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Places of Interest in Kerala and
Kolkata, India
Kerala
One of the bustling cities Kozhikode is considered among
the hottest tourist destinations in Kerala; it takes you on an idyllic
trail of some of the best virgin forests, mind-boggling scenic beauty
slipped from the tight-fist of nature which is sure to be packed with fun.
The lush green countryside, serene beaches, historic sites, wild life
sanctuaries, rivers, high hills, a unique culture and a warm and friendly
ambience- almost all the natural ingredients are present to make Kozhikode
a perfect tourist destination.
Getting around
Mananchira Square: situated in the heart of the city, surrounds the
Manachira tank which used to be the private bath of Samuthiris, and houses
many important institutions like Commonwealth Trust Factory, Town Hall,
Lalitkala Academy Hall, Jama'atpalli Mosque and Muchhandipalli Mosque.
Ettumanoor Temple: Among the must visit tourists spots, the Temples
of Kerala attracts a large number of tourists due to its indigenous style
of architecture, relics showing its cultural heritage. Ettumanoor is a
Hindu pilgrimage, famous for the legendary 16th century Shiva Temple. The
Shiva temple is an example of Kerala's indigenous style of temple
architecture, incorporating clear-cut woodcarvings and murals, including
an exceptionally striking one of Shiva as Nataraja, where he crushed
underfoot the evil spirit represented by a demon.
Thali Temple: Thali temple is another temple worth visiting located
downtown Kozhikode and is an important temple of the former Zamorin
Kingdom of Kozhikode. The Thali temple is famous for the 'Revathi
Pattathanam', an annual competition of pedagogic skills.
Lokanarkavu Temple: The Lokanarkavu Bhagavathi is a temple
frequently mentioned in the Northern Ballads of Kerala. The main deity is
Goddess Durga, with two adjacent shrines dedicated to Vishnu and Siva.
Krishnan Menon Museum: One must visit the Krishna Menon Museum
which is tribute to the great Indian leader V.K. Krishna Menon, whose
personal belongings and souvenirs presented by leaders and friends are
exhibited here.
Malabar Mahotsavam: It is a cultural show showcasing the centuries
old rich cultural heritage of Kerala. The event held at Mananchira maidan
in the heart of Kozhikode town from 13th to 16th January which attracts
fair amount of tourists ever year.
Thikkoti Lighthouse: The Thikkoti lighthouse at Kozhikode/Calicut
and was built after a shipwreck which is a major tourists attraction.
Dolphin's Point: Just a few kilometers away from the main city is
the Dolphin's Point, where you can spot dolphins playing in the sea in the
early morning. The long tree-lined beach, about 2 km away, is popular with
the local people because of the Lions Club Park and the lighthouse.
Pazhassi Raja Museum: The Pazhassiraja Museum 5 km from Kozhikode
run by the State Archaeological Department is located at East Hill and
displays ancient murals, old coins and antique bronzes as well as models
of temples and megalithic monuments. Adjacent to the museum is the art
gallery which exhibits an excellent collection of paintings of Raja Ravi
Varma.
Planetarium: The Kozhikode planetarium located at the city's
jaffarkhan colony offers extensive insight into the mysteries of the
universe the planets and the galaxies.
Pookot Lake: A natural fresh water lake flanked by meadows and
trees from all sides and is ultimate haven for peace-loving travelers. It
is located half way from Kozhikode.
Velliyamkallu: This massive rock, much dreaded by navigators, was
once a vantage point for the marakkars to attack the invanding Portuguese.
An entire crew of a Portuguese ship was killed here. A great place with
its old glory and charm, worth exploring.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary: established in 1973, the Wayanad
Wildlife Sanctuary is adjacent to the protected area network of Nagarhole
and Bandipore of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamilnadu. A great place for
nature lovers.
Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary: Kalalundi bird sanctuary is located about
19 km from Kozhikode and is home to more than a hundred varieties of
native birds and over 60 species of migratory birds flock here in large
numbers.
Kozhikode Beach famous for its amazing sunset views. There is a
dilapidated lighthouse and two crumbling piers running into the sea, each
more than a hundred years old. Lions Park and the Marine Water Aquarium
are other places to visit on the beach.
Another beach is Beypore Beach, 10 Km from Kozhikode which is a
small coastal town famous for centuries as a shipbuilding center and still
is known today for its country crafts called `Uru' built by traditional
shipbuilders known as `khalasis'.
Kappad Beach it is a very special beach where Vasco da Gama landed
on the 27th of May 1498 thus discovering a sea route to India.
Thusharagiri Waterfall is a scenic spot 48 Km from the town among
the must visit tourists spots.
Kolkata
One of the bustling cities Kolkata is considered among the
hottest tourist destinations in India; Kolkata is the capital of West
Bengal which is one of the most culturally and ethnically divers states of
India. It takes you on an idyllic trail of some of the best virgin
forests, mind-boggling scenic beauty slipped from the tight-fist of nature
which is sure to be packed with fun. During the weekends ATI trainees will
have enough time to enjoy the wonder-filled journey through the rich
cultural treasures of the state. Kolkata is a city full of surprises, and
if you're the kind of traveler who's game for the thrill of discovering
new places, people and cultures, Calcutta is the perfect holiday
destination for you.
Getting around
Writers' Building: Writers Building is one of the finest examples
of classical European architecture anywhere in the world.
Sahid Minar: Literally meaning Martyrs' Monument, situated in the
northern part of the green belt of Calcutta called the Maidan. The base of
the monument is Egyptian, the column Syrian and the crown, a Turkish
cupola.
Raj Bhawan: It's a must-see if you're in the Esplanade East area.
During the early days of British rule, when Calcutta was the capital of
British India, Raj Bhavan was the official residence of the Viceroys.
General Post Office: Built in 1868, located in BBD Bag area that
controls the entire postal system of Kolkata.
Eden Gardens: One of the top worlds famous cricket stadiums that
can accommodate around 1 lakh spectators.
High Court: Built by Walter Granvile in 1872 is one of the oldest
courts in India and landmark in Kolkata.
Indian Museum: One of the oldest museums in Asia, the Indian Museum
was founded in 1814. You'll need an entire day, or more, to fully enjoy
the fossils, coins, stones, Gandhara art, meteors and much more that go to
make up this museum. Don't miss the 4,000-year-old mummy here.
The Victoria Memorial: Amongst the must visit places of Kolkata is
the Victoria Memorial. It is a huge white-marble structure and the most
enduring of remains of the British Raj in India. The structure, which is
now floodlit in the night, gives a fascinating site.
Birla Planetarium is one of the largest of its kind in the world,
and a good place to visit while in Kolkata. Regular shows in Hindi and
English are held here.
Howrah Bridge is another important place to be seen in Calcutta. It
is an excellent example of engineering techniques of the early 20th
century. The whole bridge is 450 m long without any pylon in the river.
The bridge is well known as the busiest bridge in the world catering to
around 100,000 vehicles and innumerable pedestrians.
Kali Mandir in Kalighat and Dakshineshwar: One the must visit
temples dedicated to Goddess Kali.
Belur Math: the headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission is another
tourist attraction of Calcutta. The place was founded in 1899 and houses a
structure that was designed to be a church, temple, and mosque all in one.
Jorasanko Thakurbari ( Tagore’s house ): The rambling Thakurbari
was built in the 18th century by Dwarkanath Tagore, the grandfather of
Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. This is also the place where
Rabindranath was born and passed away.
Other important sites that can be visited are Fort William, Maidan, BBD
Bagh, Botanical Garden, Marble Palace, Church of St John, Nakhoda Mosque,
Town Hall, St. Paul's Cathedral, Calcutta Race Course, Rabindra Sadan.
Weekend trips / Excursions
For some more excitement and adventure one can go for a short excursion
from Kolkata to the following destinations:
The most popular place to visit around Calcutta is Shanti Niketan
which is situated 136 km northwest of the city, this is the place where
Rabindranath Tagore lived and established a university.
Another good place to visit is Chandannagar which is around 35 Kms
from Kolkata.
Bishnupur, 100 km northwest of Calcutta, is yet another exciting
and hitherto unexplored excursion for Kolkata. Bishnupur houses unique
terracotta temples, each more beautifully embellished than the other.
Bishnupur is renowned for its crafts such as intricate Balucheri saris,
the rare ganijifa (circular Indian playing card), delicate carving on
shells and bell metal artifacts. This is the perfect destination for those
seeking for a trip full of adventure.
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