One of the friendliest cities in the country, Calcutta enjoys a reputation of being the cultural capital of India. A great holiday destination, Calcutta is known for its colonial heritage and rich history. There are plenty of things to do in this huge metropolis and many interesting places to visit. Listed below are some interesting things that you may want to try out while in Calcutta.
Water sports
For the adventurous there are plenty of interesting things to do. You can go parasailing at Nalban Lake or Salt Lake both of which offer excellent water sports facilities. These lakes also offer visitors various boating activities and are plenty of fun for the entire family. You can go for a boat ride by paddle boat, shikara, speed boat, or by hovercraft or you can take a water scooter ride around the lake. If you enjoy a more relaxed paced of entertainment you can visit the house boats and floating restaurants in the area. Many of the major hotels and resorts in Calcutta have boating facilities readily available for their guests. If you enjoy canoeing or kayaking visit the Rabindra Sarobar Park located in Dhakuria, in the south of the city.
Visit the Cinemas
For those who enjoy the movies, Calcutta has plenty of movie and cinema houses that show pictures in English, Hindu, and the various southern dialects spoken in India such as Tamil, Bengali, Telugu and Malayalam. Theatres such as the Globe, the Lighthouse and the New Empire show movies in English, while most other cinema houses show Hindi movies. The best movie theatre in the city is the Nandan, which was inaugurated by the famous Satyajit Ray, India’s most prolific director.
Cruise the Hoogly
When in Calcutta, a cruise along the River Hoogly is an interesting experience as it shows visitors a different side of India. Managed by the West Bengal Department of Tourism this three day river cruise down the Hoogly takes you to places like Murshidabad, Chandannagore, Kalna and Belur Math. So hop aboard the MV Chitrarekha from Outram Ghat jetty and have the trip of a lifetime.
Visit the Zoo
The Calcutta Zoological Gardens is the largest and oldest zoo in India. Opened in January 1876, this zoo is a big tourist attraction because it is home to the rare white Bengal Tigers. This 16 hectare zoo also houses a wide variety of animals, reptiles and birds from all over the world as well as a reptile house, an aquarium and a children’s zoo. The zoo is open daily from 6 am to 5pm.
Cricket
For the avid cricketer Calcutta has plenty to offer. Visit the world renowned Eden Gardens, one of the largest stadiums in the world with regards to crowd capacity and enjoy a cricket match or two. Here the big boys from Australia, England, and Pakistan come to play one day and test matches at the amazing ground. For a more rustic approach to cricket visit the Maidan or the tiny back alleys and streets of the city where local matches are played on a daily basis.
Golf
Golf is very popular in Calcutta. Located here is the Royal Calcutta Golf Club, the second oldest golf club outside Britain that was built in 1892. Visited by King George V and Queen Mary in 1911, this professional golf course comprises of 18 holes. The only “ladies only” golf club in the world, the Ladies Golf Club is a nine-hole course located on J.L. Nehru Road. No men are allowed in this club.
Horse Racing
Horse racing is very popular in Calcutta especially from July to September and from November to March when most of the races are held. These races are usually on a Saturday at the Royal Calcutta Turf. If your prefer to go horse riding, try the Tollygunge Club, however the only catch is that you have to be a club member or a guest of a club member. If you enjoy polo, then call the Polo Club in the city is a great place to test your skill or just enjoy a match from the sidelines.
Meditation & Yoga
Calcutta is a very spiritual place with plenty of churches, mosques, and temples built all over the city. Many places offer meditation and yoga classes for novices as well as for experts. The Rabindra Sarobar Park also has a yoga and meditation center that is quite popular with locals as well as foreigners.
