Kalighat : According to the legend, when Lord Shiva’s wife Parvati’s body
was cut up, one of her fingers fell here. Rebuilt in 1809, this is an important shrine of
Hindu Shakti worship. The temple is in the southern part of the city.
Dakshineswar Kali Temple Belur Math : Built in 1847, on the
banks of the Hooghly, north of Kolkata, the temple is associated with Shri Ramakrishna,
the eclectic 19th century saint who revived Hinduism during the British Raj.
Across the river stands Belur Math, headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission. The Monastery is
a haven of peace and religious harmony.
Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture : Commemorates the
birth centenary of Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. Religious discourses and cultural
exchanges are held here among international scholars. The institute is located at Golpark.
Nakhoda Mosque : Modelled on Akbar’s tomb in Sikandra, the
red sandstone mosque has two minarets 46 mts high, a brightly painted onion shaped dome
and can accommodate 10,000 people. Built in 1926 and located on Chitpur Road.
St. John’s Church : Built in 1787 with Grecian columns. The
burial ground has the mausoleum of Job Charnok, founder of Kolkata. On the north-west side
of Raj Bhavan.
St. Paul’s Cathedral : Constructed between 1839 and 1847 in
Gothic style with stained glass windows and two Florentine frescoes, the cathedral is the
largest in the city and next to the Birla Planetarium. St. Paul’s was conscerated in
1874.
Armenian Church : The oldest place of Christian worship in
Kolkata. The church of Holy Nazareth was built in 1764.
Among the other churches to visit are St. Andrew’s Church. The
Old Mission Church and the Greek Orthodox Church.
Jewish Synagogues : The Maghen David Synagogue on Jewish
Synagogue Street and the BETHEL on Pollock Street are very old worship houses and a
reminder to the cosmopolitan nature of the city.
Parsi Fire Temples : They cater to the religious needs of the
prominent Parsi community of Kolkata. Located on Metcalf Street and Beliaghata.
Japanese Buddhist Temple : Located on the banks of Rabindra
Sarovar.
Pareshnath Jain Temple : The temple is an ornate mass of mirrors, coloured
stones and glass mosaic, and overlooks a beautiful garden. It is in Shyambazar.
Swami Vivekananda's House : The
ancestral house of Swami Vivekananda at Simla St. (opposite Bidhan
Sharani)
