|
|
Gardens
The fertile and verdant plains of Hoogly River are a boon to Kolkata. The proximity to the Bay of Bengal gives it plenty of rains and the tropical sun provides the right conditions for all plant species to thrive. The British were quick to exploit this in developing some of the finest gardens and open spaces. The Eden Gardens is one of the finest examples of a trimmed wilderness.
Eden Gardens
Eden Gardens is famous for the cricket stadium known by the same name. The place is a vast expanse of gardens believed to be created by two sisters in the mid 1800s. The beautiful settings of the garden with Hoogly River in the vicinity make it a romantic place to visit. There is a large manmade lake within the Garden complex and a beautiful Pagoda which was brought from Myanmar (then Burma). A word about the Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium; it is the largest stadium in the region which can seat more than hundred thousand spectators. Any cricket series being played in India is not complete without a match in the Eden Gardens.
Zoological Garden
The sprawling 100 acres along the Belverdre Road, just to the south of Maidan is the Kolkata Zoo or the Zoological Gardens. Some say that it was the initiative of the Nawab Wazid Ali Shah of Lucknow but the place was finally opened for public by the Prince of Wales in 1876. It is by far the largest and oldest Indian zoo. The zoo houses a variety of bird and animal species including a rare white tiger. The special snake enclosure has small as well the giant Indian Cobra. The artificial lake within the premises attracts large hordes of migratory birds in the winters and sure is a pretty sight. It was a must visit destination of Kolkata just a decade back. It is sad the footfalls have reduced considerably with the advent of modern means of entertainment.
Botanical Gardens
The 270 acre garden, host to fifty thousand botanical species is located in Howrah, a little distance from Kokata. The botanical garden is famous for a giant banyan tree and large variety of orchids. Palms is another specialty with Cuban, Traveling and other varieties available in plenty. The garden is not just a show piece but a research center of repute. The world famous Darjeeling green tea, the favorite of pro anti-oxidant lobby, is the outcome of research in these hallowed precincts.
|
|