Kolkata victoria park

Kolkata Victoria Park 

Kolkata Victoria Park 

Kolkata victoria park  is located on Jawaharlal Nehru Road. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kolkata. Every year, domestic as well as international tourists visit the memorial gardens. The memorial was created as a tribute to Queen Victoria as well as the success of the British Empire in India. It also houses a museum which is now currently maintained by the government of India.

Kolkata victoria park Highlights

The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata is a popular tourist destination and offers several highlights for visitors to enjoy. Some of the highlights include:

  1. The Building: The memorial building itself is a grand marble structure that features a mix of European and Indian architectural styles. Visitors can admire the intricate carvings, sculptures, and other embellishments on the building.
  2. The Museum: The Victoria Memorial houses a museum that has a collection of British and Indian paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, and other artifacts that reflect the art, culture, and history of the colonial era.
  3. The Gardens: The memorial is surrounded by 64 acres of beautiful gardens that include fountains, statues, and flower beds. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the gardens and enjoy the greenery.
  4. The Royal Gallery: The Royal Gallery inside the Victoria Memorial has a collection of paintings of Queen Victoria and other members of the British royal family.
  5. The Indian Museum: The Indian Museum inside the memorial has a rich collection of Indian art, artifacts and sculptures including terracotta, bronze, and stone images of Indian deities, and also has a collection of manuscripts, coins, and other historical items.
  6. The Great Lawn: The Great Lawn is a vast open space in the front of the Memorial where visitors can relax and enjoy the views of the memorial building and the surrounding gardens.

History of the park:

Victoria Memorial is a large marble building in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, which was built between 1906 and 1921. It is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria (1819-1901) and serves as a museum and tourist destination. The memorial is located in the heart of Kolkata, on the Maidan (a large open field), near the south bank of the Hooghly River. The building is a mix of European and Indian architectural styles, and features gardens, galleries, and a museum. The Victoria Memorial has a collection of British and Indian paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, and other artifacts that reflect the art, culture, and history of the colonial era.

Things to do

Victoria Memorial in Kolkata offers several things to do for visitors. Here are a few:

  1. Visit the Museum: The Victoria Memorial houses a museum that has a collection of British and Indian paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, and other artifacts that reflect the art, culture, and history of the colonial era.
  2. Take a Tour: Guided tours of the memorial building and the museum are available for visitors. This is a great way to learn more about the history and architecture of the building and the artifacts on display.
  3. Explore the Gardens: The memorial is surrounded by 64 acres of beautiful gardens that include fountains, statues, and flower beds. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the gardens and enjoy the greenery.
  4. Attend Cultural Programs: The Victoria Memorial also hosts cultural programs like music and dance performances, art exhibitions, and lectures on a regular basis.
  5. Photography: Visitors can take photographs of the memorial building and the surrounding gardens.
  6. Relax and Enjoy: Visitors can relax and enjoy the views of the memorial building and the surrounding gardens.
  7. Shop for souvenirs: The Victoria Memorial has a souvenir shop which sells postcards, books, and other memorabilia related to the Memorial, the colonial era, and Kolkata.

The architecture of Victoria Memorial

The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata is a grand marble building that was designed by Sir William Emerson and built between 1906 and 1921. The building is a mix of European and Indian architectural styles, with influences from Italian Renaissance and British colonial architecture.

The memorial building is shaped like a domed rotunda, with a central dome that is over 60 meters high and surrounded by smaller domes. The central dome is topped by a statue of Victory, which is made of copper and gilded with gold. The building is surrounded by 64 acres of gardens, which include fountains, statues, and flower beds.

The exterior of the building is made of white Makrana marble, which was imported from Rajasthan, India. The marble is adorned with intricate carvings, sculptures, and other embellishments, which include figures of Indian and British soldiers, elephants, lions, and other animals. The main entrance of the building is flanked by four massive marble columns, each of which is adorned with sculptures of Indian and British soldiers.

The interior of the building is equally grand and opulent, with marble floors, high ceilings, and elaborate plasterwork. The main hall of the building is the central hall, which is a large domed chamber that is lit by natural light from a skylight. The central hall is adorned with frescoes, murals, and sculptures, which depict scenes from British and Indian history.

Overall, the architecture of the Victoria Memorial is a perfect blend of European and Indian styles and is a true representation of the British colonial era.

Interesting facts

The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata is a significant historical and cultural landmark, and there are several interesting facts associated with it. Here are a few:

  1. The Victoria Memorial was built in memory of Queen Victoria, who ruled over the British Empire from 1837 to 1901.
  2. The building was designed by British architect Sir William Emerson, who won a competition to design the memorial in 1901.
  3. Construction of the memorial began in 1906 and was completed in 1921, at a cost of over 1.5 million pounds.
  4. The Victoria Memorial is made of white Makrana marble, which was imported from Rajasthan, India.
  5. The memorial building is shaped like a domed rotunda, with a central dome that is over 60 meters high and surrounded by smaller domes.
  6. The memorial is surrounded by 64 acres of gardens, which include fountains, statues, and flower beds.
  7. The Victoria Memorial has a collection of over 25,000 artifacts, including British and Indian paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, and other items that reflect the art, culture, and history of the colonial era.
  8. The Royal Gallery inside the Victoria Memorial has a collection of paintings of Queen Victoria and other members of the British royal family
  9. The Indian Museum inside the memorial has a rich collection of Indian art, artifacts and sculptures including terracotta, bronze, and stone images of Indian deities, and also has a collection of manuscripts, coins, and other historical items.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata depends on what you want to see and do. Here are a few things to consider:

  1. Weather: The months from October to March are considered the best time to visit Kolkata, as the weather is mild and pleasant. However, during the months of December and January, the weather can be quite cold.
  2. Cultural Programs: Victoria Memorial hosts cultural programs like music and dance performances, art exhibitions, and lectures on a regular basis. Check their official website or ask at the front desk to know more about the upcoming events.
  3. Garden: The memorial is surrounded by 64 acres of beautiful gardens that include fountains, statues, and flower beds. The gardens are at their best during the months of October to March, when the flowers are in full bloom.
  4. Photography: Visitors can take photographs of the memorial building and the surrounding gardens. The building is illuminated at night and can be a great spot for photography.
  5. Crowd: The Victoria Memorial can get quite crowded during the peak tourist season, which is from October to March. If you prefer to avoid crowds, you may want to visit during the off-peak season.

Overall, the best time to visit the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata is during the months of October to March, when the weather is mild and pleasant, the gardens are in full bloom, and cultural programs are in full swing. However, you can visit the memorial at any time of the year, depending on your preferences and interests.

How to reach

The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata is easily accessible by various modes of transportation. Here are a few options:

  1. By Bus: Kolkata has a well-connected network of buses, and the Victoria Memorial is well served by many local and long-distance buses. Buses are available from different parts of the city, and you can take a bus to the nearest bus stop and then walk to the memorial.
  2. By Train: The nearest railway station to Victoria Memorial is Howrah Railway Station, which is about 15 km away. From there you can take a taxi or bus to reach Victoria Memorial.
  3. By Air: The nearest airport is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, which is about 18 km away. From there you can take a taxi or bus to reach Victoria Memorial.
  4. By Car: If you’re travelling by car, you can reach Victoria Memorial by taking the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass or Park Street. You can also take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to reach the memorial.
  5. By Walk: Victoria Memorial is well connected by road and you can also reach by walking from the nearest bus stop and railway station.

Overall, Victoria Memorial is well connected by various modes of transportation, and it’s easy to reach from any part of the city. It’s always best to plan your trip in advance and check for the best route.

Victoria Memorial Entry fees

The entry fee for the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, India, varies depending on the type of visitor and the time of year. Here is an overview of the current fees:

  1. Indian Citizens: For Indian citizens, the entry fee for the Victoria Memorial is INR 20 per person.
  2. Foreign Citizens: For foreign citizens, the entry fee for the Victoria Memorial is INR 300 per person.
  3. Children: Children below the age of 15 years are allowed free entry.
  4. Students: Students with valid ID card are allowed free entry.
  5. Camera charges: Camera charges (still) INR 25 and (video) INR 200
  6. Audio Guide: Audio guide is available in English and Hindi at a cost of INR 50 per person.
  7. Entry to Museum: An additional INR 20 is charged for entry to the museum.

These fees are subject to change, so it’s always best to check the official website of Victoria Memorial or call the museum for the most up-to-date information.

It is opened from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all days of the week, except Monday.

Near by Attractions

The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata is located in a central area of the city and there are several nearby attractions that visitors may want to explore. Here are a few:

  1. Maidan: The Victoria Memorial is located in the heart of Maidan, a large open park in the center of Kolkata. Visitors can take a stroll through the park and see several other historical and cultural landmarks like Fort William, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Indian Museum.
  2. St. Paul’s Cathedral: Located just a few minutes’ walk from Victoria Memorial, St. Paul’s Cathedral is an architectural marvel built in 1847 and is one of the oldest and most important churches in Kolkata.
  3. Indian Museum: The Indian Museum is one of the oldest museums in the country and has a rich collection of Indian art, artifacts, and sculptures including terracotta, bronze, and stone images of Indian deities, and also has a collection of manuscripts, coins, and other historical items.
  4. Birla Planetarium: The Birla Planetarium is a popular tourist attraction in Kolkata, and it’s just a short walk from the Victoria Memorial. Visitors can see shows on astronomy, space science, and other related topics in the planetarium.
  5. Park Street: Park Street is a popular shopping and dining area in Kolkata, and it’s just a few minutes walk from the Victoria Memorial. Visitors can explore the shops, restaurants, and cafes on Park Street and take a stroll down this historic street.
  6. Howrah Bridge: The Howrah Bridge, also known as Rabindra Setu, is a cantilever bridge over the Hooghly River and is considered as one of the landmarks of Kolkata. It is just 6 km away from the Victoria Memorial.
  7. Mother House: Mother Teresa’s tomb is located in the Mother House, the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, and is considered a pilgrimage site for many Catholics. Mother House is located 5km away from Victoria Memorial.

These are just a few examples of the many nearby attractions of Victoria Memorial. Visitors can easily explore many of the city’s landmarks and culture on foot, by public transport, or by rickshaw.

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