Victoria Memorial is a name shared by two famous monuments that were built in honour of Queen Victoria, the former ruler of the British Empire. One of them is located in Kolkata West Bengal, India, and the other one is in London, England. Both of them are impressive examples of architecture and art that reflect the history and culture of their respective countries.
The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata is a large marble building that was built between 1906 and 1921 by the Government of India. It is dedicated to the memory of Victoria, Empress of India from 1876 to 1901. It is the largest monument to a monarch anywhere in the world, and stands in 64 acres of gardens. It houses a museum that displays a rich collection of paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, photographs and other artefacts related to the history and culture of India and the British Raj. It also hosts a light and sound show every evening that narrates the story of Kolkata and its glorious past. If you are planning to visit Victoria Memorial, you need to know its opening and closing timings, entry fees and attractions.
opening and closing Timings
- For the museum: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm every day except Monday.
- For the garden area: 5:30 am to 6:15 pm every day throughout the year.
- For light and sound show: October to February – 6:15 pm to 7:00 pm (Bengali) and 7:15 pm to 8:00 pm (English); March to June – 6:45 pm to 7:30 pm (Bengali) and 7:45 pm to 8:30 pm (English).
Entry fees
- For Indians: Rs. 20 per person for visiting the museum and Rs. 10 per person for visiting the garden area.
- For foreigners: Rs. 200 per person for visiting the museum and Rs. 10 per person for visiting the garden area.
- For school children up to Class XII in uniform and Army personnel in uniform: Free entry for visiting both the museum and the garden area.
Attractions
There are many other attractions near Victoria Memorial that you can explore and enjoy. some of the best attractions near Victoria Memorial that you should not miss.
Maidan:
Maidan is a large open park that stretches from Raj Bhavan to the banks of the Hooghly River. It is also known as the lungs of Kolkata, as it provides a green space in the midst of the urban chaos. Maidan is a popular place for leisure activities such as walking, jogging, cycling, horse riding and playing cricket. It also has many historical monuments such as Shaheed Minar, Fort William and Eden Gardens.
Birla Planetarium:
Birla Planetarium is one of the largest planetariums in Asia and the second largest in the world. It was inaugurated in 1963 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. It has a dome-shaped structure that resembles the Sanchi Stupa. It has a capacity of 680 seats and offers shows on various topics related to astronomy and space science. It also has an observatory, a library and a museum.
St. Paul's Cathedral:
St. Paul's Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral that was built in 1847 by Bishop Daniel Wilson. It is the first Episcopal Church in Asia and one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in India. It has a cruciform plan with a central tower and a spire that rises to a height of 201 feet. It has stained glass windows, marble floors, wooden pews and an organ. It also has a memorial to Bishop Wilson and a painting of The Last Supper by Johann Zoffany.
Elliot Park:
Elliot Park is a public park that was opened in 2005 by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. It is located near Victoria Memorial and covers an area of 16 acres. It has a jogging track, a children's play area, a musical fountain, an amphitheater and a food court. It also has statues of Rabindranath Tagore, Mother Teresa and Subhash Chandra Bose. It is a popular place for relaxation and recreation among locals and tourists alike.
Netaji Bhawan:
Netaji Bhawan is the ancestral house of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, one of the most prominent leaders of India's freedom struggle. It was built in 1909 by his father Janakinath Bose and was converted into a museum in 1961 by his brother Sarat Chandra Bose. It displays various memorabilia related to Netaji's life and activities such as his personal belongings, photographs, letters, documents and books. It also has his car, which he used to escape from his house in 1941 to reach Germany via Afghanistan.
Victoria Memorial is a must-visit place for anyone who wants to witness the beauty and grandeur of Kolkata's heritage and culture. It is also a great place to explore the history, art and architecture of the colonial era. It also offers a variety of attractions near it that you can enjoy and appreciate.For more information visit citybit .
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