Victoria Memorial Kolkata is one of the finest British made architecture in India. as the name suggests is a memorial built in honour of Queen Victoria. Since its creation, the structure has become an icon for the city of Kolkata.
It was Lord Curzon, the then viceroy of India who suggested building this grand structure. The museum was formally opened in the year 1921. William Emerson was the chief architect of Victoria Memorial. The building was created in an Indo-Saracenic architectural style.
Visit to Victoria Memorial
I have visited the Memorial many times, however, this time, I am able to share visuals of the inside, as the authorities have now allowed photography inside the memorial.
Ticket Information
There is a ticket counter at both the entrances.
The Victoria Memorial has separate tickets for the museum and the garden.
For the Museum Galleries:
If you’re an Indian national, the ticket costs Rs 50 per person.
For nationals of SAARC countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, the ticket costs Rs 100 per person (you’ll need to show your passport).
Foreign nationals will need to pay Rs 500 per person.
For the Garden:
A daily ticket for the garden costs Rs 30 per person (for one entry).
If you’re a senior citizen above 60 years, you can get an annual garden entry pass for Rs 1,000.
For everyone else, the annual garden entry pass is Rs 2,000 per person.
Victoria Memorial Timings
The Victoria Memorial is open to visitors every day from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
The galleries remain closed on Mondays and certain National Holidays.
The garden is open daily from 5:30 AM to 6:00 PM, offering a serene environment to enjoy, with ticket prices separate from those for the museum.
Entrance to Victoria Memorial Kolkata
One of the entrances to the Victoria Memorial is on Queens Way, and the other is on AJC Bose Road.
Entering through the North Queens Way Gate, the first thing you will notice are two lions sitting on either side of the gate, in a seated posture as if guarding the majestic architecture. Once inside, you will see a small garden in the center, which is not open for entry.
As you walk beside the garden, you will come across the statue of Queen Victoria, seated in front of the memorial hall. Approaching the front facade of the building, you can spot allegorical statues of Motherhood, Learning, and Prudence above the entrance. You will also notice the royal coat of arms set above the arched entrance
On entering through the south side of Victoria Memorial, you will see the same garden and a statue of King Edward VII. Both the entrance has a well-paved road towards the building.
Inside the Memorial
The marvelous building is a beautiful museum too. With a huge collection of paintings, photographs, coins, manuscript, Arms and Armory and many more items related to the history of Kolkata and Bengal. As per the website, there are 28,394 artefacts, 3,900 paintings.
There are guides available and also, they offer free guided tours during specific hours.
The entire building is divided into several galleries.
The Royal Gallery
The Calcutta Gallery
Durbar Hall Gallery
Entrance Hall Gallery
Portrait Gallery
Queens Hall Gallery
The Royal Gallery has some beautiful paintings of the Royal families Queen Victoria, Prince of Wales (Edward VII) and other historic pieces used by Queen Victoria.
The Calcutta Gallery as the name suggest depicts the history of the city from Job Charnock to the time it was the Capital i.e. 1911.
Durbar Hall consists of British and Indian paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries. The entrance hall displays facts and history of the creation of this magnificent architecture, which includes its history of construction and knowledge about its origin.
On entering the Central Hall or Central Gallery you can see a marble statue of Queen Victoria. The statue is located in the centre perfectly below the main dome.
On climbing to the upper section of the building, you can see twelve canvas paintings by Frank Salisbury, covering the entire main dome. The painting shows the important events in the life of Her Majesty Queen Victoria.
The Garden
The Garden of the memorial was beautifully designed on a total area of 57 acres with the building covering an area of 338sq.ft by 228 sq. ft. Most people visit the garden.
Victoria Memorial is surrounded by a beautiful and well-maintained garden with 4 lakes around it. The Garden has paved to walk around and gives a great view of the Chowringhee. Many visitors come to Victoria Memorial’s Garden to enjoy their evening. Most of the part is occupied by couples.
Victoria Memorial Kolkata Light and Sound Show Timings
The Victoria Memorial Light and Sound Show is a popular attraction, with different timings based on the season and language.
From October to February:
Bengali version: 6:15 PM to 7:00 PM
English version: 7:15 PM to 8:00 PM
From March to June:
Bengali version: 6:45 PM to 7:30 PM
English version: 7:45 PM to 8:30 PM
These shows offer a captivating experience of light, sound, and storytelling, highlighting the history of the Memorial and Kolkata.
Summing Up
Victoria Memorial in Kolkata has always been my favourite place, however, this was the first time I entered inside this architectural masterpiece, and I was truly awed by seeing this iconic structure.
Of course, this is just my personal experience, in my own words, and it may not impress you. Nevertheless, I would say that some experiences can only be fully appreciated by being there, and Victoria Memorial in Kolkata is certainly one of them.
Prosenjit Banerjee is a digital marketer. He likes exploring new places and enjoys pursuing hobbies of photography, vlogging and blogging. When it comes to entertainment, he prefers watching sitcoms, watching movies of the rom-com, sci-fi, fantasy genres. He is also an avid fan of soccer end enjoys playing it on his play station.
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