Around Kolkata

Enroute to Sikkim, we took a day long halt in the erstwhile British Capital City for a quick sightseeing.  Our hotel was located close to the river Hooghly in a dilapidated area, made me think that we were better off staying in the Airport waiting area instead. The train for Sikkim was scheduled for the night so we had an entire day at our disposal. We had already made a list of things to see – primarily the Banyan Tree, Victoria Memorial and the Dakshineshwar Temple

Kolkata is subject to a tropical wet-and-dry climate. Summers are hot and humid, and an occasional tourist may find it uncomfortable to move around during daytime in the stifling heat. Ambassador taxis are still in existence here and doing a thriving business, we hired one for the entire day   

Our first stop was the Banyan tree in the Botanical Gardens. The widest tree in the world looks more like a forest than an individual tree and is estimated to be about 200 to 250 years old. It finds mention in the Guinness Book of Records for this. It became diseased after it was struck by lightning, so the main trunk of the tree was pruned to keep it healthy; and it continues to grow day by day spreading its areal roots across the Botanical Gardens

Stop 2 – the Dakshineswar temple dedicated to goddess Kali. The temple, constructed in Navratna style, with 12 spires rises over 100 feet high. There are 12 other temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in the vicinity. The enormous courtyard was thronged by devotees and tourists, today being a weekend. The famed religious thinker Rama Krishna Paramahamsa achieved his spiritual vision here, it must have been indeed a hallowed precinct during his days with the Ganga (Hooghly) flowsing besides the temple. His room, located nearby is open to tourists. Another nearby attraction is the Belur Math which is the headquarters of the Ramkrishna Mission founded by Swami Vivekananda. The architecture of the Temple derives its influence from a number of religions, to convey the "universal faith" in which the movement believes. It has a good Book Store selling Philosophical literature; you may find loads of books on Yoga, Swami Vivekananda and his life and an extensive collection on the Upanishads  

Final destination - The Memorial constructed by Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, on the death of Queen Victoria, a stately, spacious, grand building with an exquisite garden. Sir William Emerson, President of the British Institute of Architects, designed this building, while the work of construction was entrusted to Messrs. Martin & Co. of Calcutta. King George V, the Prince of Wales, laid the foundation stone on January 4, 1906 and it was opened to the public in 1921. The visit proved eventful as we witnessed a Tollywood film being shot here. In Kolkata people idolize Uttam Kumar, but we sighted the other Star who is a Bengali and has gained more popularity in Bollywood instead - Mithun Chakarborty.