6th International & 19th National Conference of ARTTI
Kolkata 31st Oct & 1st Nov, 2015
Organised by ARTTI, West Bengal Chapter
 
 
 

Kolkata, erstwhile capital city of British India, the gateway to the East, the "City of Joy", the City of palaces and perhaps a city of rallies and processions- the city means many thing to many people, perhaps most of all, the cultural hub of India.

Home to 5 Nobel Laureates, the city has bred legions of renowned authors, artists, scientists and film makers. Cricket and football-era Kolkata is also a foodies paradise. It is a melting pot of myriad colours, sights, sounds and tastes that makes every visit an unforgettable journey through time. The city effortlessly bridges the old and the new, always ready to embrace and entertain visitors. The city boasts of Medical College & Hospitals, the oldest medical school in Asia which has very recently celebrated its 175th year. Radiotherapy too, has a long history in this institute, with the first department ever in India, which has recently celebrated its centenary. The city now houses a large number of modern Radiotherapy departments, in both government and corporate sectors.

Kolkata is well connected by road, rail and air to all part of the India and the world. Innovation and enthusiasm are never in short supply in Kolkata and we hope that our guests will look back on this 19th ARTTICON as not just an event but an experience of a lifetime.

 
 
 
Places to Visit:
 

• Victoria Memorial-

Victoria Memorial, a not-to-be-missed tourist/tourism destination, is situated at the southern end of famous Victoria Maidan. This structure was built between 1906 and 1921 on the lines of the Taj Mahal, in memory of
Queen Victoria.
 
 


Nicco Park-
Nicco Park is situated at Salt Lake. This must visit tourism spot in Kolkata city is based on the famous Warner Bros. Disneyland. Apart from the varieties of unusual games and rides, the place has a truly world standard water park.
 
 

Botanical Gardens-
The extensive Botanical Gardens situated on the western bank of the Hoogly River are a famous tourism attraction in Kolkata. Main attraction of the garden is the 200-year-old Banyan tree that is claimed to have the second largest canopy in the world.
 
 

Indian Museum-
Indian Museum is the largest museum in the country. The Museum has six main sections namely Art, Anthropology, Archaeology, Geology, Industry and Zoology. The place has got some of the rare samples in the world. A tour to this place in Kolkata is a must.
 
 

MP Birla Planetarium-
MP Birla Planetarium is one of the largest in the world. This 21st century marvel of science, communication and environment is the first and among the few of its kind in India.
 
 


Eden Gardens -
 Now the name here is a confusion of sorts. Incase your mind is racing already, this place has got nothing to do with the Biblical Eden. And its fame as a garden is passe, considering its roaring popularity as a site for the international cricket matches. However, it still offers a quiet stroll along the banks of the Hoogly River, add to it a short cruise down the river with the Vidyasagar Setu Bridge silhouetted in the background.

 
 


National Library -
The National Library of Kolkata is the largest library in India and the second largest in Asia. It currently houses 2 million books and approximately half a million documents. It was opened to the general public on 1st February 1953. Since then, it has been running under Department of Culture, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of India.

 
 

Dakshineswar Kali Temple -
Flanking the mighty Ganges River, on the Kalighat Road, north of Kolkata is this sprawling temple with a Goddess Kali shrine in the center, surrounded by 12 of Lord Shiva. The great religious thinker Ramakrishna Paramahamsa is believed to have achieved spiritual nirvana, here and today pilgrims from around the world visit the temple to bask in its ethereal serenity. The goat sacrifice ritual everyday (that allegedly replaced the ancient practice of human sacrifice), however might leave one with a bad taste if sighted.

 
 


St Pauls Cathedral: 
Bishop Wilson built this church in Gothic style in 1847. This Church is the most beautiful & always well maintained. It attracts Christians from all over the world.

 
 


Alipore Zoo:
 
Comprising a vast area of 16 hectares this zoo is the house of hundreds of wild animals and birds. In winter lots of migratory birds come from far away lands. This zoo also has a good collection of sea-fishes & snakes.

 
 


Science City: 
Set in a 50 Acre of plot at the junction of Eastern Metropolitan bypass and Park Circus connectors. It has the capacity to hold more than 20,000 visitors at a time with conference hall, cafeteria, monorails, ropeway etc. 

 
 

Princep Ghat :
Kolkata, rightfully known as the City of Joy, is full of attractions that provide immense joy to its visitors. And if you are on a lookout for a quiet and peaceful place to spend some quality time, then Prinsep Ghat is the ideal location for you! A place with an exceptional photographic view, Prinsep Ghat was built during the British Raj on the banks of the Hooghly River. The people of Kolkata built this ghat in the memory of James Prinsep, a learned man who helped in deciphering Emperor Akbar's Brahminical script.

 
 


Belur Math :
Belur Math is located on the banks of the river Hooghly in West Bengal. It was built in 1988. Belur Math is well known for its tranquil beauty. Belur Math is the international headquarter of the Ramakrishna Mission which was established by Swami Vivekananda in loving memory of his teacher Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa who preached for unity of all religions.

 
 


Aquatica :
Aquatica is the latest hangout in Kolkata. Spread over an area of 8 acres, it is situated at Kochpukur in Rajarhat. Aquatica is a water park that was set up in the year 2000. Another amusement park named Nicco Park is just 6 kilometers away from it. 

 
 

Eco Park :
New Town Eco Park (officially Prakriti Tirtha) is an urban park in Rajarhat, Kolkata. The park is situated on a 480 acres  plot and is surrounded by a 104 acres (42 ha) waterbody with an island in the middle. The park was conceptualised by Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee in July 2011. The Eco Park is further divided into different sub-parts according to the different types of fauna planted. According to the plan, the park will have different areas like wild flower meadows, a bamboo garden, grasslands, tropical tree garden, bonsai garden, tea garden, Cactus Walk, a heliconia garden, a butterfly garden, a play area and an amphitheatre.

 
 
 
 
  Outside City :
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Shanti Niketan:
The most popular tourism destination around Kolkata is Shanti Niketan. Situated 136 kilometers northwest of the city, this is the place where Rabindranath Tagore lived and established a university.

  • How to reach:From Calcutta, trains are available to Shantiniket
  • Best Time To Visit: September to February.
  • Accomodation: Hotels etc.
  • Local Transport: Bus, taxi service etc.
  • Distance from Kolkata to Shantiniketan : 179 km
 
 
 


Bishnupur
:
Situated 100 km northwest of Calcutta, Bishnupur is another exciting and hitherto unexplored tour destination. Bishnupur houses unique terracotta temples, each more beautifully embellished than the other.

  • Distance from Kolkata to Bishnupur: 199 km
 
 
 
Darjeeling :
In the contemporary times, tourism in Darjeeling is on its boom. In this article, we will provide you with Darjeeling city guide that will enable you to explore more about this beautiful city. 

Fast Facts about Darjeeling, India
Location: east of West Bengal 
Distance from Kolkata to Darjeeling : 642 km
Tourist Attractions: Yiga Choeling Monastery, Museum of Natural History, Observatory hill, Dhirdam Temple, Aloobaari Monastery, Bhutia Bustee Monastery and the Ava Art Gallery
 
 
 

Digha:
Digha is a great tourist attraction for its fabulous sea beach. The long Casuarina trees fill this area making it a wonderful picnic spot as well as a nice place for the people who love peace & serene atmosphere. Atmosphere is simply stunning & a lovely place for picnic. There are also some artist camps nearby.

  • How to reach:Digha is accessible from Kolkata by bus. Very soon
  • Best Time To Visit: September to February.
  • Accomodation: Hotels etc.
  • Local Transport: Bus, taxi service etc.
  • Distance from Kolkata to Digha : 236 km.
 
 
 

Chandipur :
This place (Chandipur) is famous for golden sea beach with flatsand bed. This type of beach is rarely available in the world. It is also famous for I.T.R & PXE of DRDO, Govt. of India. A lot of modern Govt. & private hotels are available here at affordable cost. Tourists visiting the place never like to go back.

  • Distance from Kolkata to Chandipur is 257 km.
 
 
 

Shankarpur :
Shankarpur – fishing village surround by casuarinas plantations in Midnapore district of West Bengal. Latest Sea Beach of Bengal, Shakarpur is still developing asthe tourist spot and could attract many tourists infuture who loves Sea Beaches.

  • Distance of Shakarpur from Kolkata  is around 170 Kms.

 
 
 
Sundarban :
Its beauty lies in its unique natural surrounding. Thousands of meandering streams, creeks, rivers and estuaries have enhanced its charm. Sundarban is the natural habitat of the world famous Royal Bengal Tiger, spotted deer, crocodiles, jungle fowl, wild boar, lizards, theses monkey and an innumerable variety of beautiful birds. Migratory flock of Siberian ducks flying over thousands of sail boats loaded with timber, golpatta (round-leaf), fuel wood, honey, shell and fish further add to the serene natural beauty of the Sundarban.
 
 
 
• Mandarmani:
Mandarmani is a beach resort in Purba Medinipur district of South Bengal , one of the southern districts of West Bengal . It is almost 180km from Kolkata Airport on the Kolkata - Digha route and just 14km from Chaulkhola .Mandarmani is one of Bengal’s recently developed tourist destination that lies close to ever-popular Digha and Shankarpur. With sun and surf, pristine sea beach and untrammeled silt coloured sand, this beach is slowly becoming popular among the tourists.
 
 
 
Tajpur:
Incredibly " A virgin beach for yourself " - Tajpur is the latest addition in tourist map of Bengal in between Digha & Mandarmoni, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal. The prime attraction of Tajpur is its pristine sea beach fringed with a dense forest of tarmarisk trees. The beach is infested with infinite number of RED CRABS which play hide & seek in the sand. Their presence makes the beach look crimson. There are fishermen's villages in the vicinity, where one can observe the mundane life of fisheran. Just 1km. away is a lagoon with a pleasant surrounding. In fact, one may get a feeling of 'owning' the beach. The Casuarina's trees kissed by the gentle breeze at Tajpur are a soothing sight.