Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) welcomes you with all the humor and charm of its rich Bengali culture against the backdrop of an enchanting colonial past. The city is ranked amongst the four major metropolis of India with Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. It was the first capital of the British Raj in India and had played a significant role during the Freedom Movement. Many great freedom fighters rose from its soil and made their mark into the golden pages of Indian History.

In the 16 th century, Job Charnok of East India Company converted a small village into a British trade settlement. Later it became the capital of British India and today Kolkata is a bustling city, represents the veritable microcosm of India. Popularly known as the ‘City of Joy and Hope’, Kolkata celebrates its every gracious occasion with full fervor and humor.

People of Kolkata are passionate about art, literature, music, dance, theatre, and sports. Since long Kolkata has been producing international stalwarts in every field-Nobel Laureates Rabindranath Tagore, Mother Teresa, and Amartya Sen, Oscar-winning filmmaker Satyajit Ray and sportspersons of international repute including India's current cricket captain Saurav Ganguly.

Endowed with a rich heritage, bustling streets, markets, shopping complexes, colorful festivals, and a bewildering variety of facets, Kolkata makes a thriving destination in every tourist itinerary.