Maidan-Park Street
Maidan-Park Street comprises the southern part of Central Kolkata. The Maidan (ময়দান Maẏdān) is a 400-hectare park that stretches from the Hooghly River in the west to Chowringhee and Park Street in the east, and from the Victoria Memorial in the south to Raj Bhavan and Eden Gardens in the north. Park Street (পার্ক স্ট্রিট Pārk Sṭriṭ) runs west-east from Chowringhee Road to AJC Bose Road, and eventually to Park Circus.
Understand
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The tiger-haunted jungle, which cut off the village of Chowringhee from the river, was cleared and gave way to the wide grassy stretch of the Maidan of which the city is so proud. The Maidan was developed as a 5-km2 parade ground for the British forces and even today is army property. It is a vast stretch of field and home to numerous playgrounds, including the famous cricketing venue Eden Gardens, several football grounds, and the Kolkata Race Course. The Maidan sports several statues. The roads on the Maidan are dotted with tiny greenish bungalow tents (clubhouses) belonging to various sports clubs. There are numerous patches for playing. Some of the larger clubs occupy the fields with wooden galleries.
The big three of Kolkata football, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan, have a noticeable presence, but there are also names with faded glory, such as Rangers. Somewhere in between fit-in organisations such as the Kennel Club and the Press Club. There are also lower-order clubs, who do not have much of a following but have a noticeable contribution and sometimes spring a surprise – Wari, Aryans, Rajasthan and so on – and a host of office clubs. Once in a while, the Maidan has political rallies with crowds numbering one hundred thousand plus.
Park Street is Kolkata's foremost dining area with many restaurants and pubs, which also showcases fashionable clothes, books from all over the world and so on. It has retained the British spirit and is so well decorated during Christmas and New Year as if it is still part of the British Empire.
Get in
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Map of Maidan-Park StreetBy metro
[edit]The Blue Line 1 runs over Chowringhee Road, with stops at Park Street, Maidan and Rabindra Sadan.
See
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- 1 The 42 (দ্য ফোরটি-টু Dya Phōrṭi-ṭu), 42B, Chowringhee Rd. A 260 m (850 ft) high box-shaped apartment building, and the tallest building of the city.
- 2 Birla Planetarium (বিড়লা তারামণ্ডল Biṛlā Tārāmaṇḍal), 96, Chowringhee Rd, (N of St. Paul's Cathedral). One of the oldest planetaria in India. The only planetarium in the country whose dome houses a collection of projectors and optical equipment expensively imported from the erstwhile East Germany. It is the largest planetarium in South Asia and the second largest in the world. Daily shows in English, Hindi and Bengali. The central dome measures 25 m (82 ft) in diameter.
- 3 Glorious Dead Memorial, Indira Gandhi Sarani. Open all day. A memorial dedicated to the fallen soldiers of World War I. Free.
- 4 Lascar War Memorial, Hastings. A memorial dedicated to the memory of the 896 Indian sailors (lascars) who died serving on ships of the Royal Navy and British Merchant Service during World War I.
Museums and galleries
[edit]- 5 Academy of Fine Arts, info@academyoffinearts.in.
- 6 Nehru Children's Museum, 94/1, Chowringhee Rd (metro: Rabindra Sadan 1 ), ☏ +91-33 2223 1551, nehrumuseum1972@gmail.com. W-Su 11AM-7PM.
- 7 Victoria Memorial (ভিক্টোরিয়া মেমোরিয়াল Bhikṭoriẏā Memoriẏāl), Queen's Way (metro: Maidan 1 , Rabindra Sadan 1 , Victoria 3 ), ☏ +91 33 2223-5142, victomem@gmail.com. Tu-Su 5:30AM-6:45PM, Son et Lumière (English) 7:15PM Oct-Feb and 7:45PM Mar-Jun. Kolkata's most celebrated landmark, this monument was built with imperial self-confidence and was the brainchild of Lord Curzon, one of India's most flamboyant Viceroys. The domed structure was completed in 1921, with marble used from Makrana. Now a museum, the Victoria Memorial's 25 galleries are spread over 2 floors. The collection covers a fascinating selection of Raj memorabilia and includes the Calcutta Gallery with oil paintings and watercolours of the city's history. Do not miss the grand Durbar Hall, inside which lies a statue of Lord Cornwallis. The museum is set in extensive and beautiful lawns and is lit up at night. A laser audio-visual show is held on the lawns every evening. "Nike", the Greek Goddess of victory, on top of the museum, is said to be haunted and has been prominently featured in many Kolkata stories and novels. For garden; ₹4 for Indian; for museum ₹10 for Indian and ₹150 for foreigner. Camera free. The fees for light and sound shows are ₹10 and ₹20.
Religious attractions
[edit]- 8 Lower Circular Road Cemetery.
- 9 St. Paul's Cathedral (সেন্ট পলস ক্যাথিড্রাল Senṭ Pals Kyāthiḍrāl), 1A, Cathedral Rd. The largest Anglican church in Kolkata. It was constructed in 1847 and serves as a cathedral church of Church of North India (CNI). This Gothic-styled cathedral was designed by William Nairn Forbes.
- 10 St. Thomas Church, Middleton Row. A Roman Catholic church in the city.
- 11 South Park Street cemetery, Park St. The final resting place for early British traders and settlers.
Vijay Durg
[edit]In the early 18th century, a dense jungle was cut down to build a fort and develop the Maidan, after the earlier mud defence was destroyed in 1756. Completed in 1733, the fort was named Fort William after King William III. It was officially renamed Vijay Durg (literally "Victory Fort") in 2025, decades after its takeover by the Indian Army. The fort is built of brick and mortar in an irregular octagonal star shape. There are six gates and is similar to other forts of this period (Thalassery fort).
Today, it is the headquarters of the Indian Army's Eastern Command, and access is limited for civilians. However, it organises a heritage walk for visitors every Sunday with a batch of 15-20 visitors, starting from the East Gate. The ticket cost is ₹300, which can be paid online or in cash on arrival. Participants have to display their identity. Slippers and half-length trousers are not allowed in the premises. Photography is limited to some of the following spots.
- 12 Command Museum. Contains artefacts related to the history of Kolkata, the Eastern Command, the Burma Campaign, the 1962 Sino-Indian war and the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war.
- 13 Manekshaw House (formerly Kitchener's House). A four-storey mixed Gothic-Georgian building that was built in 1771 and named after one of the commanders-in-chief of Fort William. The building was later renamed after S.H.F.J. Manekshaw, Indian Army's first field marshal. Governor-General Lord Wellesley spent 14 years here. The building is used as the officers' mess.
- 14 Purvi Kaman Vijay Smarak (right side of the East Gate). Visible from Indira Gandhi Sarani (Red Road), the monument consists of three tall granite columns upholding the insignia of the Eastern Command. The wall behind the monument has names of military personnel of the Command who martyred in 1962 and 1967 Sino-Indian wars, the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war, and various counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
- 15 St Peter's Anglican Church (Fort William Church). The sole church of Vijay Durg, and once a chaplaincy centre to the British in the city. Resembling the chapel of Cambridge's Trinity Hall, the white Gothic-style church was established in 1822. It contains the Command Library with a collection of over 35,000 books.
Do
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- 1 Indira Gandhi Sarani (Red Road). A road running from Raj Bhavan to the West Gate of Vijay Durg, surrounded by greenery. The road is known for a large parade on Republic Day (26 January) and the Durga Puja Carnival.
- 2 Kolkata Race Course, Hastings. Built in 1819, it is one of the best in the east and is the scene of much gaiety, especially during the winter season.
- 3 Mohor Kunja (Citizens' Park). A park known for its musical fountains and an open-air stage for cultural events.
- 4 Royal Calcutta Turf Club. Founded in 1847, it is the oldest turf club in India and one of the most beautiful and largest in the world.
Entertainment
[edit]- 5 Nandan (নন্দন), 1/1, AJC Bose Rd (metro: Rabindra Sadan 1 ). The symbol of art and culture in the city. Major festivals are held here, including Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF).
- 6 Rabindra Sadan (রবীন্দ্র সদন Rabīndra Sadan) (metro: Rabindra Sadan 1 ), ☏ +91 33 2223 9917. Theatre and cultural centre built 1961-67.
- 7 Sisir Mancha (শিশির মঞ্চ Śiśir Mañca), 1-1, AJC Bose Rd (metro: Rabindra Sadan 1 ). A building housing an auditorium for Bengali theatres, an art gallery, and an information centre for tourists in Kolkata.
Football grounds
[edit]Learn
[edit]- 1 Alliance Française du Bengale, Gate 3, Park Mansions, 57A Park St (upon arriving at Park Mansions, enter the gate facing Park St at Mirza Ghalib St-Park St crossing), ☏ +91 33 4006 4801. 10AM-6PM (closed Su). The French language school in Kolkata, promoting the study of French and encouraging international cultural exchange and relations.
- 2 Max Mueller Bhavan Kolkata (Goethe-Institut), Gate 4, Park Mansions, 57A Park St (upon arriving at Park Mansions, take Mirza Ghalib St and enter the leftmost gate), ☏ +91 33 2264 6602. 9AM-6PM (closed Su). The German language school in Kolkata, promoting the study of German and encouraging international cultural exchange and relations.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Earthcare Books, 10 Middleton St (Maidan metro station), ☏ +91 33 2229-6551. A wonderful independent bookstore tucked away in an alley leading from Middleton St. As the name suggests, the bookstore specializes in environmental titles but also has a wide range of local subjects and poetry.
- 2 Emami Shoppers' City, 3 Lord Sinha Rd, ☏ +91 33 2282 0675. Coffee shops, bookshop, designer wear, toy shops, boutiques, footwear stores, electronic stores, discotheque, beauty salons, gift shops, game parlours, multiplex
- 3 Metro Plaza, 1, Ho Chi Minh Sarani (metro: Maidan 1 , beside Tata Centre), ☏ +91 33 30525473, +91 33 30525474, +91 33 22883802. Locally manufactured readymade clothes. Many shops deal only in imported garments, mostly from Bangkok. The latest footwear and lingerie. Good parking facility.
- 4 Oxford Book Store, 15 Park St, ☏ +91 33 2229 5455. A large and well-organised bookstore. Good selection of books on India and by Indian writers. Discount books and cafe (Cha Bar, see Drink section) on the second floor.
- 5 Vardaan Market, 25-A, Camac St, ☏ +91 33 22812724, +91 33 22874082. Forerunner of today's large shopping malls, it was the earliest air-conditioned market. Little shops and stalls line the walls of this mall selling shoes, handbags, toys, saris, salwar suits and western wear for ladies, shirts, tee shirts and trousers for men and children's clothes for all ages, chocolates and snacks.
- 6 Westside, Block D22 Camac St, ☏ +91 33 22817312, mywestside@trent-tata.com. 11AM-9PM. The Westside stores have numerous departments to meet the varied shopping needs of customers. These include menswear, womenswear, kidswear, footwear, cosmetics, perfumes and handbags, household accessories, lingerie, and gifts. Fashionable goods are priced a little on the higher side.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Drive Inn, 10 Middleton St (same as Earthcare Books), ☏ +91 33 2217-2247. An outdoor restaurant offering a wide range of good vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare (Indian/Chinese). AC area is available, the staff speaks good English and is friendly. Meals from around ₹70.
- Gangaur, 2 Russel St, ☏ +91 33 22658437. Serves a variety of vegetarian food but is famous for its Rajasthani or Marwari food.
- 2 Jimmy's Kitchen, 7/1A, AJC Bose Rd (AJC Bose Rd-Shakespeare Sarani crossing), ☏ +91 33 2290 7139. Chinese food. Drinks available. Popular items: Thai soup, noodles, lung fung soup, prawn, crispy chilli chicken, roast pork chilli, sweet corn soup. Jimmy's Kitchen has two branches: 1. 36F Ruby Hospital Road, 2. 14D, Lindsay Street.
- 3 Jyoti Vihar, Ho Chi Minh Sarani, ☏ +91 33 2282 9791. Offers clean and tasty South Indian food. It is completely vegetarian.
- 4 Mocambo, 25B Mirza Ghalib St, ☏ +91 33 2265 4300. Same owners as Peter Cat, but here the cuisine is a bit more rounded. Continental, Indian and even some Chinese dishes are served in upscale surroundings. mains ₹100-300.
Park Street
[edit]- 5 Flury's, 18 Park St (metro: Park Street 1 ), ☏ +91 33 22297664. Tu-Su 7AM-8PM, M 10AM-6PM. A popular and stylish cafe serving a good variety of baked goods and various coffees, sandwiches and entrees. A great place for breakfast or lunch. Baked goods ₹80-₹100, drinks ₹80, meals ₹600-1000.
- 6 Kwality, 17, Park St (next to Oxford Book Shop). Been around for years with sharply dressed waiters serving tasty tandoori and north Indian food to well-off locals. Try their Chhola-bhatura. Mains from ₹100.
- Moulin Rouge (not to be confused with Paris night club), 31, Park St, ☏ +91 33 2229 9397.
- Oasis, 33, Park St, ☏ +91 33 2229 9033. Cosy restaurant with variety of foods. Has a small bar service counter with three stalls.
- 7 Peter Cat, 18, Park St (metro: Park Street 1 ), ☏ +91 33 2229 8841. Very popular for its chello kababs. However, their service has not received the best reviews. Serves Indian, tandoori and Continental fare.
- 8 Shiraz Golden Restaurant, 135, Park St (near AJC Bose Rd crossing), ☏ +91 33 3099 0175. Noon-11:30PM. Biryani and Mughlai food. Popular items: firni, mutton biryani, brain masala, chicken tikka, chicken reshmi butter masala, mutton haleem. It has four food outlets in Kolkata: Kankurgachi, Salt Lake Sector III, Ajay Nagar, and Nagerbazar.
- 9 Waldorf, 13 D, Russel St (near crossing with Park St), ☏ +91 33 65354952. Serves delicious Chinese food.
Shakespeare Sarani
[edit]- Kebab E Que, The Astor, 15 Shakespeare Sarani, ☏ +91 33 2282 9957, +91 33 2282 9958. They serve Indian and continental cuisine, but what has made this outlet famous is the variety of kebabs that go wonderfully well with drinks.
- 10 Sip & Sandwich, 1 Shakespeare Sarani, Theatre Road AC Market (Chowringhee Rd corner), ☏ +91 9830605145. Vegetarian fast food
Drink
[edit]Bars
[edit]- Big Ben, The Kenilworth, Little Russell St.
- 1 The Myx, 20G Park St.
- Nocturne, Shakespeare Sarani.
- 2 Olive Café & Bar, 6F, 40, Shakespeare Sarani. Mediterranean charm and handmade cocktails.
- 3 Olypub, 23, Park St, ☏ +91 33 64520472. 11AM to 11PM. A fine afforable bar, famous for the beer and the beef steak.
- Shisha Bar Stock Exchange, The Factory Outlet, 22 Camac St.
Cafés
[edit]There are a number of café chains (Barista, Café Coffee Day, etc.) on Park Street, near the junction with Mirza Ghalib Street.
- 4 Cha Bar, 2nd floor, Oxford Book Store, Park St. A modern and chic café with a great selection of teas, including herbal, and smoothies. The coffee, however, is mediocre. A large window offers views of street life below, while the books provide a literary dimension.
- The Street, GF, Park Hotel, Park St. The universal colours of chic decor, black and red, are used extensively to give this café a warm but modern feel. Good selection of coffees and healthy snacks, opposed to what the name might make you think. This café is about as far from representing Kolkata's street life as you could possibly get, but it makes a good alternative to the ubiquitous Baristas and Coffee Days.
Sleep
[edit]| This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room: | |
| Budget | Under ₹2,000 |
| Mid-range | ₹2,000–5,000 |
| Splurge | Over ₹5,000 |
Budget
[edit]- 1 Seacom Inn YMCA, 25 Chowringhee Rd (near corner with Kyd St), ☏ +91 33 2249-2192, chowringheeymca@yahoo.com. An extremely drab and dark hotel that appears not to have received a lick of paint since its founding in the mid-19th century. However, in some ways, that is the hotel's distinctive charm, and so it may appeal to strict traditionalists. There is a simple restaurant on the second floor. The food is nothing special, but the balcony offers a great view of the buzzing city below. Non A/C single ₹600, with A/C ₹850.
- 2 Sunflower Guest House, 7 Royd St (200 m away intersection Park St and Mirza Ghalib St), ☏ +91 33 2229 9401, +91 33 2229 8388, sunflowerguesthouse@gmail.com. Clean and great location. Those who tote lots of luggage be warned there are stairs to climb to the top floor reception. ₹1,350 double.
Mid-range
[edit]- 3 The Senator, 15 Camac St, ☏ +91 33 2289 3000. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon.
Splurge
[edit]- 4 The Astor, 15 Shakespeare Sarani, ☏ +91 33 22829957, fax: +91 33 22827430, sales@astorkolkata.com. Double: ₹5,900-10,200.
- 5 The Golden Parkk, 13 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, ☏ +91 33 22883939, fax: +91 33 22889600, sales@thegoldenpark.com. From ₹8,000.
- 6 Kenilworth Hotel, 1 & 2, Little Russel St, ☏ +91 33 2282 3939, fax: +91 33 2282 5136, +91 33 2282 3940, +91 33 6621 4100, reservationkol@kenilworthhotels.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. ₹6,900-8,000.
- 7 The Park Hotel, 17, Park St, ☏ +91 33 2249 3121, fax: +91 33 2249 4000, resv.cal@theparkhotels.com. The unassuming exterior hides an elegant and homely interior with stylish Indian features. Drink at Aqua (First Floor), Roxy (Ground Floor), and Someplace Else (Ground Floor). ₹9,950-12,200.
Stay safe
[edit]Police stations
[edit]- Maidan Police Station, ☏ +91 33 2223 2462 (4551), +91 33 22480100.
- 3 Park Street Police Station, ☏ +91 33 22268321, +91 33 22832100, +91 33 22276437.
Connect
[edit]Libraries
[edit]- 4 Asiatic Society Library, 1, Park St. 10AM-6PM. The oldest library in Kolkata, with hundreds and thousands of books, journals and microfiche in various languages, along with a collection of different images. The main reading room has an internet facility, where you can search for books online.