Victoria Memorial
Another relic of the British Raj in India, the Victoria Memorial is located in the heart of Kolkata, in West Bengal. This white-marbled opulent structure was built in memory of Queen Victoria to celebrate her 25 years of rule over India and is almost a replica of the Victoria Memorial in London. Victoria Memorial is an iconic structure that is synonymous with the city of joy!
The memorial is surrounded by a lush green and well-maintained garden, which spreads over 64 acres and has numerous statues and sculptures in it. A sixteen-foot tall bronze statue of victory, mounted on ball bearings at the top of the memorial, serves to heighten the overall appeal and grandeur of the entire complex. Victoria Memorial is breathtaking and marvelous, especially at night, when it is illuminated. The Sound and Light show that takes place in the evening is an added delight and a must-watch. All in all, the place is a must-visit for people to wish to relive the essence of the Victorian era in the modern-day world.
History of Victoria Memorial
The Victoria Memorial, one of the top historical places in Kolkata, is the brainchild of Lord Curzon, a Viceroy of India. When Queen Victoria, who was the Empress of British India, died in January 1901, Curzon suggested building a grand memorial to honor her. He proposed the memorial to be a stately edifice with a museum where visitors get a glimpse of the marvels of the past. The foundation for the memorial was laid on 4 January 1906 by the Prince of Wales, who later became King George V. The building was formally inaugurated and opened for public visits in 1921. Later, additions were made to the memorial after India gained independence.
Architecture of Victoria Memorial
The Victoria Memorial features an Indo-Saracenic revivalist architectural style that displays a blend of Mughal and British elements along with Egyptian, Islamic, Venetian, and Deccani elements. Made of white Markana marble, the edifice has dimensions of 103 meters by 69 meters and reaches up to a height of 56 meters.
In terms of design, Victoria Memorial draws inspiration from the Taj Mahal. It has a main central dome, four smaller domes, high portals, domed chhatris of octagonal shape, domed towers at the corners, and a terrace. The Angel of Victory, a 16-foot-tall figure, stands on top of the central dome. You can find several allegorical sculptures surrounding the central dome, including Charity, Justice, Art, and Architecture. The North Porch has allegorical sculptures of Prudence, Motherhood, and Learning.
Victoria Memorial Light & Sound Show
Victoria Memorial holds a light and sound show called as Son-et-Lumiere from October to June. This interesting show does not showcase Mondays, the Holi festival, or national holidays and also remains closed from July to September.
Tickets: INR 10 (Bengali), INR 20 (English)
Timings:
October - February: 6:15 PM - 7:00 PM (Bengali), 7:15 PM - 8:00 PM (English)
March - June: 6:45 PM - 7:30 PM (Bengali), 7:45 PM - 8:30 PM (English)
