Kolkata Maidan

Location: Near Park Street-Chowringhee

Time to Visit: Anytime of the day

Preferred Timings: Early morning and late afternoon.

Admission Fee: Nil

How to Reach: Since Maidan is right in the heart of the city, it is well connected by buses, taxis and of course the very efficient Metro underground railway.

Photography / Video charges: Nil

Nearest Railway Station: Sealdah

Nearest Metro Station: Maidan

Nearest Functional Metro Station: Maidan

Nearest International Airport: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.

Time required for sightseeing: 1 hour

The Maidan is one of the most picturesque areas of Kolkata and is a green expanse which is all of 400 hectares. From the north to south, it stretches 3 Kms and is bound by the majestic Strand Road to the West and the famous Chowringhee Road to the east. Tolly's Nulla happens to be the southern boundary where the Kolkata Race Course and Victoria memorial are located. From the North you can view the majestic Raj Bhawan or the Governor's House.

This awesome green belt of Kolkata is referred to as the lung of Kolkata. For many, Maidan is a place for rest and relaxation, particularly in the scorching summer months when the temperature hovers around 40 degree Celsius. The lush greenery of Maidan is an open invitation for morning walkers and joggers. Fitness fanatics come to the Maidan and can be seen performing yoga. There are a few laughing clubs as well.

During the afternoon when it is lunch time in corporate Kolkata, executives come to the cooler confines of the Maidan to relax. Jhall Muri, a lip-smacking roadside snack is very popular with the corporate crowd. So is the Teli Bhaja, Alu Dum and a wide assortment mouthwatering Bengali sweets.

To entertain the stressed out city souls, street musicians play traditional instruments and one is also likely to come across the nomadic Baul musicians who sing enchanting Bengali melodies, just to keep the crowd in good spirits.

Maidan comes alive during holidays and weekends. But the young and the old come to Maidan to chill off from the drudgery of everyday living. A carnival atmosphere prevails and children can be seen playing cricket, football and badminton in the lush green expanse while the elderly are busy gossiping about anything from local politics to rocket science.

Kolkata is famous for political rallies and the vast expanse of the Maidan is much preferred by the political parties. The rallies at Maidan attract huge crowds who converge at the picturesque Maidan and their passion reaches a crescendo when charismatic political bigwigs deliver fiery lectures on burning issues of the day.

A novel way of experiencing the soothing beauty of the Maidan and its surrounding tourist landmarks like Victoria Memorial, Fort William and Birla Planetarium is by hiring a horse driven carriage. The beautifully designed horse carriages are designed as replicas of yesteryears royal chariots which were very popular with both British as well as Indian royalty. As you ride along the contours of the sprawling Maidan, you are transported to the nostalgia of the British Raj.

Special Event

Cultural programs, the Kolkata Book Fair and other exhibitions are held regularly the Maidan.

Nearby Tourist Attractions

Victoria Memorial, Park Street, Fort William