Kolkata/Maidan

Maidan is a district of Kolkata. In the heart of the city, the 400-ha park 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 Bhawan and Eden Gardens in the north. Lending its name to this area is the huge, lush, green, open parkland.

The Birla Planetarium. A statue of Indira Gandhi stands in the foreground. The pier of St. Paul's Cathedral can be seen in the background.

Victoria Memorial

St. Paul's Cathedral

Nandan

Vidyasagar Setu

Eden Gardens

Get in

By metro

• 🌍 Maidan metro station. 
• 🌍 Park Street metro station. 
• 🌍 Rabindra Sadan metro station. 

By circular railway

• 🌍 Eden Gardens railway station, ~8, Strand Rd. 
• 🌍 Pricep Ghat railway station, Kolkata Riverfront, Fort William (Right north of Vidyasagar Setu Bridge). 

By bus

Buses are available.

By boat

• 🌍 Babu Ghat, Strand rd (Near to the Netaji Indoor Stadium). 

Get around

Area landmarks

• 🌍 Fort William. In the early 18th century, a dense jungle was cut down to build the fort and develop the maidan , after the earlier mud defense was destroyed in 1756. In Bengali, the Maidan is known as garer math (the field of the fort). The present fort, an irregular squat octagon was completed in 1733. It stands where Gobindapur village once stood. Today, it is the headquarters of the Indian Army's Eastern Command and is not open to the public. 
• Maidan (Marked on the map). The new Fort William was completed in 1773. 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 sq km parade ground for the British forces and even today is army property. It is a vast stretch of field and home to numerous play grounds, including the famous cricketing venue Eden Gardens, several football grounds, and Kolkata Race Course. The Maidan sports several statues. The roads on the Maidan are dotted with tiny greenish bungalow-tents (club houses) 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 Sporting have a noticeable presence but there also are names with faded glory such as Rangers. Somewhere in between fit in organisations such as Kennel Club and Press Club. There also are 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 Brigade Parade Ground has political rallies with crowds numbering one hundred thousand plus. 
• 🌍 Vidyasagar Setu Bridge (Marked on the map). With a total length of 823 metres (2,700 ft), Vidyasagar Setu is the longest cable–stayed bridge in India and one of the longest in Asia. It was the second bridge to be built across the Hooghly River; the first, the Howrah Bridge 3.7 km to the north. The bridge was commissioned in 1992. 

See

• Burmese Pavilion. Set in a small lake, which was brought from Burma by Lord Dalhousie in 1854 
• 🌍 Glorious Dead Memorial (North Eastern edge of Maidan). Open all day. Glorious Dead Memorial is a memorial dedicated to the fallen soldiers of World War I Free. (updated Jun 2015)
• 🌍 M.P. Birla Planetarium, 96, Jawaharlal Nehru Rd, (North of St. Paul's Cathedral). 96, Jawaharlal Nehru Road. 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 East Germany. It is the largest planetarium in South-East Asia and the second largest in the world. Daily shows in English, Hindi and Bengali.The central dome measures 25 mts in diameter. 
• 🌍 Nehru Children's Museum, 94/1, Chowringhee Road, Hazra, (Rabindra Sadan metro station), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. The museum remains open for the visitors on Wednesday through Sunday from 11AM to 07 pm. 
• 🌍 St. Paul's Cathedral, 1A, Cathedral Rd (Rabindra Sadan metro station walk 400m toward north). 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. 
• 🌍 Town Hall, Mayo Road, Maidan (Park Street Metro Station 500m). built in 1813, in Doric style of architecture. It is now the City Magistrate’s Office.Don’t let the riverfront mesmerize you yet !Between the Town Hall and the Strand is the Calcutta High Court, scene of legendary legal battles. Completed in 1872, the Gothic architectural style was copied from the Staadhans at Ypres, Belgium. The tower measures 55 mts. 
• 🌍 Victoria Memorial, Queen's Way (Metro: Maidan or Mero:Rabindra Sadan), ☎ [phone]. Tu-Su 5:30AM to 6:45PM, Son et Lumière (English) 7:15PM Oct-Feb and 7:45PM Mar-Jun. The city's most celebrated landmark, this monument was built to imperial self-confidence 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 different floors. The collection covers a fascinating selection of Raj memorabilia, and includes the Calcutta Gallery with oil paintings and watercolors of the city's history. Do not miss the grand Durbar Hall, inside which lies a statue of Lord Cornwallis. For garden; ₹4/- for Indian; for museum ₹10/- for Indian and ₹150/- for foreigner. Camera free. Fee for light and sound shows are ₹10 and ₹20.. 

Do

• 🌍 Academy of Fine Arts (Visit art exhibitions). 
• 🌍 Nandan. Cinema centre. Major festivals are held here. 
• 🌍 Rabindra Sadan, ☎ [phone]. Theatre and cultural centre. built 1961-67. 

Parks

• 🌍 Calcutta Racecourse, 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. 
• 🌍 Eastern Command Sports Stadium (Fort William Stadium) (Near to Vidyasagar Setu Bridge). 
• 🌍 Eden Gardens, Maidan (At Calcutta’s Cricket Stadium). Eden Gardens, named after Lord Auckland’s sister, this picturesque garden has a tiny Burmese pagoda set in a small lake. It also houses Calcutta’s Cricket Stadium, one of the most famous cricket stadiums in the world 
• 🌍 Netaji Indoor Stadium. Inauguarated in 1975, it can accommodate 12,000 people. The Netaji Indoor Stadium hosts a wide range of activities, from sporting events to cultural programmes. It is a venue for both national and international trade fairs. It is also used as a center of counting of votes. 
• 🌍 Outram Ghat, River front on Strand Rd. Outram Ghat is one of Kolkata's premier riverside entertainment spots. The place is a long stretch with a grand view of the river and Vidyasagar Setu nearby. There are numerous eateries. One can also have a ride in a country-boat. The ghat (steps leading to the river) is used for bathing and religious ceremonies. there are other ghats alongside. Beware of trains moving along the circular rail track.- A pleasant walk. View the majesty of the busiest bridge in the world, the Howrah Bridge and the Vidyasagar Setu – an awesome structural feat . Or enjoy a cruise on the river in a panshi. 
• 🌍 Princep Ghat Garden, Fort William, Hastings (Right north to Vidyasagar Setu). 

Buy

• 🌍 Earthcare Books, 10 Middleton St (Maidan metro station), ☎ [phone]. A wonderful independent bookstore tucked away in an alley leading from Middleton Street. As the name suggests, the bookstore specializes in environmental titles, but also has a wide range on local subjects and poetry. 
• 🌍 Emami Shoppers' City, 3 Lord Sinha Rd (Between Maidan metro station and Rabindra Sadan metro station), ☎ [phone]. Coffee shops, bookshop, designer wear, toy shops, boutiques, footwear stores, electronic stores, discotheque, beauty salons, gift shops, game parlours, multiplex 
• 🌍 Metro Plaza, 1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani (Beside Tata Centre, near to Maidan metro station), ☎ [phone], [phone], [phone]. Locally manufactured readymade clothes. Many shops deal only in imported garments, mostly from Bangkok. The latest footwear and lingerie. Good parking facility. 
• 🌍 Pantaloons (Departmental Store), 22 Camac St (Maidan metro station ~700m West), ☎ [phone], [phone]. 
• 🌍 Vardaan Market, 25-A, Camac St (Half km east of Maidan metro station), ☎ [phone], [phone]. Forerunner of today's large shoppng malls, it was the earliest airconditioned 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. 
• 🌍 Westside, Block D22 Camac St, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 11AM to 9PM. The Westside stores have numerous departments to meet the varied shopping needs of customers. These include menswear, women’s wear, kid’s wear, footwear, cosmetics, perfumes and handbags, household accessories, lingerie, and gifts. Fashionable goods priced a little on the higher side. 
• 🌍 New Market (Hogg Market), Bertram St, Lenin Sarani, Dharmatala, Taltala. 10AM - 8PM. New Market, previously known as the Stuart Hogg Market, was inaugurated on Jan 1, 1874 and happens to be one of the oldest surviving markets in the city. It is named after Sir Stuart Hogg, Chairman of Calcutta Corporation. Free. (updated Jun 2015)

Eat

• 🌍 Drive Inn, 10 Middleton St (Same as Earthcare Books), ☎ [phone]. An outdoor restaurant offering a wide range of good vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare (Indian/Chinese). AC area available, staff speaks good English and is friendly. Meals from around ₹70+. 
• 🌍 Haldiram Food City, 58 Chowringhee Rd (Near (South?) Rabindra Sadan metro station), ☎ [phone], [phone]. North Indian vegetarian street food 
• 🌍 Jyoti Vihar, Ho Chi Min Sarani. (Near to Metro Plaza), ☎ [phone]. Offers clean and tasty South Indian food. It is completely vegetarian. It is on the same street as the US Consulate. 
• New Embassy, 53A, Chowringhee Ln, New Market Area? (Right on Chowringhee Road between Theatre Road crossing and AJC Bose Road crossing), ☎ [phone]. Delicious Chinese food 
• 🌍 Sip & Sandwich, 1 Shakespeare Sarani, Theatre Road AC Market, Elgin (Jawaharlal Nehru Rd corner), ☎ [phone]. Vegetarian fast food 
• 🌍 Scoop, 71 Strand Rd (Beside the river, near Fort William.), ☎ [phone]. 12 noon to 10PM. Fast food outlet. It has an exclusive view of the river from the first floor of the restaurant. Sitting in the restaurant one can watch boats moving in the river and cars moving across Vidyasagar Setu. 
• Note: For places to eat in the Park Street area see Kolkata/Esplanade
• 🌍 Rallis, Esplanade, 10D, J L Nehru Road. Vegetarian restaurant known for various kind of snacks. Chats and South Indian foods are common. Famous for non alcoholic drinks including various kinds of milk shakes. (updated Jun 2015)

Drink

• Kabab-e-Que (The Astor), 15 Shakespeare Sarani (Inside the Astor Hotel), ☎ [phone]. Officially they serve Indian and continental cuisine but what has made this outlet famous are the variety of kababs that go wonderfully well with drinks. Price mid-range. 

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range

• 🌍 Casa Fortuna Hotel, 234/1A, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Rd, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Deluxe single ₹5,000, Deluxe double ₹6,000. 
• 🌍 The Senator (P.C.Chandra Group), 15 Camac St, ☎ [phone]. 

Splurge

• 🌍 The Astor, 15 Shakespeare Sarani, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Kabab-e-Que restaurant phone [phone] Sgl / dbl ₹7000/₹10000. 
• 🌍 The Golden Parkk, 13 Ho Chi Minh Sarani (Near to Maidan metro station), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. From 110 USD all tax incl.. 
• 🌍 Hotel Hindustan International, A.J.C. Bose Rd (near Minto Park). Good location near Rabindra Sadan metro station. Good food. Five star rates. From 73 USD. 
• 🌍 New Kenilworth Hotel, 1 & 2, Little Russel Street, (From Rabindra Sadan metro station ~500m East), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], [phone]-66214100, e-mail: [e-mail]. ₹8.000-₹11,000 all tax incl.. 
• The Oberoi Grand, 15, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata - 700 013, ☎ [phone], toll-free: 1800-11-2030, fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 10,000. (updated Feb 2015)

Connect

Go next

• Baranagar