Kolkata - Bengal is Calling

Kolkata is a Major City in the Eastern Part of India. It is the State Capital of West Bengal. During British Rule in India, Kolkata was capital of the country until 1911, when it was later shifted to Delhi. Kolkata was earlier known as Calcutta, when the name got changed in 2001 due to political reasons. The city is associated with many of the figures and movements of the Bengali Cultural Revolution. It was Hotbed of the Indian Independence Movement. 

Kolkata is home to institutions of national importance, like Academy of Fine Arts, Asiatic Society, Geological Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India and Zoological Survey of India. Kolkata's port is India's oldest operating port. Four Nobel laureates are associated with this city. Kolkata is popularly known as the "City of Joy". 

There are many places worth sightseeing in Kolkata. One could start with Victoria Memorial, a large marble monument in central part of Kolkata. It was built between 1906 and 1921 by the British. It was built in honor of Queen Victoria, who was Empress of India from 1876 to 1901. It covers an area of 26 Hectares (64 Acres) of gardens. It is now a museum under administration by the Indian Government. Victoria Memorial is built of white Makrana marble. It has 25 galleries, containing paintings of various British officers and members of their royal family as well as prominent Indian freedom fighters. 

Victorial Memorial, Kolkata 

Howrah Bridge is a notable architectural wonder spanning across the Hooghly river in the city. The Bridge connects Kolkata to Howrah. It was completed and opened in 1943. It is a suspension type bridge made entirely of Steel. Total length of the Bridge is 705 Metres and its width is nearly 26 Metres. The Bridge is 82 Metres high from the river flowing below. The road built through the bridge has total 6 Lanes. Nearly 1 Lakh vehicles and about 1.5 Lakh pedestrians commute throught this bridge on a daily basis.  

Howrah Bridge, Kolkata 

Science City is a science park in Kolkata. It was established in 1997. It is a vast premise that offers visitors to understand various topics related to science in a simple language without much of technical jargon. It has blocks related to Outer Space like Earth Exploration Hall and Space Odyssey. Besides that, there are other areas worth visiting like Maritime Centre and Science Exploration Hall. 

Science City, Kolkata 

Kolkata has several Hindu temples that are popular across India. One of them is Dakshineswar Kali Temple, dedicated to Maa Kali, a Hindu goddess. It was built in 1855. Within the temple premises, there are mini-temples of Shiva, Radha-Krishna and Kirtana. 

Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Kolkata 

Belur Math is located in Belur, on the opposite side of Hooghly River. It was built in 1897. It is headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda, a popular Hindu Monk and philosopher who lived in the 19th century. Swami Vivekananda established Belur Math by placing holy relics of Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (his mentor) at Belur Math premises on 9th December 1898. There are four temples built within the complex, dedicated to Ramakrishna, Vivekanand, Sarada Devi (spiritual consort of Ramakrishna) and Brahmanand (a direct disciple of Ramakrishna). 

Belur Math, Kolkata 

Kolkata is very famous for its Annual Hindu festival - Durga Puja. It is also known as Durgotsava or Sharadotsava. The festival is celebrated to honour the goddess Durga and her victory over Mahishasura, a vile demon in Hindu mythology. It is celebrated in the month of Ashwin as per Hindu calendar. It lasts for 10 days and occurs between September to October of gregorian calendar. The entire city is decorated with Pandals hosting the idol of Durga. There are long lines of devotees waiting to take a glance of the goddess for each Pandal. One must visit Kolkata during this time to experience the festival and culture of Bengal.  

A Pandal of Durga Puja, Kolkata 

As Kolkata is a metropolitan city, it is well-connected by Road, Rail and Air. Kolkata is connected to other major cities of India like Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai via several National Highways. Kolkata is serviced by Five Railway Stations - Kolkata, Sealdah, Howrah, Shalimar and Santragachi that connect the city to other parts of India. Kolkata's sole airport -Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is 15 KMs (45 to 50 Minutes drive) from the heart of the city. The Airport has excellent connectivity that connects Kolkata to major cities in India and overseas. 

Pune - Heartbeat of Maharashtra

Pune is a city in the western part of Maharashtra, a state of India. Pune is 145 KM (3 Hours drive) from Mumbai, the commercial hub of India. 

Pune is the largest city in Maharashtra by area, spanning 516 Sq. Km. Pune is one of the largest IT Hubs in India. Many Top IT Majors like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, Cognizant etc. have built large campuses in and around Pune. It is also one of the most important Automobile and Manufacturing Hubs of India. Pune is also called as "Oxford of the East", as there are many Colleges and Universities situated in and around the city. 

Infosys Campus, Hinjawadi, Pune 

Pune has many sightseeing attractions to look out for. There are many Hindu Temples one can visit to pay homage. The most popular temple is Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir. It is dedicated to Hindu Deity Ganesha (Ganapati). It was built in late 19th century. The construction of the Temple is so simple that all the proceedings in the Temple along with Ganesh Idol can be seen even from outside. The Ganesh Idol is 2.2 Metres Tall and 1 Metre Wide. It is adorned with nearly 40 KGs of Gold. The Temple is situated in the centre of the City, with local shops and market adjacent to it. 

Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir, Pune 

Chaturshringi Devi Temple is located on a hill at Gokhalenagar, near Senapati Bapat Road in Pune. It is said to have been built during the reign of Shivaji Maharaj - founder of the Maratha Empire. The Temple is 90 Feet (27 Metres) High and 125 Feet (38 Metres) Wide. There are more than 200 Steps one has to climb in order to reach the shrine of Goddess Chattushringi. Within the temple premises there are also idols of Goddess Durga and Lord Ganesh.  

Chatushrungi Devi Temple, Pune 

The Most Important Landmark of Pune is Shaniwar Wada. It is a Fort built in 1732 by the Peshwas as Seat of the Maratha Empire. The Marathas ruled from there until 1818, when the British defeated them and annexed their kingdom in order to expand their rule in India. The fort itself was largely destroyed in 1828 by an unexplained fire, but the surviving structures are now maintained as a tourist site. 

(Left - Main Entrance Gate , Right - Garden Area), Shaniwar Wada, Pune 

Almost 1.5 KM (6 Minutes drive) from Shaniwar Wada is Mahatma Phule Museum. It is a small museum built in 1875. It exhibits historical objects such as Handicrafts, Old Weapons and Taxidermy. It is located at Ghole Road in Shivajinagar area of Pune. It is surely worth a visit if you are in Pune.  

Stuffed Leopard, Mahatma Phule Museum, Pune 

Pune is well-connected by Road, Rail and Air. Many Private and State Transport Buses connect Pune to Major Cities in Maharashtra and its neighboring states. Pune Junction is a Major Railway Hub as many inter-city Trains pass through the same. Pune's Airport is 10 KM (25 Minutes drive) from the heart of the city. Popular Airlines like Air India, Indigo and Spicejet connect Pune to other cities in India like Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai etc.