The Victoria Memorial is a big famous building in Kolkata. It’s really special because it shows how India was in the old days. Many people come to see it because it’s so beautiful and filled with interesting history. You can take amazing Victoria Memorial photos here that show off its grand look.
You’ll find the Victoria Memorial right on Queen’s Way. These days, it’s a museum that the government takes care of. If you want to visit, it’s open from 10 in the morning to 5 in the evening, but it’s closed on Mondays. You need to buy a ticket to go inside. For Indian people, it costs 30 rupees, but if you’re from another country, it costs a bit more. The Memorial was built a long time ago, back in 1921. A man named Lord Curzon said it should be made. It’s a really big building – 103 meters long and 69 meters wide. These are just some of the interesting Victoria Memorial facts that make it such a special place to visit.
Historical Significance
Lord Curzon built the Victoria Memorial as a big project to honor Queen Victoria. When she passed away in 1901, India lost an important person. Curzon thought this large building would be a great way to show how special she was.
They started building it in 1906. It took many years to finish. A prince came and put down the first stone to start the construction. This was a big deal. After that, people worked on it for a long time. Finally, in 1921, it was ready for everyone to see. That’s 15 years of building! The Victoria Memorial Kolkata has been standing tall ever since, reminding us of its rich history.
Architectural Marvel
The Victoria Memorial looks really special. It has different styles mixed together. Some parts look like old British buildings. Other parts look like Mughal palaces. This mix makes it look very nice. People call this design Indo-Saracenic.
The building has a big dome in the middle. It also has smaller domes around it. There are tall doors too. They used a special white stone called Makrana marble to build it. Some people say it looks a bit like the Taj Mahal. But the Victoria Memorial is unique in its own way, making it a favorite spot for Victoria Memorial photos.
Museum and Galleries
Inside the Victoria Memorial, there’s a lot to see. It has 25 galleries in different places. Some galleries have special names. One is called the Royal Gallery. Another is the Calcutta Gallery. Each one has many things to look at.
These galleries show old and unique items. There are paintings of scenes from long ago. Some books are very old and rare. You can also see things used by important people from history. It’s like seeing the past come alive right in front of you. These galleries add to the many interesting Victoria Memorial facts that visitors can learn about.
Surrounding Gardens
A big garden surrounds the Victoria Memorial. It’s really huge, covering 57 acres! In this garden, you’ll find lots of things to see. There are statues of important people. Some show Queen Victoria and other famous rulers from the past. These statues add to the beauty captured in many Victoria Memorial photos.
Visitors love this garden. Many people come in the morning for a walk. It’s a nice place to enjoy being outside. Some folks bring food and sit on the grass. Kids play there too. Having this garden makes the Victoria Memorial Kolkata fun for everyone.
Modern Significance
Today, the Victoria Memorial works as a museum. The government takes care of it. Many people from different places come to see it. It’s very famous in Kolkata. Tourists like to visit and take pictures here.
At night, there’s a special show with lights and music. It happens after dark. This show tells stories about Kolkata’s history. It’s really nice to watch. They do this show at different times during the year, adding to the exciting Victoria Memorial facts visitors can experience.
Interesting Facts
- Before they built the Victoria Memorial, there was a jail here. It was called Presidency Jail. They moved the jail to make room for this big building.
- People gave money to build the Victoria Memorial. Many folks from all over India gave a little bit. This helped make it happen.
- During World War II, they painted the Victoria Memorial black! This was to hide it from enemy planes.
- The Victoria Memorial is very big. It’s 103 meters long and 69 meters wide. It’s taller than many other buildings around it.
- Inside the Victoria Memorial, there’s a very old book. It’s a hand-written Quran from the time of Emperor Aurangzeb. This is a very special thing to see.