Kolkata/Esplanade

Esplanade Row East - Esplanade Row East Indian Museum - The Indian Museum Kolkata Sahid Minar2 - Sahid Minar Calcutta High Court - Kolkata High Court GPO, KOLKATA - The dome of General Post Office Image-Kolkata Bridge - The illuminated Howrah Bridge at night

Esplanade is the heart of Kolkata. It consists of the region just north of the Kolkata/Maidan|Maidan and includes Dalhousie Plaza with all its colonial British buildings. The neighborhood takes a visitor back to the Raj-era with nostalgic overtones. Many of the city's important buildings are located here. It is the central business neighborhood of the city.

Kolkata/Esplanade Halal Travel Guide

Calcutta was once nicknamed the City of Palaces. This comes from the numerous palatial mansions built all over the city. During the British colonial perioid from 1700–1912, when Calcutta was the former capital of British India, Calcutta witnessed a spate of frenzied construction activity of buildings largely influenced by the conscious intermingling of Gothic, Baroque, Roman, Oriental and Islamic schools of design. Unlike many north Indian cities, whose construction stresses minimalism and the layout of much of the architectural variety in Calcutta owes its origins to European styles and tastes imported by the British and, to a much lesser extent and the Portuguese and French. The buildings were designed, and inspired by the tastes of the English gentleman around and the aspiring Bengali Babu (literally a nouveau riche Bengali who aspired to cultivation of English etiquette, manners and custom as such trainings were favorable to monetary gains from the British). Today many of these structures are in various stages of decay. Some of the major buildings of this period are well maintained and several buildings have been declared as legacy structures. Conservation efforts are often affected by problems of litigation, tenant troubles, ownership disputes, old tenancy laws and a lack of funds.

Travel to Kolkata/Esplanade

Travel on a Bus in Kolkata/Esplanade

• Esplanade- in the centre of the city, has buses passing through from all areas of the city.
• The long-distance and inter-state bus stand at Babughat is still functioning (the High Court has ordered its shifting).
• Esplanade Bus Stand - The Esplanade bus stand has bus terminee for buses from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sikkim, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and other parts of the nation.

• Shyamoli Paribahan 10 Marquis St☎ +91 33 2252 0802 Opening Hours: 6AM and 7AM departures, 12 hour journey to Dhaka ₹650 for earlier and later departures respectively Buses to Bangladesh, some with a break journey at the Benapole-Petrapole border (it is called kata service). From the border buses are available for Dhaka, as well as various other destinations in Bangladesh. Shyamoli Paribahan handles the border transfer from one bus to another so well, that it seems a better option to many than the direct service. Direct buses between Kolkata and Dhaka are available from Salt Lake International Bus Terminus.

By EMU Local Train

• The Babu Ghat station and Eden Garden Station are the nearby train stations.

• BBD Bagh Circular Railway Station Strand Road 22.57681, 88.34665

By metro

• Chandni Chowk metro station address= 22.56790, 88.35623
• Central metro station address=Chittaranjan Avenue Road 22.57191, 88.35860 Calcutta Medical College, College Plaza
• Esplanade metro station 22.564444, 88.351667 - Esplanade metro station - Esplanade Metro

• Park Street metro station - Metro Mother Teresa Sarani - Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Park Street area 22.5546, 88.3502

Get Around

• Babu Ghat ~8, Strand Road 22.5663, 88.3398 free Babughat - Babu Ghat - Kolkata 2012-01-14 0544 - Ferry to Ramkrishnapur Ghat

• Fairlie Ghat address=Strand Road, Bara Bazar 22.57542, 88.34534 ☎ Take a boat to Howrah Shipping Ghat

Area monuments

• BBD Bagh - Full name: Benoy-Badal-Dinesh Bagh. Earlier name: Dalhosie Plaza - 22.572, 88.349 Lal Dighi and the big tank in the centre of the square, was there before the arrival of the British. The place was then called Dihi Kolkata. The British decided to settle there, because it was less crowded than other areas in the neighbourhood. They built the old Fort William here (at the place where the General Post Office now stannds.). After their victory in the Battle of Plassey in 1757 and they built the new fort in Gobindapur, Dalhousie Plaza remained at the heart of what was then the 'White Town' of Kolkata. No Indian, rich or poor, dared to live in the area. They came for work during day time and went back to 'Black Town' (Sutanuti) before sunset. With Writers Building occupying the north side and numerous commercial offices all around it became the administrative and business centre of Kolkata. Even now it stands out as a 'period piece'. After independence of India and the square was named after three youngsters who dared to challenge British rule and died there in 1930.

• General Post Office Netaji Subhas Road, B B D Bagh 22.5729, 88.3474 Located at the centre of the western side of BBD Bagh The GPO is notable for its imposing high domed roof (rising over 220 feet) and tall Ionic-Corinthian pillars. It was built in 1868, at the site of the old Fort Wlliam, and has remained an important landmark of the city ever since.

• Howrah Bridge - Formal name:Rabindra Setu - 22.58527, 88.34694 - Howrah Bridge - HOWRAH BRIDGE from howrah station 39641

• Kolkata High Court - Esplanade Row West 22.5684, 88.3433 Near to Babughat☎ +91 33 2254-8000 Fax +91 33 2248-7835 It is the oldest High Court in India. It was established as the High Court of Judicature at Fort William in 1862. It has jurisdiction over the state of West Bengal and the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The High Court building is an exact replica of the Cloth Hall, Ypres, in Belgium.

• The Raj Bhavan - Earlier name:Government House - 22.566, 88.347 | The Governor's Residence. Built in 1803, modelled on Lord Curzon’s home, Keddleston Hall, Derbyshire, England, this is now the official residence of the Governor of Bengal. There are many rare works of art and other interesting items. Entry is restricted.

• Reserve Bank of India - Regional office of India's central bank | 15 Netaji Subhas Road, 8 Council Road, BBD Bagh, 22.57059, 88.34753 Located at the north-west corner of BBD Bagh, Near GPO,
• Writer's Building Lions Range 22.57366, 88.34978 Northern side of BBD Bagh - Writers' Building - Writers' Building - Office of the Chief Minister of West Bengal. The building is set for a three-year major repair from the end of 2013.

What to See

22.569|88.355

Sudder Street is at the centre of Kolkata's backpacker area, and many of the hotels geared towards travelers are located on and around this street.

Parkstreet - Park Street (aka Mother Teresa Sarani)

• Broadway Hotel - 27A Ganesh Chandra Ave, Chandni Chowk 22.5663838, 88.3577578 Chandni Chowk metro station 200 m ☎ +91 33 22363930₹775 double with private bathroom 24 hours from when you check in | phoneextra=+91 33 2236 3931 Despite lacking AC the very large rooms with high ceilings make for a great space and the price is definitely right. Don't miss the authentic ambiance of the restaurant of this 1937 built hotel. Supposedly due to the hotel's popularity rooms are often difficult to get unless you book ahead, however try hanging around and see if one magically opens up while you're there (especially if you're first offered a more expensive room). Upper triple rooms have balconies.

• Hotel Galaxy 3, Stuart Lane - GPS: off Sudder Street ☎ +33 2252 4565 Clean, simple, and convenient location.

• Hotel Maria 5/1 Sudder Street 22.5578, 88.3541 Park Street metro station ☎ +91 33 2252 0860 dorm ₹80, Very basic, creatively graffiti-ed rooms with and without attached bathroom from ₹300 as of February 2015. Grumpy service, affordable laundry, dank bathroom/toilet and no wifi. Very central location, takes no bookings, so arrive early (8:30am onwards)

• Hotel Modern Lodge - 1 Stuart Ln 22.55742, 88.35425off Sudder Street, next to Pargon Hotel ☎ +91 33 2252 4960 ₹100-₹250 Not very modern, but affordable and fairly clean. ₹150 for single with shared cold-water bathroom.

• Paragon Hotel - 2 Stuart Ln 22.55763, 88.35422off Sudder St, Park Street metro station ☎ +91 33 2252 2445 - Recently under new management which refuses to pay the union wages that were previously paid. Rather loud dormitory next to rather loud reception area for ₹120. You get plenty of action nearby

• Hotel Royal Palace - also called Free School Street ☎ +91 33 2252 5280, +91 33 2252 4178 Opening Hours: ₹350-₹750 - Clean and large A/C & non-A/C rooms with private bath, color TV, STD/ISD.

• YMCA - 25 Jawaharlal Neru Road 22.5559, 88.3505near corner with Kyd St, Park Street metro station ☎ +91 33 2249-2192 Non A/C single ₹600, with A/C ₹850 An extremely drab and dark hotel that appears not to have received a lick of paint since its founding in the mid 19th century. However, in someways, that is the hotel's distinctive charm, and so it may appeal to strict traditionalists. There is a simple restaurant on the second floor. The food is nothing special, but the balcony offers a great view of the buzzing city below.

• Astoria Hotel - Sudder Street 22.5584, 88.3525 Between Park Street metro station and Esplanade metro station ☎ +91 33 2252 9679 ₹2450-₹4150 +10% tax (2023) Clean, large, albeit drab, rooms with private bathrooms.

• DK international Hotel - 11/1A Marquis Street 22.55648, 88.35594 Near to Colin street corner ☎ +91 33 2252 2540 Dbl from ₹1,800+tax +91 33 2252 2666 All rooms A/C and breakfast included. Close to theBangladesh bus stations. There are better deals out there but new as this place.

• Esplanade Chambers - 2 Chandney Chowk Street 40 m off GC Ave ☎ +91 33 2212 7101 Sgl from ₹1400, dbl deluxe ₹2200, breakfast incl +91 99 0313 2621 Very clean and reasonably quiet rooms, albeit not massive.

• Hotel Jaapon - Japoon Guest House - 30F Mirza Galib Street 22.5574, 88.3546also called Free School Street (at the end of Sudder St) ☎ +91 33 2252 0657, +91 33 2252 0658 Price Singles ₹650, AC doubles ₹1100 Reasonably clean AC and non-AC rooms available with a very small private bathroom and cable TV. Beds are surprisingly comfortable given the thin and well worn mattresses,but some rooms are chokingly musty - check before checking in. Location is central and just metres from Sudder St.

• Sunflower Guest House 7 Royd Street 22.55253, 88.35607 200 m away intersection Park Street and Free school Street ☎ +91 33 2229 9401Opening Hours: ₹1,350 std dbl | phoneextra=+91 33 2229 8388 Clean and great location. Those who tote lots of luggage be warned there are stairs to climb to top floor reception.

• Bawa Watson Spa'o'tel - 5A Sudder Street 22.5578, 88.3538 ☎ +91 33 2252 1512 Price ₹4100 per dbl (all tax incl. 2023) An upscale new venue that's breaking the trend from the Sudder Street backpacker tide. 29 rooms

• Fairlawn Hotel - 13/A Sudder Street 22.5588, 88.3527 Between Park Street metro station and Esplanade metro station ☎ +91 33 2252 1510, +91 33 2252 8767 Price Single:₹3500, double/twin:₹4400 (Service Charge 5%) (2023) a relic of the British Raj and oozing with charm and character.

• Housez 43 - @.com 43 Mirza Ghalib Street, Park Street Area 22.55533, 88.35433 It is 20 kilometers from Netaji Subhas Airport, 7 kilometers from Howrah Railway Station, and 0.5 kilometers from the main shopping area of New Market. - Near Fire Station. ☎ +91 33 2227 6020 Rates start at ₹4,950.00 All rooms equipped with air-conditioning, TV, and private bath.

• Hotel Lindsay - 8A/8B Lindsay Street 22.5594257, 88.3527538 Near Globe Cinema Hall, nearby Trans Esplanade Metro Station ☎ +91 33 3021 8666 ₹4,600 std dbl The hotel is well lit and clean. The hotel was recently renovated and its facilities, including a room Minibar with alcohol removed, hot water, tea and Coffee, make it a good value four star property. New market is right on the door step, and provides plenty of local interaction right on the doorstep.

• Oberoi Grand Hotel - 15 Jawaharlal Nehru Road, (Chowringhee Road) 22.5612, 88.3515 Near to Esplanade metro station ☎ +91 33 2249 2323 US$375-1,375 One of the great hotels of the Raj and the Grand has been the last word in luxury for all of its 125+ years. A surprisingly quiet oasis in one of the busiest streets in the world.

• The Park Hotel - 17 Park Street - GPS: 22.5542, 88.3519 Park Street metro station ☎ +91 33 2249 3121

Fax +91 33 2249 4000 - From ₹6300 (2023) The unassuming exterior hides an elegant and homely interior with stylish Indian features.

• Peerless Inn - 12 Jawaharlal Nehru Road 22.5626, 88.3514 Near to Esplanade metro station ☎ +91 33 4400 3900 From ₹6,120 (2023)

Internet & Phones

• Gopal's Planet - 7 Tottie Lane 22.55774, 88.35346 Coming from Sudder Street, walk 50m (150ft) into Tottie Ln. On your left-hand side, same building as Raj's Guesthouse, ground floor ☎ +91 9674273616 Opening Hours: 8AM Monday - 11PM Friendly, quiet internet cafe off Sudder Street with relatively modern computers, AC and free chai (with Wi-Fi, Skype, printers, phone calls, etc.). They also rent bicycles and sell train tickets. Their coffee and Snacks are good as well.

• Hotline Services, 7 Sudder St, (near the Astoria Hotel, at the back of the parking lot between Roop Shringar clothing shop and Metro Beauty Parlour. Identified with a large illuminated sign in red) has a room jam packed with high speed computers, and charges ₹15/hr. They also sell CDs of various styles of Indian music for around ₹150/each, and have a selection of hand-woven material and cotton clothing from all over India. Hotline also provides a coffee and snack service.

There are other smaller internet cafes on Sudder Street such as Net Freaks, but they are often very busy.

Travel Next

• Baranagar

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