Calcutta is the third largest city in terms of population with its surrounding area India and the economic center of Bengal.
.JPG/240px-Marxengelskolkata_(9).JPG) | ||
| Kolkata; Bengal .: কলকাতা Kalkātā; engl .: Calcutta | ||
| Country | West Bengal | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | with surrounding area approx. 15 million | |
other value for residents on Wikidata: 4496694   | ||
| height | 9 m | |
| Tourist info | 91 33 2248 8271 West Bengal Tourism | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
| ||
Districts
The city is administratively divided into 15 districts (wards) divided. The inner-city districts of Chowringee / Sudder St. and BBD Bagh, in the past, are of particular tourist interest Dalhousie.Salt Lake City is a test tube town in the northeast, towards the airport. Dum dum, lies in the north during colonial times, the ammunition factory there developed the bullets of the same name. Howrah (= Hoara) is the district with the main train station on the right bank of the Hooghly (pronounced: Hugli).
background
Calcutta was the capital of British India from the end of the 18th century until 1911. With the administrative division of Bengal in 1905, a very active anti-British revolutionary movement began here. Travel reports from the post-war period up to the 1970s are full of horror stories about the noise and dirt including the associated diseases and general chaos in the city, which is not surprising, given the lack of planning and uncontrolled immigration (starting with the Bengal famine in 1943/44 with 3 million deaths) or of the civil war refugees (1947/8 and 1971). In contrast to other major Indian cities, like the one that is completely chaotic today Lucknow, The city and state were ruled for many years by the Left Front under the leadership of the CPI-M. Despite the massive problems described in a country without social security, this succeeded in building a reasonably functioning infrastructure and school system from the 1980s onwards. One of the reasons for this may be that the comrades were a little less corrupt than the neo-liberal politicians from Congress and the Hindu nationalists of the BJP in the central government. West Bengal has the lowest percentage of illiterate people today (next to those who are also ruled by communists Kerala) and a politically conscious workforce. This manifests itself in the not uncommon (spontaneous) strikes and protests (bandh) but also in smaller details, such as the flower-wreathed portrait of Lenin in the switch room of the electricity company.
Some renamed streets are still called by their old names e.g. Chowringhee Rd. Instead of Jawaharlal Nehru Rd .; Dalhousie Sq., Instead of BBD Bagh; Theater Rd. Instead of Shakespeare Sarani and Park St. instead of Mother Teresa Sarani.
getting there
By plane
(IATA: CCU, ICAO: VECC) is the international airport around 17 km from the city center that used to be Dum Dum Airport was called. It is a hub for Indian companies Air India Regional,Blue Dart Aviation,Indigo,SpiceJet and Spirit Air (India), so that there are numerous connections to all Indian airports. A ten-year expansion program began in 2005, and the new terminal, which opened in 2013, now meets international requirements. From the airport train station Biman Bandar has been connected to Dumdum since 2005. A direct underground connection is planned.
Arab airlines provide the cheapest connections from Europe. China Eastern flies to Kunming.
By train
Of 1 Calcutta Chitpur Mainly local trains run, but also three times a week the Maitree Express to Dhaka.
The two-part terminus
mainly serves the traffic in the region. There is also a special reservation desk here. On all Indian timetables, the main train station is always as
recorded. From here all long-distance trains run on the two main routes to Delhi as well as to the south. The one opened in 2006 is located about 200 m south of the river Rail Museum with a miniature train.
Booking offices
In order to receive a reservation by means of the tourist quota, the operation is on 4 Fairly place (with pulling numbers and sometimes hours of waiting) organized extremely inefficiently, but there is a counter for that Maitree Express to Dhaka. Outside of peak times e.g. at Divali in November, one becomes fully computerized in the near
With over twenty counters without a quota, it can usually be served faster. There is another booking office in the district
.
By bus
The bus station
is the end point for most long-distance buses.
Fares can be divided between state and private operators - e.g. RedbusMyticketbuddy or Bengal tiger to Patna 400 Rs. - and vary depending on the quality of the vehicle (air-conditioned?). It can be profitable to make bookings in travel agencies for a small surcharge in Sudder St., as the bus station is a bit outside.
The state West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation (WBSTC) operates regional buses and ferries outside the capital.
In the northern part of the state, e.g. to Siliguri and further after Darjeeling or Kalimpong, moves North Bengal State Transport (stretch)
In June 2015 a line from Kolkata-Dhaka was opened again.Agartala, i.e. across Bangladesh in the state Tripura. The distance between the endpoints is shortened from 1650 to around 500 kilometers. Due to the paperwork associated with the trip, the route should hardly be of interest to tourists.
The airport bus (every 10-15 minutes during the day) and numerous regional lines of the SBSTC serve the inner-city
By boat
There is a ferry to Pt. Blair, capital of the Andaman Islands (Timetable 2015). It must be in
Reserved at least two days in advance. Prices for 2015/16 are between Rs. 2070 (simplest flatbed) and Rs. 9280 in the deluxe double cabin (€ 29-130). The ships lay from the 9 Kidderpore Docks from. Some trips run over Madras. The necessary Permit foreigners receive on arrival.
mobility
Dynamic cards- Network plans
Tram network map (2008).
Metro network (planning; 2010)
Location of Kolkata-Chitpur train station, officially today Kolkata Railway Station.
Calcutta is, after almost fifty years of progressive administration, one of the few cities in India where drivers pay attention to red traffic lights and taxi drivers usually turn on their taximeters without any problems.
In addition to the nationally common bicycle and auto rickshaws, there are also human-drawn rickshaws in the old town, the price is to be negotiated.
The Calcutta State Transport Corp. operates the city buses with their numbers S. start (Route directory). Especially those that are not air-conditioned are often overcrowded. Other routes are operated by licensed private entrepreneurs. The central end point, including most of the tram lines, is at the Esplanade.
On the Hooghly, CSTC ferries run between Howrah station to Arladaha, with various moorings (Jetty or Ghats). Tickets cost Rs 6-10 in 2015. The ride on the not very new barges is certainly a bit adventurous but can be useful, especially to reach the botanical garden.
Another route goes from Arladaha to 10 Uttarpara. This route is for visiting the
suitable. The Dakshineswar local train station is about 400 m away. Brahmins who smuggle visitors past the queue into the temple pay dearly for this completely unnecessary "service".
- tram
The state Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC) operates the tram network with 25 routes. With the expansion of the underground, tram operations will be restricted. Especially the junk boxes in the city center, many vehicles were imported from England before 1952, but should be an experience for enthusiasts. The company also operates 50 bus routes.
- Subway
The metro, opened in 1984 (Kolkata Metro) is not operated by the European client like the one in Delhi, but under Indian management, so the traces of decay are clearly more visible. Currently only line 1 (north-south) runs between Noapara and Kavi Subhash with 23 stops. Large luggage is not allowed. There are people scanners at many entrances, but they are seldom in operation (or functional).
Nine kilometers of line 2 (east-west; Howrah to Sealdah via Central) are scheduled to start operating in September 2015. the extension to Salt Lake should be ready in 2017, 2020[outdated] should be a more realistic assumption, even without Hartmut Mehdorn managing the construction.
Tourist Attractions
The tourist office in the BBD Bagh is that
does not impress with efficiency. The nationwide widespread price apartheid is practiced at numerous sights. In Calcutta they are particularly bold and often ask foreigners 15-25 times the price for Indians.
BBD Bagh
The residence of the merchant Raja Rajendra Mullick was built in 1835 in a neoclassical style full of marble
. The adjoining small zoo is mainly home to birds, and directly behind it is the house (now a museum) of the
a family that produced what is arguably the most famous Bengali poet. The oldest Anglican church, financed through a lottery in 1784, is the
. There are several monuments on the site.
In / On the Maidan
The central park Maidan can be reached in the east from the subway station of the same name or in the north via the 11 Eden Garden Railway right on the Hooghly. There are numerous sights in the central, moderately well-kept green area:
- The racecourse takes up a substantial part of the southern area Calcutta Race Course a. Races take place on Saturdays during the July to September and November to March season.
Other sports clubs have their headquarters in the park.
- . Started on the occasion of the diamond jubilee of Victoria, completed 25 years later, it is a marble-set manifestation of bygone colonial glory. Inside there is that Kolkata Gallery. A “sound and light show” is offered in the evening (Tuesday-Sunday, in winter 7.15pm, March-June 7.45pm). The surrounding park is accessible for low admission from 5.45-17.45.
- 5 St. Paul's Cathedral, Cathedral Rd. Tel.: 91 33 2223 2802. Open: 9 a.m. - 12 a.m., 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.is an Anglican church built in 1839-47 like them in the home counties of the motherland could stand.
- shows mostly local art, mostly of high quality.
- It is less than 100 meters north of the cathedral Birla-Planetarium. Two half-hour demonstrations are held daily in English.
- Fort Wiliam, the original British base, is still a restricted military area and can only be viewed from the outside. In World War II it served as a Internment camp for Germans.
- The town hall 6 Calcutta Town Hall is in the neoclassical style. That is also there Indian Natonal Army Memorial.
- The revolutionary 7 Pritilata Waddedar which in 1932 stormed a club that denied entry to "dogs and bengali" a memorial was dedicated.
- The cricket stadium, which was renovated in 2011, is located at the north end of the Maidan near the river 8 Eden Gardens with 66,000 seats, that's right next to it Netaji Indoor Stadium.
- In the northeast corner of the Maidan is that 9 Lenin monument, Jawaharlal Nehru Rd./Lenin Sarani Rd.
- Founded in 1814 Indian Museum, 27 Jawaharlal Nehru Rd., Park Street area, 700016. Price: Indians 10 Rs., Foreigners 150 Rs.Unfortunately, parts of the house are in a bad structural condition, so that individual departments are closed at short notice.
Alipore
Alipore is the district south of the Maidan along the main street of the same name.
There is the 16 hectare large at the north end
. On the opposite. Side of Alipore Rd. Is the aquarium. Then is the
with a monument to the last great empire builder, the Viceroy Curzon. The bus stop of the same name is about 100 m away.
About 300 m south of the National Library is the one accessible for low admission Horticultural Garden (6.00-10.00, 14.00-19.00) for relaxation.
The one built in 1809
is the most important Hindu sanctuary in the city. As entry, a donation of 20-30 Rs. (Even numbers bring bad luck) is appropriate
one can get an impression of this religion.
In Howrah
The one worth seeing, 109 hectares in size
has two entrances. Unfortunately, it is not easy to get to from the city center by public transport. The main attraction is a ramified one about 260 years old Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis), whereby the actual trunk was already rotten 100 years ago, the secondary trunks of which have emerged from aerial roots but continue to spread. There is a large collection of cacti. Jackals, mongooses, Indian foxes and other rare animal species live in the park.
is the center of the Ramakrishna mission. There are several temples in the immediate vicinity. That is also part of this organization
activities
Meditations in
. Sri Aurobindo (* 1882) was a Calcutta-born Bengali revolutionary who turned into a yoga guru, and with his French wife, "the mother," in Pondicherry safe from British persecution, created a religious center from which Auroville Mother Teresas is besieged by professional beggars
with his museum. Volunteers who want to be exploited by this organization belonging to the Catholic Church (which is known to have no money) can attend an introductory event at 78 AJC Bose Rd. Mon., Wed., Fri. The organization's financial conduct and frequent forced baptisms of the dying have come under fire since the early 1990s.[1] There are over 200 other charities in the city, many of which have more clients than Mother Teresa.
In the Dover Lane Music Conference Indian classical music will be played in said street for three days at the end of January.
The book fair takes place every year from the last Wednesday in January to the first Sunday in February (Kolkata Book Fair) at the Milan Mela at Science City on E.M. bypass instead of. It is the third largest such event in the world.
The Kolkata International Film Festival has been taking place in the second half of November since 1995.
shop
The area of the
is the oldest bazaar district.
In Calcutta's supermarkets, every customer is treated as a potential shoplifter. Not only are bags to be handed in at the entrance, shopping bags are often checked behind the checkouts by security guards and their contents compared with the receipt.
Cutter: Especially in the bazaar area there are numerous men's tailors who deliver good quality in about ten days for € 150-200 including material. However, you should have a clear idea (fashion magazine photos) what you want in order not to get an old-fashioned suit. Action is essential.
There are a number of well-stocked second-hand bookshops in the area of the Sudder St. / Mirza Ghalib St. intersection.
The area of the
Around a Victorian market hall is located immediately north of the Sudder St. district. This bazaar offers everything you would expect from a bazaar with supply, noise, dirt and chaos.
- Park Street (Mother Teresa Sarani)
Is an inner city area with shops in the higher price range and a night out for one or two western demands.
kitchen
A big city like Calcutta has food from all over the country. You also get Chinese, Thai and Continental. But it is also cooked in Bengali, in addition to Punjabi or North Indian preparations and some South Indian dishes. Mughlai dishes are also popular.
Bengali sweets are known all over India.
- Sandesh.
is a dessert made from milk and sugar to which all kinds of flavorings are added. Some Sandesh recipes call for chhena, a sour milk whey or paneer, a cream cheese made from cow's milk, instead of milk.
- Roshogolla.cheese balls are dipped in sugary syrup, Panthua are a fried variant of the same, Roshomalai the same cheese balls are dipped in creamy, sweetened milk.
- Mishti Doi.is a sweet yogurt.
Sandesh
Roshogolla
Mishti Doi
nightlife
Every visitor has to decide for himself whether the few, often very dark “bars” that target Indian male customers are suitable for tourists. Otherwise you have to rely on the bars of luxury hotels. Due to the divided relationship to alcohol consumption in India, there may be difficulties with serving.
accommodation
Accommodation is overpriced for the level offered compared to the rest of India.
(Prices summer 2015)
- The 1 Youth Hostel (YHA), Kim Lawn Guest House, IA-275, Sector-III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700097 (comparatively remote subway: M.G. 6 km away, Sovabazar Sutanati 7 km; 16 km to Howrah Railway Station). Tel.: 91 94335 66172. Open: check-in: 7 a.m.-11 p.m.generally receives mixed reviews.
- Chowringee - Sudder Street
The area around Sudder St. (between Chowringhee Lane and Mirza Ghalib St.; Underground: Esplanade or Park St.) has been the accommodation mecca for foreign travelers for decades. There are countless accommodations of varying quality in the district. A foreigner with luggage will quickly be approached by smugglers.
- The Salvation Army operates the rudimentary one Salvation Army Red Shield Guest House, 2, Sudder Street. Tel.: 91 33 22861659. Price: 8-10 bed dorm: Rs. 60, double Rs. 180.
- Well known and centrally located but of poor quality 2 Chowringhee YMCA, 25 J. Nehru Rd.
- 3 Capital Guest House, 11B, Chowringhee Lane (right behind the Indian Museum). Tel.: 91 33 2252 0598. Price: single 590 Rs., Double: 790-980 Rs.
- Somewhat off the road is the decent place by Indian standards
Upscale
- 5 Fairlawns Hotel, 14 Sudder St, New Market Area, Dharmatala, 700016. Tel.: 91 33 2252 1510. Open: check-out 11.00 a.m.Price: (Winter 2015/16) single 3000; Double Rs.3,700; 18% tax 5% service.. Family-owned since 1936, completely renovated in 2010. Stylish with a colonial flair. The inner courtyard is also highly recommended for non-guests for a “sundowner” away from the hustle and bustle.
- It is a floating hotel in the river at the north end of the Maidan 6 Floatel, 9/10, Kolkata Jetty, Strand Road, opposite. SBI Head Quarters, 700001. Tel.: 91 33 2213 7777. Price: from € 65.
security
health
- 3 Woodlands Hospital, 8/5, Alipore Road, 700027 (between National Library Rd./ Woodland Rd.). Tel.: 91 33 2456 7075, (033) 4033 7050 (24h emergencies).with a focus on cancer, knee problems and physiotherapy. In the same block is the [Kothari Medical Center Kothari Medical Center] (ambulance: 8697708134), Birla Heart Research Institute and a research institute.
Practical advice
The documentary Born into Brothels received the Oscar for best documentary in 2004. One shows vividly the working conditions in the hooker quarter 19 Sonagachi.
The immigration office for visa extensions or, if necessary, an Andaman permit
is centrally located near the southern end of the Maidan, easily accessible from the north exit of the subway station Rabindra Sabran. Neat clothing and banknotes (200-300 Rs.) Placed in the back of the passport speed up the processing process enormously.
Consulates
- 5 Germany, 1 Hastings Park Road, Alipore, 700027. Tel.: 91 33 2479 1141, Fax: 91 (0) 33-2479 3028. Appointments are welcome.Open: Mon.-Fri. 9.00-10.00, 13.00-14.00 (Fri. only in the morning).
- 6 Switzerland, Titagarh Wagons Ltd., 756 Anandpur, Taltala. Tel.: 91.33.4019.0800, Email: [email protected].
- Neighboring countries
- 7 Bhutan, South Dum Dum, 700080. Open: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Bangladesh High Commission, 9 Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Sarani, 700017. Tel.: 91 33-4012-7500. with a consular section, which usually issues visas within three working days.
- 8 Nepal, 1, National Library Ave., 700027 (on the north side of the Birla Heart Research Institute). Tel.: 91 33 2456 1224. Open: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Postal services
Area code: 33
Postcodes: 700001–700141.
In the main post office
There is also a small postal museum (Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-4 p.m.) that can be visited free of charge. For the accommodations in the Sudder St. area, the nearest post office is the
The tailors for sewing in packages can be found in the entrance area.
In the area of Sudder St. there are numerous telephone kiosks and Internet cafes, which, like everywhere in India, copy IDs and sometimes take fingerprints and take photos of customers. Many of these shops also function as exchange offices (euros and dollars preferred) without the paperwork required in banks.
trips
- Sundarbans
literature
- Bandyopadhyay, Subir; Calcutta cycle rickshaw pullers; Calcutta 1990; ISBN 8185195277
- Banerji, Siva; City history and colonial foundation; Munich 42014 (Nusser); ISBN 9783861204138
- Christopher Hitchens, Thomas Mallon; Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice; 2012 (Twelve); ISBN (revised new edition) 9781455523009
- Knab, Barbara; Calcutta, Dhaka and back: Bengali encounters; Heidelberg 2007 (Draupadi); ISBN 9783937603209
- Map (1: 1½ million): India East: special map: Kolkata (Calcutta); Nelles 2010; ISBN 9783865742292
- ↑Criticism of Mother Teresa