Kolkata Tyre Park is the latest addition to the city of joy. This is the first of its kind in India, where the main motive of this park is to reuse the waste tires. In general, people either throw away used tyres or some people burn them, which makes the air polluted.

Hence, WBTC (West Bengal Tram Corporation) came up with an innovative idea to use these waste tyres to decorate the park. The Kolkata Tyre Park was inaugurated on 13th November 2020. Although the entire park is pretty small, but well decorated with trees, fountains, and lots of items made with tyres. Even though there are seating arrangements and snacks available in case you want to spend time with your dearest ones.

1983 World Cup Model made with Tyres

Art Work with Tyres

Kolkata Tram Model Made with Tyres

Seating arrangements

How to Reach Kolkata Tyre Park

Kolkata Tyre Park is located just beside Calcutta Tram Depot (WBTC Terminal), Esplanade. It is a 2-minute walk from the Esplanade metro or bus stop. Being the central point, the esplanade is well-connected from every corner of the city. You can take a bus, taxi, OLA, UBER, metro, or even tram (specific routes only) to reach here.

Kolkata Tyre Park Timings & Entry Fees

Kolkata Tyre Park remains open every day except Thursday from 8 AM to 8 PM at a nominal cost of Rs. 20 as an entry fee. Whereas if you have plans to visit the adjacent Smaranika Tram Museum, you can buy a combo ticket for Rs. 30 (separate tickets will cost you Rs. 20 each and are only available between 12 PM to 6:30 PM).

Note: You will get a maximum of 45 minutes to explore the place, though it is way more than what you will actually need.

Chair Made with Tyres

Cafeteria

Nearby places to visit

There are numerous places to visit nearby; a few are listed below:

• By Walk – Smaranika Tram Museum, Sahid Minar, Lal Dighi, Millennium Park, Metcalfe, St. Johns Church.
• By Bus/Cab – Princep Ghat, Victoria Memorial, M.P. Birla Planetarium, Howrah Bridge, Rabindra Sadan, Mohor Kunj, Indian Museum, Jawaharlal Nehru Children’s Museum,  etc. 

Conclusion

Kolkata Tyre Park is worth visiting if you are nearby or have come for shopping in the Esplanade area. Do not forget to check out the Smaranika Tram Museum as well. This park is so small that you can easily explore it within 5 to 10 minutes.

In case you are planning a day out in the city, especially near the Esplanade area, these two places, Kolkata Tyre Park and Smaranika Tram Museum could be a new experience for you.

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On 3rd December 2020, New Town got a Coffee House in its crown near Amity University. Although by its name it does not look like a branch of the famous “Indian Coffee House,” but still the name “Coffee House” itself holds a prestigious heritage and a nostalgic feel to all Bengalis.

Today, we will share details like how to reach, timings, food menus, and available facilities in Coffee House New Town.

Indian Coffee House is an emotional nostalgia for all Bengalis. Since it was established, people, including famous poets, artists, etc., visit this place to meet friends (আড্ডা), read books, or write. It has served many world-famous artists like Amartya Sen, Satyajit Ray, Aparna Sen, etc. and became a heritage by legendary singer Manna Dey through his song “কফি হাউসের সেই আড্ডাটা আজ আর নেই”.

Ambiance, Coffee House New Town

Coffee House at Night

History of Indian Coffee House

Indian Coffee House initially was Albert Hall, founded in April 1876, which was later converted to a cafe in 1942, followed by renaming to today’s famous Coffee House College Street in 1947.

Coffee House New Town Timings

Coffee House New Town is currently operating from 12 PM to 7 PM. As of now, due to a visitor spike, you may have to wait for 30 to 45 minutes for your turn to get inside. Even if you are planning to go single, you may need to share your table with others.

How to Reach Coffee House New Town

Coffee House New Town is located just opposite of Amity University near Eco Park. You can avail any bus to reach Rabindra Tirtha, Narkelbagan. From there HIDCO shuttle bus service (every 15-20 minutes) is available till Coffee House New Town for just 10 rupees. Otherwise, you can take your car or motorcycle or even a Taxi.

Decoration and Vibes

Indian Coffee House (College Street) is a nostalgic emotion to Bengalis, so the same kind of vibe is being replicated in a modern style. Similar to the old Coffee House, you can see the large hall, circular tables, long hanging fans, and even food menus. But to maintain the current standard of living, management has decided to add a few more amenities like AC, a library, a lift, and wall-hanging paintings. You can even feel the same kind of soothing but chaotic noise as the legendary college street Coffee House.

Paintings, Coffee House New Town

Library, Coffee House New Town

Food Menu in New Town Coffee House

The Food Menu is quite similar to the College Street Coffee House. If we talk about value for money, I would say it’s okay, although I will share my personal experience and detailed review shortly on Lily’s Infinity Blog.

Food Menu, Coffee House New Town

Infusion, Coffee House New Town

Fish Fry, Coffee House New Town

Available Facilities

• Very clean ladies’ and gentlemen’s restrooms are available
• Library Available
• Waiting Area, both outside and inside, is available
• Free Wi-Fi available
• Card payment is accepted

Parking Facility

As of now, free roadside parking for both motorcycles and cars is available. There are no other significant places nearby, hence parking availability will not be an issue.

Places to Visit Nearby

Eco Park, Eco Park Seven Wonders, Biswa Bangla Shilpi Haat, Mother’s Wax Museum, Biswa Bangla Gate are few nearby places worth visiting.

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Smaranika Tram Museum is one of the bold efforts to showcase the history of Tram and its heritage in Kolkata. Tram is no doubt an eco-friendly commute. More than 200 developed cities adopted this mode of transportation lately. Kolkata was one of the first cities to have tram service since the British era, 1873.

Now in the daily busy schedule, many people want to travel fast. Hence the tram service started to lose its charm day by day. Not only that poor maintenance, insufficient funding, and extensive work of Kolkata Metro services are also a few of the prominent reasons.

I still remember from my childhood days, there used to be a separate path for the tram. But as the population, vehicles, as well as traffic increase, many tramways started to disappear. Nowadays, near the Fort William area only has a separate tramway in the entire city. Correct me if I am wrong.

Coming to the Smaranika Tram Museum, it was inaugurated in 2014. The vintage Tram from 1938, CTC 142, completely converted to the current Smaranika Tram Museum at Nonapukur Workshop, Kolkata. Till then, it started to attract many visitors especially youngsters.

If you ever took a tram ride in Kolkata, you must know that the coaches used to divide into First class and Second class. The difference was, First class used to have fans and Second class not, hence the fare was different too. But later on 15th August 2013, CTC (Calcutta Tram Corporation) decided to match the fare and facilities of both the classes.

Before I discuss the Smaranika Tram Museum, you should look into the history of Tram services in Kolkata.

History of Tram in Kolkata

Tram was an integral part of Kolkata transportation since 1873 from its first public inaugurations. Staring from Horse-drawn Tram to steam engine tram to AC Tram, Tram evolved a lot in the last 147 years.

• 1873: First Trams run in Kolkata on 24th February 1873 (Discontinued on 20th November).
• 1880: Tram service restarts.
• 1882: Steam Engine-driven Tram introduce.
• 1902: Electricity power tram was introduced in Calcutta.
• 1905: Electricity power tram was introduced in Howrah.
• 1920: Bus service was introduced and later discontinued in 1925.
• 1927: Own power station at Nonapukur was closed and started to power from CESC (Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation).
• 1943: Howrah Kolkata tram routes linked.
• 1967: The government takes over CTC management.
• 1978: CTC, becomes a government company through enactment.
• 1982: Steel body tram introduced.
• 1992: Bus services re-introduced.
• 2008: Polycarbonate sheet covered tram introduced.
• 2013: 19th June Air Conditioned trams introduced. The same year, on 15th August Trams were made classless.

Smaranika Tram Museum Timing & Ticket

This Tram museum remains open from 1 PM to 8 PM every day except Thursday.

There is a ticket for INR 10 per person. You can spend a maximum of 45 minutes inside the Museum.

What to see at Smaranika Tram Museum

Once you enter the Tram Museum you will see the brief history of Tram in Kolkata. Afterward, all types of miniature Tram models are showcased along with short descriptions.

Then, various tickets & special tickets, special coupons, passes, and tram training school badges are also displayed.

Facilities inside Tram Museum

There are two coaches in the Tram Museum, as Cafe and Museum. This complete air-conditioned museum can accommodate approximately 15 people at once. While the Museum section hardly takes 15 minutes’ time. You can spend some time in the cafe section with a cup of tea/coffee and watch the documentaries (clips from movies featuring Tram) playing on television.

Generally, you can expect a long queue as almost 150 to 200 people visit this museum everyday.

You can also purchase postcards of Kolkata Tram at a very nominal cost.

Rules to Follow

Generally, photography and videography are not allowed inside the Tram museum to maintain the crowd properly. But you can always ask at the ticket counter for permission.

How to Reach Smaranika Tram Museum

Being located at the heart of the city, Esplanade, this Museum is easily accessible from different corners. The nearest Metro station and Bus stoppage are less than 100 meters away. Also, railway stations like Howrah and Sealdah are within 4 kilometers.

Places to visit nearby

There are many interesting places nearby. You can visit like the Indian Museum, Birla Planetarium, Victoria Memorial, Jawaharlal Nehru Children Museum, Metcalfe Hall, Princep Ghat, Howrah Bridge, RBI Museum, etc.

Conclusion

I personally want Tram services to grow further as it is the most eco-friendly way of travel in this over-polluted world. Yes, I understand that it is comparatively slower than other transports. But does that really matter? Because if it gets its own separate track it can easily run faster like early days.

There are few downsides too like electrical failure and outline problems. I believe concerned authorities can tackle these issues very easily.

As a Citizen of Kolkata, I believe everyone including the government should keep this Tram service alive not only as a heritage but also as an eco-friendly transportation option.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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The Kolkata RBI museum is an effort by the Reserve Bank of India to showcase the history of world currency, how it evolved, the importance of gold in the economy & few fun facts about gold as well. It also portrays the evolution of RBI (Reserve Bank of India), in the last 84 years, modernized digital currency, and many more. In addition, you get to see various types of coins used across the world. A few videos, slideshows, and models also display the changes in currency over the centuries.

What is the Reserve Bank of India?

RBI, the Reserve Bank of India, is a body responsible for maintaining a crucial part of the financial structure in the country, also considered a Central Banking Institution of all. They print paper currencies and make coins in places for us within a pre-defined policy. It commenced on 1st April 1935 and has been serving to date for more than 84 years. After independence on 15th August 1947, the RBI was nationalized on 1st January 1949.

The RBI plays an important part in the Development Strategy of the Government of India. It is a member bank of the Asian Clearing Union. The general superintendence and direction of the RBI is entrusted with the 21-member central board of directors: the governor; four deputy governors; two finance ministry representatives (usually the Economic Affairs Secretary and the Financial Services Secretary); ten government-nominated directors to represent important elements of India’s economy; and four directors to represent local boards headquartered at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and the capital New Delhi. Each of these local boards consists of five members who represent regional interests, the interests of co-operative and indigenous banks. To know more about RBI, click here.

Evolution of Currency

Certainly, below items were used as currency to date:

• Exchange goods and services – Long ago
• Grain – 3000 BC
• Cowries – 1200 BC
• Tools – 1000 BC
• Metal and punch-marked coins – 600 BC
• Paper Currency – AD 800
• Tughlak’s Token – AD 1300
• India’s Metal Money – AD 1556
• Gold – Mid 1800s to 1930
• Bretton Woods – 1945 to 1971
• Fiat Money – 1971 to till date
• Electronic Currency – Present

Old days Bartering currency, RBI Museum

Old Days Coin RBI Museum

Different country notes RBI Museum

Additionally, there is a section to display the importance of gold and where we stand as gold producers in the world. You can also witness a demo gold vault there, locks used to secure the vaults, and a gold bar of 12.5 Kg.

RBI Museum Demo Gold Vault

Traditional Gold Shop Model, RBI Museum

Even you can try to lift the bar, a fun fact is that the same size of iron bar weighs 5 Kg only. Gold is 2.5 times heavier than iron. In another corner, you can weigh yourself on a scale of standard 12.5 kg scale and a 1 Kg gold bar simulation.

Various machines in the note printing process are also showcased, like note stitching machines, note punching machines, bond maker machines, etc. A few tools, like a lantern, seal, gala shovel, UV lamp, knives, safe box, weights, and various locks, are on display.

Lantern, RBI Museum

Tools, RBI Museum

Lastly, lots of interactive quizzes, matching games, and presentations make this tour easily understandable.

RBI Museum Timings & Entry Fees

Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM. The Museum remains closed on Monday & National Holidays (26th January, 15th August, 2nd October).

Free entry to all, if you want to visit in a group, please book a slot on the official website.

You may also write therbimuseum@rbi.org.in or call @ 03322628452.

Facility available at the Museum

In case you need it, there is a very clean and well-maintained washroom available for use. A dedicated Kid arena is also available where children can play some indoor games like Snakes and Ladders, Carrom, etc., as well as participate in the quiz to enhance their knowledge. Additionally, to make your visit more memorable, you may purchase items from Souvenir shops, made from shredded notes and coins.

RBI Museum Gaming Zone Game 1

RBI Museum Gaming Zone Game 2

RBI Museum Gaming Zone Game 3

RBI Museum Gaming Zone Game 4

Food option near the Museum

Being in an office area, you have multiple cheap shops available nearby selling puri-sabji, roti-sabji, lassi, sweets, fruits, etc. These roadside shops remain closed on Sunday, and for obvious reasons, most of them only accept cash payments.

Rules at Kolkata RBI Museum

• Maintain silence in the exhibition gallery.
• Deposit bags at the designated counter against a refundable token.
• Put mobile phones in silent mode.
• You can use your earphones or borrow from the reception counter.
• You can carry cameras inside the gallery.
• Do not litter or take eatables inside the gallery.
• You are not allowed to smoke inside the premises.
• Touch artifacts not allowed.
• Above all, while entering the gaming zone, take off your shoes to keep the place clean.

How to Reach the RBI Museum

This museum is located just beside HSBC Bank (Hong Kong Building), Dalhousie (BBD Bagh). Therefore, buses are available from every corner of the city, even you can reach the Central metro station and then take a bus for 10 minutes to reach. Also, the nearest Landmarks are Lal Dighi, GPO, High Court, Banksal Court, and Raj Bhawan.

Nearby places to visit

There are numerous places to visit nearby; a few are listed below:

• By Walk – Lal Dighi, Millennium Park, Metcalfe, St. Johns Church.
• By Bus/Cab – Princep Ghat, Sahid Minar, Victoria Memorial, M.P. Birla Planetarium, Rabindra Sadan, Mohor Kunj, Indian Museum, Jawaharlal Nehru Children’s Museum, Howrah Bridge, Smaranika Tram Museum, etc.

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M P Birla Planetarium is one of the most significant educational places in Kolkata. Students or anyone who loves to know about the galaxy, the universe, and its secrets, should visit this place. The planetarium opened its doors on 29th September 1962. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (Prime Minister of India at that time) inaugurated this planetarium on 2nd July 1963. It is an iconic structure built after the famous Buddhist Stupa at Sanchi. The planetarium is located at 96, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, adjacent to St. Paul’s Cathedral Church. It is a landmark in the city of Kolkata and should never be missed from the list of important places to visit in Kolkata.

While inaugurating the facility, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru stated, “We tend to exaggerate the importance of our petty selves on this speck of dust. So this planetarium must serve a useful purpose, apart from gathering knowledge and imparting it. It gives us an idea of what we are and makes us think of a true perspective.”

Presently, two presentations are available: Cosmic collisions (Demonstrate creation of Earth, moon, etc.) and Our Universe.

Quick Facts about M P Birla Planetarium

Below are a few interesting facts about the M. P. Birla Planetarium

• During the inauguration in 1962, the M P Birla Planetarium was the first public planetarium in India.
• The planetarium now boasts of its latest Carl Zeiss Hybrid Projection System with the advanced optomechanical projector StarMaster capable of showing the natural night sky. Nine ultra-high resolution “Velvet” digital projectors create an immersive environment of the cosmos while watching.
• 23-meter diameter AstroTec dome (USA), made from high precision perforated Aluminum sheets.
• 570 push-back progressively reclining seats in a concentric arrangement.  It is also one of the largest in the world in terms of its seating capacity.
• The planetarium has designed and presented more than 300 astronomical projects dealing with various aspects of astronomy, astrophysics, celestial and space sciences, and even mythology concerning the stars and the planets.

Birla Planetarium Ticket Price

INR 80 per person per show. Although you have an option to choose between online and offline tickets.

Birla Planetarium Show timings

There are two shows available in three different languages, and their timings are below

• Cosmic Collisions – 12:30, 02:30, 04:30 (Hindi); 03:30, 05:30 (Bengali); 01:30 (English).
• Our Universe – 06:30 (English).

How to Reach Birla Planetarium

Being almost in the center of Kolkata, you can certainly avail metro, bus, or even cabs to reach Maidan. Apparently, from every corner of the city, transportation is available.

Parking Availability

There is no parking available on the Birla Planetarium premises. But you can park your motorcycle or car in the adjacent St Paul’s Cathedral Church for a nominal charge. Although the security personnel will take money from you for parking, but will never give you a bill.

Planetarium Gallery

Each presentation takes almost half an hour. Later, you can move through the gallery area before the final exit.

MP Birla Planetarium Gallery 1

MP Birla Planetarium Gallery 2

MP Birla Planetarium Gallery 3

MP Birla Planetarium Gallery 4

Facilities available at Planetarium

Anyone interested in Astronomy can certainly enroll in different courses. Also, a very clean washroom is available for use. You can have snacks, tea & coffee from roadside vendors.

Rules to Follow

• Age Limit: Open for all.
• As there are no seat numbers, consecutive seating cannot be ensured at times of rush.
• All visitors, including children above 3 years, are charged full (Rs. 80.00) per head.
• Visitors booking online tickets should compulsorily be present at the venue at least 15 minutes before the scheduled show. Visitors will not be allowed inside the Sky-Theater once the show begins.
• Eatables are not allowed inside the sky-theatre.
• You need to switch off the mobile phones inside the sky-theatre as it deteriorates the experience.
• There is a `no refund` policy for tickets once booked.
• You have to deposit heavy Luggage at the baggage counter at the visitors’ risk.
• Visitors are not allowed along with pets, weapons, ammunition, or dangerous materials.
• Rights to admission reserved.

Nearby Places to Visit

You can also visit the Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, St Paul’s Cathedral Church, Elliot Park, Mohorkunja, Princep Ghat, Jawaharlal Nehru Children’s Museum, Aurobindo Ashram, Smaranika Tram Museum, etc.

Important Link

• Official Site (For More Information)
• Online Ticket Booking (BookMyShow)

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Biswa Bangla Gate, also known as Kolkata Gate, is the latest crown of Kolkata. Few prefer to call it the Welcome Gate. There are two arcs of 55 meters in height that hold a viewing Gallery ring above 25 meters from the ground. The ring spans nearly 220 meters and provides an aerial or bird’s eye view of the entire locality. The current Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, inaugurated this Gate on 31st January 2019. HIDCO (Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation) started the construction on 6th March 2017, almost two years ago. According to design and construction, it has a capacity of 150+ visitors at a time, but is currently restricted to 50 visitors at a time. Surprisingly, this gate cost around INR 25 crores.

Quick Fact about Biswa Bangla Gate

There are two lifts of approximately 7-8 people capacity available to minimize the waiting time. You can start seeing the height gain by the glass wall of the lifts. Once you reach the floor, you will see a souvenir shop, selling key chains, wall clocks, paintings, etc. There are paintings after the culture, art, and great personalities of West Bengal on the walls throughout the gallery. Most of the observation gallery has a restaurant setup that starts functioning from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Whereas a small food joint, Cafe Ekante, remains open in the daytime. You can get puffs, shakes, ice cream, and beverages etc (card payment also accepted). You can sit anywhere you want and enjoy the busy city roads beneath. This rounded gallery gives a top view of the Rajarhat and Newtown area. Certainly, you can do photography and videography inside the gallery.

Biswa Bangla Gate Gallery

Biswa Bangla Gate Gallery inside View

Future metro Line view from Biswa Bangla Gate Gallery

Rabindra Tirtha Top View from Biswa Bangla Gate

Biswa Bangla Gate Wall Art

Biswa Bangla Gate Wall Art

Biswa Bangla Gate Wall Art

Biswa Bangla Gate Wall Art

Top View from Biswa Bangla Gate

Biswa Bangla Gate Gallery Souvenir Shop

Biswa Bangla Gate Gallery Souvenir Shop

Entry Fees

You have to purchase an entry ticket of INR 100 from bookmyshow.com (the only method as of now), which finally costs around INR 106. Once you get the booking of the desired timing, display the confirmation number at the ticket counter to get a printed ticket. You cannot reschedule the day or time slot after purchasing the ticket. To purchase the ticket online, visit BookMyShow.

P.S. Children below 3 years don’t need a ticket.

Biswa Bangla Gate Timings

The Gallery remains open from 12 PM to 6 PM every day except Monday, due to scheduled maintenance. There are 3 slots: 12 PM, 4 PM, and 5 PM, each slot of 45 minutes. No visitors will be allowed to stay beyond their scheduled periods.

Facilities available at the Kolkata Gate

Kolkata Gate also has some basic facilities like toilets, waiting lounge, filtered & cold drinking water, and baggage area (on the Ground floor). Before entering the lift, you have to deposit bags along with food, tobacco items, etc. Each of the arcs has a staircase for the emergency exit, which remains closed for its obvious reasons.

Biswa Bangla Gate Waiting Lounge

Biswa Bangla Gate Ticket Counter

Biswa Bangla Gate Parking

Parking is free for all visitors, just in front of the ticket counter.

Biswa Bangla Gate Cafe Ekante Restaurant

Although Cafe Ekante restaurant is the only option at this gate. I must admit they look quite promising. Prices look decent, but the view from this gallery is spectacular. To check out the complete menu, click here.

Quick Information about Cafe Ekante Restaurant

• There will be no separate ticket for the Restaurant. The guest will be accommodated on a first-come come first-served basis. However, the guest may make a reservation with a 20% extra cost through Apps and Online services. But the reservation of seats is limited to 30% of the total capacity.
• You may call 84201-05555 & 84201-22200 (12 PM to 6 PM except Monday) and also 8334065345 (9 AM to 6 PM) to pre-book your seat.
• One coupon will be given to each restaurant guest while going at the top, and the same should be handed over to the security personnel upon exit.
• Minimum billing per person of Rs. 500/-, including Taxes, is applicable for dinner.
• No toilet facility is available at the top, but visitors may use the toilet near the ticket counter at ground level.
• Free Wi-Fi and a Selfie zone are available within the viewing gallery/restaurant at the top.
• Any Corporate Body / Organization may book the viewing gallery from 7.00 AM to 11.30 AM at Rs. 20,000 for a maximum duration of one hour with a maximum of 50 heads. For any such type of booking, please contact the Manager.
• For violation of the rules or behavior considered undesirable, HIDCO reserves the right to cause any visitor to disembark and exit. No refund will be given, and the penalty will be payable as per the rules above.

Rules to follow at Kolkata Gate

A few more rules to follow during your visit 

• Littering or spitting is strictly prohibited.
• A fine amounting to INR 500 will be imposed for each incident of littering/spitting.
• Smoking or chewing of any type of Gutkha/Chewing Gum is strictly prohibited.
• The entire Biswa Bangla Gate is under CCTV surveillance.

How to reach Biswa Bangla Gate

These days, transportation to Narkelbagan Rajarhat is not a big challenge. Almost from every place in Kolkata, bus service is available, like S30, AC12, AC23A, S12E, S9C, S53, S14C, etc. I hope the Metro service will start soon.

Nearby Places to Visit in Rajarhat, Newtown

Lastly, you may visit a few nearby places like Eco Park, Eco Park Seven Wonders, Mother’s Wax Museum, Biswa Bangla Shilpi Haat, Rabindra Tirtha, Misti Hub, and Aquatica.

Important Link

• Official Site (For More Information)
• Biswa Bangla Gate Restaurant Menu
• Online Ticket Booking (BookMyShow)

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Eco Park is undoubtedly the best-decorated park in Kolkata. It houses a lot of activities like cruising, ice skating, cycling, kayaking, zorbing, etc. It also has a segregated area as a deer park, butterfly garden. Certainly, the replica of Seven Wonders of the World is the recent addition to this park. Although, I wish everybody could visit the original seven wonders of the world. But those who really can’t afford due to any problems may visit Eco-park to enjoy the miniature or replica version of those wonders. Listed below

• Taj Mahal, India
• Pyramid of Giza, Egypt
• Great Wall of China, China
• Christ the Redeemer Statue, Brazil
• The Roman Colosseum, Rome
• Petra, Jordan
• Easter Island Statue, Chile

Replica of seven wonders

Although there are a lot of debates on the list of Seven Wonders the above are the most popular ones. Most of all, these have been replicated in Eco Park Kolkata. Let’s discuss briefly these Wonders with replica images.

Taj Mahal, India

Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble (famous as Makrana marble) mausoleum on the bank of Yamuna river, in Agra city. Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan built it to house the tomb of his favorite wife Mumtaz. The Taj Mahal complex is believed to be completed in 1653 at an estimated cost of INR 32 million at that time. UNESCO designated The Taj Mahal World Heritage Site in 1983 for being “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage”. Many regarded the Taj Mahal as the best example of Mughal architecture and a symbol of India’s rich history. Surprisingly, The Taj Mahal attracts 7–8 million visitors every year. In 2007, it was declared a winner of the New7Wonders of the World (2000–2007) initiative. Learn More here.

Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt

The Great Pyramid of Giza (also known as the Pyramid of Khufu or the Pyramid of Cheops) is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza pyramid complex bordering present-day El Giza, Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact. Some Egyptologists believe that the pyramid was built as a tomb over a 10 to 20 year period concluding around 2560 BC. Initially, at 146.5 meters (481 feet), the Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for more than 3,800 years. 

Originally, the Great Pyramid was covered by limestone casing stones that formed a smooth outer surface; what is seen today is the underlying core structure. Some of the casing stones that once covered the structure can still be seen around the base. There have been varying scientific and alternative theories about the Great Pyramid’s construction techniques. Most accepted construction hypotheses are based on the idea that it was built by moving huge stones from a quarry and dragging and lifting them into place. Learn more here.

Great Wall of China, China

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials. Generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China to protect the Chinese states and empires against the raids and invasions of the various nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe with an eye to expansion. Several walls were being built from as early as the 7th century BC. These were later joined together and made bigger by Qin Shi Huang (220–206 BC), the first Emperor of China. The most well-known of the walls were built during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644).

Apart from defense, other purposes of the Great Wall have included border controls, allowing the imposition of duties on goods transported along the Silk Road, regulation or encouragement of trade and the control of immigration and emigration. Furthermore, the defensive characteristics of the Great Wall were enhanced by the construction of watchtowers, troop barracks, garrison stations, signaling capabilities through the means of smoke or fire. In fact, the path of the Great Wall also served as a transportation corridor.

A comprehensive archaeological survey, using advanced technologies, has concluded that the walls built by the Ming dynasty measure 8,850 km (5,500 mi). This is made up of 6,259 km (3,889 mi) sections of actual wall, 359 km (223 mi) of trenches and 2,232 km (1,387 mi) of natural defensive barriers such as hills and rivers. Another archaeological survey found that the entire wall with all of its branches measures out to be 21,196 km (13,171 mi). Today, the Great Wall is generally recognized as one of the most impressive architectural feats in history. It was designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Learn more here.

Eco-Park from the top of The Great Wall of China (Replica) looks amazing. 

Christ the Redeemer Statue, Brazil

Christ the Redeemer is an Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, created by French sculptor Paul Landowski and built by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa, in collaboration with the French engineer Albert Caquot. Romanian sculptor Gheorghe Leonida fashioned the face. Constructed between 1922 and 1931, the statue is 30 meters (98 ft) high, excluding its 8-meter (26 ft) pedestal. The arms stretch 28 meters (92 ft) wide.

The statue weighs 635 metric tons (625 long, 700 short tons), and is located at the peak of the 700-meter (2,300 ft) Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro. A symbol of Christianity across the world, the statue has also become a cultural icon of both Rio de Janeiro and Brazil and is listed as one of the New7Wonders of the World. It is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone. Learn more here.

The Roman Colosseum, Rome

The Colosseum or Coliseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is an oval amphitheater in the center of the city of Rome, Italy. Built of travertine, tuff, and brick-faced concrete, it is the largest amphitheater ever built. The Colosseum could hold, it is estimated, between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators, having an average audience of some 65,000. Although partially ruined because of damage caused by earthquakes and stone-robbers. The Colosseum is still an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome and is listed as one of the New7Wonders of the World. Learn more here.

Petra, Jordan

The Petra, originally known to its inhabitants as Raqmu, is a historical and archaeological city in southern Jordan. This Petra city lies on the slope of Jabal Al-Madbah in a basin among the mountains. Which form the eastern flank of the Arabah valley that runs from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. Petra is believed to be settled as early as 9,000 BC. It was possibly established in the 4th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataean Kingdom.

The city is accessible through a 1.2-kilometre-long (0.75 mi) gorge called the Siq. Which leads directly to the Khazneh. Petra is called the Rose City due to the color of the stone out of which it is carved. Also, famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. UNESCO has described it as “one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage”. In 2007, Al-Khazneh was voted in as one of the New7Wonders of the World. Learn more here.

Easter Island Statue, Chile

The Easter Island (Rapa Nui: Rapa Nui, Spanish: Isla de Pascua) is a Chilean island in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, at the southeasternmost point of the Polynesian Triangle in Oceania. This Island is most famous for its nearly 1,000 extant monumental statues, called moai, created by the early Rapa Nui people. In 1995, UNESCO named Easter Island a World Heritage Site, with much of the island protected within Rapa Nui National Park.

Some believe that Easter Island’s Polynesian inhabitants arrived on Easter Island sometime near 1200 AD. They created a thriving and industrious culture, as evidenced by the island’s numerous enormous stone moai and other artifacts. However, land clearing for cultivation and the introduction of the Polynesian rat led to gradual deforestation. Learn more here.

Entry Fees & Timings

Seven Wonders entry fee per head is INR 30/- in addition to INR 30/- to enter Eco-park. This place timings, Tuesday to Saturday – 02:30 PM to 08:30 PM, Sunday – 12 PM to 08:30 PM, Monday – Closed. However, the ticket counter will close at 07:30 PM.

P.S. You cannot re-enter the Seven Wonder’s arena. Try to visit after 4 PM so that you can enjoy Seven Wonder’s replica with colorful lighting too. Please do not litter inside the Eco Park. Otherwise, you may get penalized.

Facilities

Certainly, this place has a cafe inside, named Cafe Ekante. Certainly, my experience was bad here, the chicken sandwich was not fresh and overpriced. Although there are few snack & tea stalls outside of the perimeter. They can give food to you through the railings. If you need a washroom and drinking water, you can use Eco-park facilities at a short distance.

Parking

Two-wheeler parking is available in Gate 1, 3 & 5 for INR 20/-. Four-wheelers parking available at Gate 1, 4 for INR 50/-.

How to Reach

These days, transportation to Eco-Park is not a big challenge, almost every place in Kolkata has some mode of transit available to reach there.

Nearby Places to Visit

Biswa Bangla Shilpi haat, Mother’s Wax Museum, Biswa Bangla Gate are few nearby places worth visiting.

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Important Link

• Official Site (For More Information)

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The post Eco Park 7 Wonders Replica | Kolkata City Guide appeared first on Rider Escaped

Biswa Bangla Shilpi Haat is an umbrella organization showcasing and promoting all the handloom & handicraft products of West Bengal. You can purchase handicraft items, sarees directly from the manufacturer as well as from the artists. In other words, if you love to see old instruments, antique art collections, you must visit this place.

Biswa Bangla Shilpi Haat Inspirational Tree

Biswa Bangla Shilpi Haat Hand Rickshaw

Biswa Bangla Shilpi Haat Horse Cart

Biswa Bangla Shilpi Haat Attractions

Once you enter the haat, you will see a few small blocks of buildings. There are shops for fresh honey (forest products of West Bengal), sarees, Khadi items, handicraft jewelry, etc. You can also see a functional handloom weaving machine being used to make sarees. Some shopkeepers are also making ornaments on the spot and selling.

Biswa Bangla Shilpi Haat Handloom Weaving Machine

Biswa Bangla Shilpi Haat Handloom Weaving Machine

Handcraft Wall

Handcraft Wall

One of the main attractions of this place is a museum where antique items are showcased. Below are a few highlights available on display

• 150 Years old Baluchori Saree
• Hand-painted silk Sarees
• Coconut Crafts
• Embroidery Work
• Kantha Stich
• Jewelry of the Ancestor era
• Brass work utensils
• Old Musical Instruments
• Jute work
• Ceramic Work
• Terracotta Work
• Bamboo work
• Fish Skin (Fiber)
• Artistic sarees
• 157-year-old clay pot (Jwala)
• Conch (Sankh)

There are stalls to display Dhokra craft, Sitalpati/মাদুর (Floor mats), and Rattan (বেত )  crafts. These items can be purchased in bulk quantity only (more than 10). In case you want to buy, they will arrange a call with the Artists directly, upon confirming you have to transfer the amount to the artists, and finally, after a couple of days, it will be delivered to you. As per the representative over there, the entire money will be given to the artists. Certainly, this initiative should help the livelihoods of craftsmen and weavers.

Available Facilities

You can find drinking water and toilets inside the premises. You will even get a small food court area for quick bites, like snacks and sweets. If you are going with your motorcycle, there is parking on the left side before the entrance gate, and for four-wheelers, you just need to park in gate no 4, Eco-park. This place remains open from 1 PM to 8 PM and is free to all.

Biswa Bangla Shilpi Haat 2-wheeler Parking

Biswa Bangla Shilpi Haat Food Court

How to reach Biswa Bangla Shilpi Haat

This haat is located just before Gate no 5, Eco Park. Certainly, transportation to Eco Park is not a big challenge these days; almost every place in Kolkata has a bus service available towards Newtown. Otherwise, you may also consider Ola, Uber, or a taxi service.

Nearby Places to Visit

Eco Park, Eco Park Seven Wonders, Mother’s Wax Museum, and Biswa Bangla Gate are a few nearby places worth visiting.

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Don’t forget to check out our Kolkata City Tour Guide.

Certainly, if you loved the content, share this with your buddies. Also, if I missed out on anything, do let me know in the comments section. I will include it in the post.

Thanks! Have a great day ahead.

The post Biswa Bangla Shilpi Haat | Kolkata City Guide appeared first on Rider Escaped

Howrah Bridge is probably the second most popular attraction in Kolkata, after Victoria Memorial, if not first. The bridge connects two districts, namely Kolkata and Howrah, with a suspended span over the Hooghly River; hence, it is also called “The Gateway of Kolkata”. If you ever come to Kolkata by train (Howrah Station), you have probably already witnessed the famous cantilever road bridge. Otherwise, on your next visit, you must visit this Bridge. Today, we are going to share some interesting facts about the bridge, which also answers why the Howrah Bridge is so famous.

History

This bridge was commissioned in 1943, replacing the old Pontoon bridge. In those days, it was named the New Howrah Bridge. But on 14 June 1965, the New Howrah Bridge was renamed as Rabindra Setu, after the famous poet Rabindranath Tagore, who had written our National Anthem song. The older Pontoon bridge was built in 1874 and opened for the public on 17 October the same year. That bridge could be unfastened so that ferry and ocean steamers could cross it. Over time, due to the rapid increase in the traffic load, the Port commissioners decided to commission a new, improved bridge in the year 1905.

In 1906, the Port Commission appointed a committee headed by R.S. Highet, chief engineer of the East Indian Railway, and W.B. MacCabe, chief engineer of the Calcutta Corporation. They considered six options

1. Large ferry steamers capable of carrying a vehicular load (set up cost ₹900,000, annual maintenance cost ₹437,000).
2. A transporter’s bridge (set up cost ₹2 million).
3. A tunnel (set up cost ₹338.2 million, annual maintenance cost ₹1779,000)
4. A bridge on piers (set up cost ₹22.5 million)
5. A floating bridge (set up cost ₹2140,000, annual maintenance cost ₹200,000)
6. An arched bridge

Finally, they decided to build a floating bridge.

Why is Howrah Bridge famous

There are many movies featuring the famous Howrah Bridge

• Hindi Movie – Do Bigha Zamin, Howrah Bridge, Howrah Bridge, Amar Prem, Parineeta, Love Aaj Kal, Kahaani, Barfi!, Piku, etc.
• Bengali Movie – Bari Theke Paliye, Parash Pathar, Neel Akasher Neechey, Calcutta 71, Ekti Tarar Khonje, etc. Learn more here.

This bridge is not only famous for its appearance in movies but also for its construction, ease of connecting two districts. Even the sunset looks quite beautiful from the nearest ferry ghats.

Sunset at Ahiritola Ghat

Ferry service at Ahiritola Ghat

Interesting Facts

• The bridge does not have nuts and bolts, but was formed by riveting the whole structure.
• This bridge consumed 26,500 tons of steel, out of which 23,000 tons of high-tensile alloy steel, known as Tiscrom. Tata Steel supplied this alloy steel.
• Out of 26,000 tons of steel, England supplied only 3000 tons.
• Mr. Walton of M/s Rendel, Palmer & Triton designed the Howrah Bridge.
• The order for construction and erection was placed with M/s.Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company in 1939.
• The fabrication and erection work was awarded to a local engineering firm of Howrah: the Braithwaite, Burn & Jessop Construction Co.
• The entire project cost ₹25 million.
• The government did not have a formal opening of the bridge due to fears of attacks by Japanese planes fighting the Allied Powers.
• The first vehicle to use the bridge was a solitary tram.
• Construction started in 1936 and was completed in 1942. It was made open to the public on 3rd February 1943 (77 years ago as of 2020).
• This bridge was the third-longest Cantilever in the world during that era. But currently surpassed by three more bridges, which made it the sixth-longest bridge in its category in 2013.
• Howrah Bridge is a suspension-type cantilever bridge.
• It has a suspended span of 564 feet (172 m).
• On average, it withstands more than 4 lakh pedestrians and 3 Lakh vehicles daily.
• Kolkata Port Trust is responsible for maintaining the Howrah Bridge.
• This bridge has been featured in many famous films.
• The eastern end of the Bridge has few wheels because during the heavy summer, metal tends to get a minor expansion and for a fixed structure, it might crack, hence it is built in such a way that if it expands, it can have space to move.

Learn more about the bridge on Wikipedia.

Things to do

During the twilight, either you should walk the bridge or you should take a ferry ride to Ahiritola. This place becomes so beautiful, you can not imagine it. We recommend a leisurely walk to observe this bridge.

Howrah Bridge Walk

Howrah Bridge

Howrah Bridge at Evening

Howrah Bridge during sunset

Best time to visit

The bridge remains open 24 hours, throughout the year. So, if you have to travel towards Kolkata from Howrah or Vice-Versa you can do so anytime. But in case you want to visit this place as an attraction comes in the afternoon around 5 PM, so that you can witness this bridge both in the Day and at night. Very minimalist lighting on this bridge makes it heavenly beautiful during the dark.

Places to visit near Howrah Bridge

You may like to visit Ramkrishna Ghat for “Evening Arati”, Millennium Park, Princep Ghat, Eden Garden, Victoria Memorial, Smaranika Tram Museum, The RBI Museum, Botanical Garden, Belur Math, Dakhineswar Temple, etc.

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Victoria Memorial is one of the most popular historical places in Kolkata. It is also known for its large marble building. It also portrays most of the British era between 1757 to 1947. Whether you are from Kolkata or planning to visit Kolkata, definitely visit the Victoria Memorial after reading this article. Today, we will share some facts about this memorial, hardly any of you may know. Do comment if you have had this information already, and do not forget to mention your experience there.

Victoria Memorial Side View

Victoria Memorial Northern View

Victoria Memorial Corner View

Victoria Memorial Bronze art

Many of us had a piece of incorrect information that Queen Victoria used to live here.

Let us sneak a peek into history, Alexandrina Victoria was the queen of the British Empire from 1837 till her death in 1901, almost 63 years. In 1906, H.R.H. George (Prince) came to India and planned to build a museum in memory of his late grandmother. Alexandrina Victoria. According to the plan, a handmade wooden model was built, and the foundation stone was laid on 4th January 1906. But the construction work started in 1911 (got delayed because of riots during the Bengal Partition) and was finally completed in 1921; the main architect was William Emerson (President of the British Institute of Architects). Since then, this museum has been open to all. 

Different Areas of the Victoria Memorial Museum

There are four main halls inside the memorial, namely the Entrance Hall, Queen’s Hall or Victoria Hall, Prince Hall, and Darbar Hall. 

Good to know stuff, Makrana marble (imported from Makrana, Rajasthan) was used throughout the memorial. The Taj Mahal has similar marble of better quality.

Entrance Hall

Once you cross the baggage scanning area, you will enter this hall. Currently, many exhibitions take place in this hall throughout the year. On top, you will find a dome of European design and above the entrance gate Islamic (Mughal) design Jafri.

Victoria Memorial Entrance Hall

Victoria Memoria Mughlai Art work

Queen Hall

This hall has a Piano; presented by King Edward VII (Queen Victoria used to play during her childhood), wooden model of Victoria Memorial, Sword, and other weapons from that era, a replica ship that resembles Alumgeer (first merchant ship of East India Company to dock in India), the dress of Tantia Tope and a model of Queen Victoria.

Queen Empress Victoria

Achkan of Tantia Tope

12 pictures are hanging on the upper wall of the hall, which describe the entire lifespan of Queen Victoria. Step up through the staircase, enjoy a few statues, and mainly a top view of the entire hall.

Top View of Queens Hall

Queens Hall Dome

Queens hall 12 Paintaings

Victoria Memorial Original Foundation stone

Original wooden Model of Victoria Memorial

Victoria Memorial Piano

Alumgeer Ship Souvenir

This hall mostly displays the weaponry and technical equipment used in the British era. The original sword of Mirjafar & Aurangzeb and dummy of his lithography (in stone) contract with the British company (just before “Palashi war” in 1757), is on display.

Prince Hall

Good to know stuff, Mirjafar betrayed Nawab Siraj Ud Daulah and joined the British company with more than 35000 soldiers. This is one of the causes. Nawab was defeated.

Weaponry used & captured in World War 1 (where Indians participated against Germany & Turkey from the British army side), one brass ornamental cannon, and two original cannons used during the “Palashi war”, are showcased. You can also see the equipment used for navigation and measuring altitude. The past and present forms of Kolkata are also on display at a corner, and finally, a statue of Robert Clive (First-Major General of British-ruled India).

Prince Hall Robert Clive

Prince Hall Original Cannon fired in war of 1757

Victoria Memorial Prince Hall Alltitude measurement equipment

Darbar Hall

Once you step inside, there are a lot of pictures hanging from famous artists on the wall that describe the old era. All the paintings are colored with vegetable and fruit secretions except one, which is painted on skin. Old days pictures of Lucknow, Tajmahal, Jama Masjid, beauties of Madurai, Rameswaram, etc, are on the wall. Even the world’s largest “The Great Banyan tree” (Botanical Garden) is on display. One of these paintings is made in such a way (anamorphic) that it feels moving when you move. The same kind of art is also available in the Lucknow Picture Gallery. 

Victoria Memorial Painting 1

Victoria Memorial Painting 2

Victoria Memorial Painting 3

There is one more picture gallery available on the right side of Prince Hall, which also portrays the history of British-ruled India. A well-maintained garden and beautiful water bodies surrounded the Victoria Memorial. Altogether a proper beauty spot of Kolkata.

Victoria Memorial Beauty Work

Victoria Memorial Lake Side Beauty

Victoria Memorial Entry Fee & Timings

There is a nominal entry fee of Rs. 30 includes Garden and Gallery for Indian nationalities, for SAARC countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, and Maldives, a passport is mandatory) Rs. 100 and for other nationalities Rs. 500. Army personnel and his/her family based on an ID card and school student in uniform with prior approval from the authority, children below 3 years, and the differently-abled person with a valid ID card will get free entry.

Garden Timings

05:30 AM to 06:00 PM (every day), and the counter closes around 05:30 PM.

Museum Timing

10:00 AM to 06:00 PM (Tuesday to Friday) & 10:00 AM to 08:00 PM (Saturday and Sunday after 05:30 PM, only the north gate counter will be functional. The memorial remains closed on Monday due to maintenance work and all National Holidays.

Available Facilities

A free washroom is available near the Administration office for general use, and it is very clean. There are many drinking water machines available throughout the premises; a few of them have a refrigerator facility.

Free Wi-Fi service is also available from Airtel; anyone can opt for, by entering their mobile no and OTP. Each session for a number will be 30 mins, and a specific mobile number can have two sessions a day maximum.

Victoria Memorial Canteen

Some basic foods are available here at a very reasonable price, although they lack deliciousness, but cannot be complained about at the price point.

Victoria Memorial Guide Service

Free Guide: There is a free guide service available for the museum/gallery between 11 AM to 4 PM, once every hour. Each slot is of 45 minutes maximum, and the available languages will be English, Hindi, and Bengali. Do wait for the guided tour.

Parking Near Memorial

This is one of the most problematic issues in this place. Being in a restricted area, parking for visitors is not allowed here. The nearest parking point is on Gokhale Road, opposite Rabindra Sadan, location.

How to Reach Victoria Memorial

You can take the Metro or the Bus to reach Maidan, approximately a kilometer before the memorial, then walk. Otherwise, you can be directly reached by cab.

Best time to visit the Victoria Museum

The best time is winter due to mild sunshine and pleasant weather. But you can visit any time throughout the year, as per your feasibility.

Places to Visit Nearby

You can enjoy a horse cart ride for a few hundred rupees. Also, a light and sound show takes place every evening from 06:00 PM, on the opposite ground of Victoria Memorial. There are a few more interesting places nearby, like M P Birla Planetarium, Nehru Children’s Museum, Rabindra Sadan, Aurobindo Ashram, Princep Ghat, Smaranika Tram Museum, etc.

Important Link

• Official Site (For More Information)
• Online Ticket Booking (BookMyShow)

Follow Us

Although we are in the process of queueing up the next post shortly. Till then, subscribe to the Rider Escaped Newsletter and connect with us on Social platforms to get future updates quicker.

Don’t forget to check out our Kolkata City Tour Guide.

Certainly, if you loved the content, share this with your buddies. Also, if I missed out on anything, do let me know in the comments section. I will include it in the post.

Thanks! Have a great day ahead.

The post Victoria Memorial Museum | Kolkata City Guide appeared first on Rider Escaped