Its inhabitants are the Bengalis, emotional and artistic people who have been called the Irish of India. They were among the first to react to the intellectual and political stimulus of the West. Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a great liberal thinker. The freedom of Kolkata has a heady influence on creative artists. This city produces some of the most articulate writers in all India, stimulating theater and fantastic movies. Two of its sons, Ramakrishna and his disciple, Vivekananda, have spread Indian philosophy to the Western world. These Bengalis, followed by the literary Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore, were the first Indians to blend their ancient culture with the Humanism of Europe. But other Bengalis expressed themselves in actions as well as words. In the early days of nationalism it was the home of freedom fighters. That is why the British moved their capital from Calcutta to the relative calm of Delhi in 1911 AD.
Several festivals are celebrated in Kolkata. Durga Puja is the most gaily celebrated festival. Goddess Kali is propitiated during Durga Puja, held during September / October. Goddess Kali is one of the incarnations of Goddess Durga. It continues for holy nine days, called Shardiya Navaratri. Hardly a day passes without a ceremony at a temple or shrine during Durga Puja. Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity, is made welcome by all households during Diwali (October / November) with small, twinkling oil lamps. At Belur Math, the Ramakrishna Mission observes during February / March the Utsav while all of Kolkata's population is drawn into celebrating the Bengali New Year, the Baisakh, (April / May). Because most festivals are held in accordance with the Indian calendar, it is advisable to confirm exact dates locally.
There are a large number of tourist attractions in Kolkata. Since there are many significant places to visit in Kolkata, therefore, those who are willing to spend a few days in Kolkata can see the city part by part. They can begin with the places in central Kolkata: Chowringhee, the meadow or the Maidan opposite it with Shahid Minar (Ochterlony Monument), Raj Bhavan, Assembly, High Court, Town Hall, St. John's Church, Writers' Building, St. Andrew's Church, Old Mission Church, New Market, Indian Museum, Asiatic Society, Planetarium, St. Paul's Cathedral, Victoria Memorial, Race Course, Fort William and Eden Gardens. North Kolkata can be explored next --with the Portuguese Cathedral, Synagogue, Parsi Fire Temple, Armenian Church, Tagore House, Marble Palace, the University of Kolkata, Jain Temple and Bose Research Institute. The Howrah Bridge near the Howrah Railway Station too is situated in this part and, if one has not travelled by train, one ought to make a trip to see it. South Kolkata is no less interesting with its Zoological Gardens, National Library, Agri-Horticultural Gardens, Hastings’ House, the ancient Temple of Kali, Greek Church and Ravindra Sarovar. Depending upon time allocated for Kolkata sightseeing, one may select places as per one’s own interest.