kolkata. The journey to Kolkata is not mere a journey but a spiritual, cultural and a journey of entertainment fore the tourists who visit here.

Victoria Memorial
is a huge white-marble structure and the most enduring remnant of the British Raj in India. The structure, which is now floodlit in the night, It has been now converted into a museum that houses the most impressive collection of memorabilia's from the days of the British Raj.

Indian Museum, built in 1874, has a beautiful structure. The oldest museum in India, it has one of the rare collections of archeological artifacts. The entrance to the museum houses an original Lion Capitol, the national symbol of India. The museum is opened all days of the week except Monday. The normal timing is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fort William was constructed in 1781 after the unfortunate happenings of 1756 in which many British soldiers with their families were killed by Siraj-Ud-Daula. A large area around the village of Govindpur was cleared of the forests and this fort was constructed, which for some time also lent its name to the city. The fort is still in use and visitors are allowed inside only after getting special permits. The area around the fort is a very large patch of green known as the Maidan (ground). The Maidan is also known as the lung of Kolkata and stretches 1 km in width and 3 km in length.

Eden Garden, located in the northwest corner of the city, is a small and pleasantly laid-out garden. The place also houses the renowned cricket ground by the same name.

Birla Planetarium is one of the largest of its kind in the world, and an educational and entertaining experience. Shows in Hindi and English are held here.

Kali Mandir
is the temple dedicated to Kali, goddess of destruction. This is the temple from which the old village Kalikata took its name, which, in turn, also gave the city its name. Howrah Bridge is an excellent example of the engineering techniques of the early 20th century. The whole bridge is 450 m long without any pylons in the Hoogly River. The bridge also has the distinction of being the busiest bridge in the world catering to around 100,000 vehicles and innumerable pedestrians. When Kolkata was the capital of British India, BBD Bagh was the center of power. This is the place that houses the now famous Writer's Building (clerks were known as writers in the British India) and the old Fort William.

Belur Math, the headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission, is situated in the north of the city. The place was founded in 1899 and houses a structure that was designed to be a church, temple, and mosque all in one.

To know and understand Calcutta in its eternity, one is invited to the city during Durga Puja-a time when Calcutta becomes unforgettable. Every year, for four days, Calcutta forgets its worries and yields to a paroxysm of celebration and worship. This special time of the year comes just before the full moon in late September or October. This is a special occasion because of the transcendent place Goddess Durga holds in the Bengali imagination.

Saraswati Puja is the celebration of Saraswati, the goddess of learning. The festival is celebrated just before the coming of spring in the months of January or February.

Calcutta Book Fair is the largest in Asia and provides ample opportunities to bibliophiles to explore the fascinating world of books. The event is held every year in the month of January or February.

Shantiniketan is a very popular place to visit near Calcutta. Situated 136 km northwest of the city, this is the place where Rabindranath Tagore lived and established a university.

Bishnupur
100 km northwest of Calcutta, is yet another exciting and hitherto unexplored holiday destination. Bishnupur houses unique terracotta temples, each more beautifully embellished than the other. Once the capital of the Malla kings, Bishnupur is renowned for its crafts such as intricate Balucheri saris, the rare ganijifa (circular Indian playing card), delicate carving on shells and bell metal artifacts.

Chandernagar (35 km) is a former French settlement that still has many buildings from the colonial period of its history. The important places to visit are the Quai Dupleix, Eglise Du Sacre, and image of Joan of Arc.

Poush Mela is celebrated in the Shanti Niketan usually on the 22nd or 23rd of December. The three-day function marks the foundation of Shantiniketan.