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Kolkata, India
Photo: Jonoikobangali, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Southern Suburbs (দক্ষিণ শহরতলি Dokhyiṇ Shohortoli) of Kolkata cover the rapidly mushrooming suburbs to the south and west of the city, including Behala, Dhakuria, Garden Reach, Garia, Golf Green, Jadavpur, Joka, Kidderpore, New Alipore, Pailan, Thakurpukur and Tollygunge. Except the elite localities like Jadavpur and Tollygunge, the suburban area was developed largely after India's independence in 1947, when millions of refugees from East Pakistan began settling here, leading to the unprecedented urban sprawl. The Partition-era slums are still there, but most of them now sport a brighter look.
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ভূকৈলাস রাজবাড়ি Bhūkailas Rājbāṛi
One of the few zamindar palaces in South Kolkata, built by Joynarayan Ghosal in 1781. He had an estate at Gobindapur, which later became Fort William (present-day Vijay Durg). He got a new estate of 108 bighas (1,44,720 m²) at Kidderpore during the construction of Fort William. After clearing the forest, he built a palace as well as temples dedicated to Shiva and family deity Patitapavani. Since then, the whole property has been endowed for worship of Patitapavani.
Once the residence of Indologist Sir William Jones, now the official residence of the General Manager (GM) of South Eastern Railway (SER).
ছোট রাসবাড়ি Choṭa Rāsbāṛi
A temple built in 1846-47 by Pyarilal Mondal and Monimohan Mondal, both members of the Bawali zamindar family of Budge Budge, once served as a major pilgrimage site. The temple complex also has a ghat along the Adi Ganga River with four columns, now in shambles. Even the river faces similar condition, being neglected for decades.
Alipore Mint
Though the mint dates back to 1757, the present building was built in the 1930s.
টলিপাড়া Ṭalipāṛā
From an early beginning in the silent era in 1919 to the talking era in the 1930s to the golden days of 1950s to 1970s has been a chequered history. It has seen such greats as Satyajit Ray, Bimal Roy, Ritwik Ghatak and Mrinal Sen. Tollygunge produces about 70 films annually.
A memorial dedicated to the 1.6 million Indian workers who were transported to labour in European colonies. The indenture system was a substitute for slavery, which was abolished in many European countries by the 19th century. This resulted to the increasing presence of Indians abroad, especially in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
A memorial commemorating the indentured migration of Indian workers from the ghat to the South American country of Suriname, then a Dutch colony. A total of 64 sailing ships carried 34,300 workers to the country from 1873 to 1917. The memorial contains an aluminium statue of a plainly-dressed couple carrying a potli, symbolising the first Indian man and woman to set foot on Suriname, resembling the Baba and Mai monument in Paramaribo.
গুরুসদয় জাদুঘর Gurusadaẏ Jādughar
The outcome of a lifetime collection of traditional folk arts in Bengal by Sir Gurusaday Dutta. On his death in 1941, the collection was handed over to the Bratachari Society founded by Sir Gurusaday Dutta to preserve and protect Bengal folk arts. It was opened as a museum to the public with the help of the union government in 1963. It contains, among other fine handicrafts, terracotta panels, kantha (folk quilt work) and patas (hand-painted scrolls), notably of the Kalighat School.
সাবর্ণ সংগ্রহশালা Sābarṇa Saṁgrahaśālā
The only family museum of Kolkata. It was established in 2005 by the Sabarna Roy Choudhury Paribar Parishad and is a popular tourist attraction, especially for those who want to know more about the history of Kolkata. It is also a research institute in the making. The museum possesses some of the rarest Kabulatipatras, documents and articles of historical importance besides several artifacts dating back to the 17th century. The museum is dedicated to students for creating an awareness of history, heritage, and culture of the land. Every year in the month of February, the museum organises the International History and Heritage Exhibition which is only of its kind in Eastern India.
Contains a heritage gallery.
The museum has a wide collection of antiques from the bronze age and various artefacts collected from excavations across West Bengal.
Masjid Ismail
A major centre of Shi'a Islam in West Bengal. It was founded in 1864 by Wajid Ali Shah. He was buried within the imambara after death.
টিপু সুলতান মসজিদ Ṭipu Sultān Masjid
Builtby the Waqf Committee at Tollygunge, with the same design and look as the Tipu Sultan Mosque in Esplanade.
One of the major Jagannath temples in West Bengal, and Ratha Yatra is the major crowd-puller of this temple.
Akshardham
One of the many Swaminarayan temples in India, built by Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) in 2013. It has been said that Shri Swaminarayan (1781–1820) once visited the Kapil Muni Temple in Sagar Island. There is a 1,400-foot pathway (parikrama) in the temple.
Watch films
The oldest golf club in India, established in 1829. Exclusively for members and guests.
টালিগঞ্জ ক্লাব Ṭāligañj Klāb
Exclusively for members and guests. Founded in 1895, and popularly known as the Tolly Club, the club is spread over a hundred-acre campus, and is acknowledged as one of the top clubs in the world. Even though the club has been more Indianised since 1947, the old elite colonial vibe is still there. It has been a popular choice to host events like weddings. As a sports club, it offers facilities for golf, tennis, squash, indoor and outdoor swimming, riding and amateur equestrian sports. The club also offers 67 well-furnished rooms, including air conditioned suites and residential rooms for the members and guests. Both AC and non-AC restaurants are available, serving continental, Indian and Chinese meals along with snacks and drinks.
Sabarna Roy Chowdhury's jagirdari family has been celebrating Durga Puja since 1610 in their ancestral home at Barisha. It is the second oldest bonedi (family) Durga Puja in West Bengal and possibly the oldest organised festival in Kolkata.
বেণুবন ছায়া Beṇubon Chhāyā
A public park built around a lake and has a tree lined path flanked by lakes on either side. The park is a peaceful destination to spend time with family and friends. You can also take a boat ride and visit a tram restaurant inside the park.
A long waterbody along EM Bypass, attracting hundreds on weekends. The lake is lined by roadside stalls, as well as various sculpture portraying some of Kolkata's wonders, including a replica of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, a Durga idol, a replica of the Howrah Bridge across the lake, a sculpture representing the football rivalry between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal (Kolkata Derby), and a sign of the iconic Floating Market that sadly has been closed since December 2023.
Biryani and Mughlai food. Popular items: firni, mutton kosha, mutton boti kebab, chicken chatpata, mutton biryani, egg chicken roll.
Cooking the Royal Biryani is the profession of Fiya the Zayka’s; they serve Mughlai food, developed under the patronage of the Mughal Kings and Queens using the spices of the Mughals' adopted Indian homeland.
A row of roadside stalls attracting hundreds during weekend.
A cosy café with outdoor seating. Offers a variety of breakfast options, as well as coffees and teas.
ভূতের রাজা দিল বর Bhūter Rājā Dila Bar
A Feluda-themed restaurant with 10 outlets in Kolkata, literally meaning "the king of ghosts has given a boon". It is famous for its hilsa (iliś) dishes.
A café with an old-house vibe, with familiar menu like pastas, burgers, wraps and rolls, along with a variety of hot and cold drinks.
কষে কষা Kaṣe Kaṣā
Famous for its mahabhoj thali with mutton curry, as well as whole bhapa ilish.
Vegetarian restaurant. Indian and Chinese cuisine. Popular items: lassi, naan, paneer tikka masala, roti, thali.
Flavours of Punjab.
Specialist in Punjabi, tandoori & North Indian cuisine. Free home food delivery or sit 'n' dine service.
Pizzas, garlic bread.
Supreme pizza, momos, fried rice chicken, burgers, Margherita pizza.
দ্যা ফ্লেমিংগো Dyā Phlemiṁgo
Popular for pork dishes, although services can be quite slow.
North Indian and Chinese cuisine. Specialities - mocktails, shawarma, murgh musallam, masala kulcha, keema naan, murg reshmi kabab, manchow soup. Try their mixed kabab plate. Hard drinks served.
All sorts of sweetmeat with unforgettable taste
Chinese, Continental, North Indian, etc.
Tasty and varied Bengali dishes - mocha chingri, mochar ghonto, mutton kasha, dhokar dalna, posto bora et al. Must try bhetki fry. Special menu during the Poila Baisakh week, but beware of the crowds it attracts, because it is a small homely place. They also serve Continental, Chinese and Thai dishes. Drinks not served.
Variety of Kababs served hot
Innovative Chinese food.
Mediterranean food
Branch at Bagha Jatin
Chinese, North Indian, Bengali food
Liquor shop.
The Fern Resort & Spa
110 rooms, halls, conference rooms, swimming pool and many other indoor facilities. Arrangements for weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties, conferences, corporate award shows and dinner, dealer’s meet, training sessions etc. Lunch also available for non-boarders.
A private roadside market spread across 0.66 acre. Vegetables, fruits, betel leaf, fish, meat, egg and grocery are available.
Consumer goods market - lots of foreign goods. Fancy items, fancy prices. Beware of fakes.
It is an excellent place to buy Indian handicrafts and artifacts. There are many Indian state government emporiums there, stocked with fixed price goods from all over the country. It also has clothes shops, eateries et al.
Car parking available @ ₹25 per hour.
Although the era of fountain pens is over, the company still sells these and their inks, mainly as souvenir products.
By metro
The Blue Line runs along the city from north to south, and is the fastest and the most convenient way to reach the Southern Suburbs.
By bus
Large number of bus routes from other parts of Kolkata and outside Kolkata ply into this area.
By train
The Sealdah-Budge Budge, Sealdah-Canning, Sealdah-Diamond Harbour and Sealdah-Namkhana lines of the Sealdah South section pass through this area. Beware of the work hour rush.
By ferry
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Kolkata · International · CCU
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