Kolkata – the City of Joy, is very rightly addressed by renowned French Author Dominique Lapierre. The city is having few most appealing features of natural, historical and cultural importance which permits all the rights of the Kolkatans to rejoice. Out of the numerous, few most important ones are like –
THE GREAT BANYAN TREE at the BOTANICAL GARDEN OF KOLKATA
Covering an area of 14,500 square meters or 3.5 acres of land, the Great Banyan Tree at the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden is the oldest, largest and biggest banyan tree in the world. 2,800 aerial roots populate the entire area covered by it and often visitors fall in a dilemma as if they are approaching a banyan tree or a forest!
The oldest cricket stadium of India – EDEN GARDENS
Named after the Eden sisters of Lord Auckland – the then Governor-General of India, the first cricket stadium of India got established in 1864. A premise gifted by Babu Rajchandra Das, the area is the greatest centre of attraction besides river Hooghly. The first recorded test match was played between India and England in 1934 followed by one of the greatest One-day International Match in 1987 between India and Pakistan. After series of reconstructions and renovations, currently, Eden Gardens can accommodate approximately 100000 spectators in its lap.
The largest Science Centre of India – SCIENCE CITY
The Science City of Kolkata is the largest science centre in the Indian subcontinent, managed by National Council of Science Museums, Ministry of Culture, Government of India. With a giant footfall of 29.90 million since its inception on July 01, 1997, it is a centre of a welcoming garden of science and environment friendly landscape.
The oldest electric TRAM system of Asia
Everywhere they burn the rails, but in Kolkata, we have rail coaches on road. Ever since 1873, Trams are one of the greatest possessions of the city on the perspectives of its culture and heritage. A daily ridership count of 255000 not only makes it the greatest but the oldest electric tram system of Asia since its inception.
The first Underground Metro Railway System in India – KOLKATA METRO RAILWAY
Spread over a length of 27.22 kilometers Kolkata Metro Railway is the oldest and second busiest Metro Railway Services in India since it started operating on October 24, 1984. The 300 metro services daily carries more than 700000 passengers and due to its load of operation, Kolkata Metro was declared to be the 17th zone of the Indian Railways operated by the Ministry of Railways. Constructions and operations are going on to expand the network by connecting prominent locations of the city in the chain of stations of Kolkata Metro services. The overall expansion is going to range from 93.28 kilometers addition to the operational network of Kolkata Metro.
The second oldest Golf Club of the World – The ROYAL CALCUTTA GOLF CLUB
Established in 1829, the Royal Calcutta Golf Club is the second oldest Golf Club of the World after the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St. Andrews, United Kingdom. It is the oldest golf club of Asia and the first golf club outside Great Britain. The Royal Calcutta Golf Club is an 18-hole golf course with yardage of 7195/6871 comprising of flat terrains, small greens and natural water hazards.
The largest Football Stadium of India – SALT LAKE STADIUM
With a current sitting capacity of 80000 spectators, Salt Lake Stadium is the largest Football Stadium of India. Before its renovation in 2011, Salt Lake Stadium was the second largest football stadium in the world with a seating capacity of 120000 spectators. It has a record attendance of 131781 spectators during the Federation Cup semifinals between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in 1997.
The only Chinatown in India – TANGRA CHINATOWN
Crowded with restaurants and pubs offering elegant and delicious Indo-Chinese cuisines, Tangra Chinatown, is the oldest and only Chinatown in India. The place is the hub of all legendary Chinese restaurants and an ideal place to visit if you want to relish the delicacies of Kolkata-Chinese food flavor.
The oldest Hotel of India – The LaLiT GREAT EASTERN HOTEL
Facing a series of changes in ownership since its inception in 1840, The LaLiT Great Eastern Hotel is the oldest hotel in India. Started on the name of The Auckland Hotel in 1840, the exquisite and elegant boarding place is holds all the touches of heritage and has three sections – Heritage I, Heritage II and New Block with five restaurants serving cuisines of all spices and flavors hailing from all corners of the world.
