Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, it is a beautiful city that is a perfect blend of old and modern. Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal and is one of the most famous cities in India. It was the former capital of British India. The city represents the eastern culture of India.
It is known as the City of Joy- for the soul of the city itself is joyful, added with culture, respect, enthusiasm, patriotism, and the beautiful emotion of all the proud citizens. Being the former capital of India, there is a lot of British architecture found in the city. Kolkata is a city for everyone, culture enthusiast, book worm, sports lover, foodie, or just looking out for wandering around; it is indeed an ideal place to be in.
Kalikata, derived from Kalilkshetra as in the “Ground of Goddess Kali”, gives the city its former name. In 2001, the city’s name was officially changed from Calcutta to Kolkata. It is the third-most populous metropolitan city, with several noble laureates contributing to the city’s culture. It is the centre of liberal arts, drama, theatre and literature. Satyajit Ray, Rabindranath Tagore, Amartya Sen, Mother Teresa, and many others have been a part of the city. The city is often known as the cultural capital of India. The city is also a hub of intellectuals.
The world’s largest public library- National Library of India and the second largest book market globally- College The street are both present in Kolkata. The city has the world’s second-largest planetarium- Birla Planetarium. India’s only riverine port is also in this city itself. Not just these, many places make the city a Jewel of the East.
Public transportation is the lifeline of the city. Autorickshaws to buses, there is a wide range of options available. It is effective, fast and connects the city as well. Kolkata is one of the few cities in the world where trams are still running. Trams provide a comfortable and relaxed experience.
Street food of Kolkata is the love of not just visitors but the residents too. The city has many sweet delicacies and people from all across the globe, who have a sweet tooth, visit the city to enjoy the rich taste of sweetness in the city- with Mishti Doi and Roshogollas being the ones winning hearts for ages.
The city is cheap and affordable, as compared to other metro cities. The food here is also budget-friendly. A 50rs lunch can fill you up easily. People here are friendly and welcoming to the tourists, not there to prey upon you. It’s not just home to culture but also a number of religions. People from China and Bangladesh also live in the city. The oldest church in the city is Armenian. There are some Jewish bakeries also present.
Today Kolkata is a metropolis with high rise buildings, vibrant nightlife, large corporate offices and the underground metro. However, the city still manages to maintain its cultural form with numerous mementoes all throughout the city. Above all, Kolkatans love Kolkata. Whenever they talk about their city, despite its flaws, there is a sparkle in their eyes.
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