Victoria Memorial Kolkata
The Victoria Memorial was built between 1906 and 1921 by the British government as a tribute to Queen Victoria, who was the Empress of India from 1876 to 1901. The idea of the memorial was proposed by Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, who wanted to create a grand building with a museum and gardens. The memorial was designed by William Emerson, a British architect, and Vincent Esch, an Indian architect. The memorial is made of white Makrana marble and has a dome that is 184 feet high.
The Victoria Memorial is not just a monument, but also a museum that displays various artifacts related to Queen Victoria and the British Raj.
The museum has 25 galleries that showcase paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, coins, stamps, weapons, textiles, and other items. Some of the highlights of the museum are the royal throne of King Edward VII, the personal belongings of Queen Victoria, the paintings of Abanindranath Tagore and Raja Ravi Varma, and the original manuscript of the Indian National Anthem by Rabindranath Tagore.
The Victoria Memorial is located in the Maidan area of Central Kolkata, having its entrance on the Queen’s Way. You can reach there by various modes of transport, such as:
- By air: The nearest airport is the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, which is about 25 km away from the Victoria Memorial. You can take a taxi, a bus, or a metro train from the airport to reach the monument.
- By train: The nearest railway station is the Howrah Junction, which is about 6 km away from the Victoria Memorial. You can take a taxi, a bus, or a ferry from the station to reach the monument.
- By metro: The nearest metro station is the Rabindra Sadan Metro Station, which is about 1 km away from the Victoria Memorial. You can walk or take a rickshaw from the station to reach the monument.
- By bus: There are many buses that ply to and from the Victoria Memorial. You can take any bus that goes to Maidan or Esplanade and get down at the Victoria Memorial bus stop.
- By taxi: You can also hire a taxi from any part of the city to reach the Victoria Memorial. The fare will depend on the distance and traffic.
Entry fee for Visiting the Victoria Memorial
- For Indians: Rs. 20 per person for visiting the museum and Rs. 10 per person for visiting the garden area.
- For foreigners: Rs. 200 per person for visiting the museum and Rs. 10 per person for visiting the garden area.
- For school children up to Class XII in uniform and Army personnel in uniform: Free entry for visiting both the museum and the garden area.
Timings for Visiting the Victoria Memorial
- For the museum: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm every day except Monday.
- For the garden area: 5:30 am to 6:15 pm every day throughout the year.
- For light and sound show: October to February – 6:15 pm to 7:00 pm (Bengali) and 7:15 pm to 8:00 pm (English); March to June – 6:45 pm to 7:30 pm (Bengali) and 7:45 pm to 8:30 pm (English).
The Victoria Memorial is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kolkata and India. It is a symbol of the colonial legacy and the national pride of India. It is a place where you can admire the beauty of architecture, art, and nature. It is a place where you can learn about the history and culture of India. It is a place that you should not miss if you visit Kolkata.
