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| Victoria Memorial |
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History
One of the renowned monuments in Kolkata, Victoria Memorial was built in the loving memory of Queen Victoria in 1921. Built and designed by Sir William Emerson, the Victoria Memorial Hall is an impressive edifice, which is made in white marble and is a perfect blend of Mughal and European architectural styles.
The Victoria Memorial is also a museum that houses some rare pictures, and statues of men and women who played a prominent part in the history of India and develop a pride in their past especially in relation to the history of Calcutta. In addition the museum also houses dresses, along with several artillery weapons from the Battle of Plassey, the Whispering Gallery in the dome and the famed Rosewood piano.
Cited as one of the finest and the most important building and art museum in present Kolkata, Victoria Memorial is a majestic building, which also houses a Royal Gallery that showcases oil paintings depicting the scenes from the life of Queen Victoria like receiving the sacrament at her coronation, or her marriage with Prince Albert among others.
Built on a land of 64 acres with the building covering 338 ft by 228ft, Victoria Memorial is an architectural splendour that boasts of a scenic landscaped garden, which adds to the beauty of this royal grandeur. There are some remarkable figures sculpted above the north porch, which symbolise prudence, learning and motherhood.
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Best time to visit
The best time to visit Victoria Memorial Hall is between October and March when you will conveniently miss the sweaty, humid and suffocating Bengal summer.
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Trivia
The total cost of construction of Victoria Memorial amounted to Rs Rs.1, 05,00,000, which was entirely derived from the voluntary subscriptions of the public of Kolkata.
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Timing
The Victoria Memorial Hall is open to the public throughout the year from 10:00am to 5:00pm, however the sales of ticket closes half an hour prior to the closing time of the museum.
The museum is closed to the visitors on every Monday and on holidays like Republic Day (26th January), Holi, Independence Day (15th August), Id-ul-Fitr, Gandhiji's Birthday, Dussehra, Christmas (25th December).
Victoria Memorial Garden is open to the public throughout the year from 5:30am to 7:00pm, however sales of ticket closes at 6:45pm.
Don’t miss the Light and Sound show titled ‘Pride and Glory – the Story of Calcutta, which the Victoria Memorial Hall organises as a permanent special event. The show is held both in English and Bengali and the show timings are 6:15pm to 7:00pm between October and February in Bengali and the 7:15pm to 8:00pm in English. The timings for show between March and June are 6:45pm to 7:30pm in Bengali and 7:45pm to 8:30pm in English.
There are no shows on Mondays, national holidays and Holi and between July to September.
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Travel Tools
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