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The stunning Rabindra Setu which connects Kolkata to Howrah has today turn out to be an icon of Bengal's history, culture, and tourist fascinations. Generally known as the Howrah Bridge, it was constructed in 1946 and to date, sees an enormous amount of traffic daily.

Howrah Bridge or Rabindra Setu is one of the defining monuments of Kolkata and the pride of its residents. It is undoubtedly the best-known cantilever bridge in India and one of the most recognizable. Even though most of us have heard of this famous bridge and many even use it to commute regularly, people know very little about its history.

Best time to Visit:

You can visit Kolkata any time to see the charm of Rabindra Setu or Howrah Bridge. However, the best time is in autumn and winter months that is between October and February. The weather is impeccable at that time and the festivities are on the peak during this period. This is the season that witnesses the copious arrival of travelers, especially during Durga Puja.

History of Rabindra Setu:

Although construction of the Howrah Bridge only started in the 20th century, the origins of the structure can be traced back to 1871. This was when the Government of Bengal took the first influential steps to construct a permanent crossing, with the passage of the Howrah Bridge Act. The act was amended in 1935 to facilitate the construction of the new structure.

Construction of Howrah Bridge took 6 years, starting in 1936. The architects used a cantilever suspension design, in which large beams are supported at one end while projecting horizontally at the other. The bridge was finally opened to the public a year after its completion, in 1943.

Interesting facts about Rabindra Setu Kolkata,

1. third-longest cantilever bridge at the time of its construction

2. Now the sixth-longest one of such types of bridges all over the world.

3. It got its name Rabindra Setu on June 14, 1965, after the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

4. It is spread over the Hooghly River around 1500 ft. with a width of 71 ft.

5. One of the most amazing facts is it was built without a single nut or bolt and held together by fasteners.

6. It has a total of 8 lanes of roads for bicycles and pedestrians.

7. It looks like a long glowing necklace at the night time.

8. It is known as one of the busiest cantilever bridge in the world.

9. Even a movie in Bollywood in the 90s was created on its second name as Howrah Bridge, due to its ravishing fame.

10. Tata Steels supplied around 23000 tons of steel in its construction, hence joined the legacy.

11. The first transport to make a journey across the Hooghly river was not car or bullock cart, but a tram. However, the heavy loads on the Rabindra Setup due to trams lead to their prohibition.

If you are planning to move to Kolkata or just want to visit it once, these amazing facts could give of great use. You would appreciate this ace creation of human engineering.

Things to do in Kolkata

City of Joy, Kolkata has retained its vintage charm and old-world charisma through the years in the best way possible. But it is still known as one of the most developed cities in the country. Not just Rabindra Setu, you have many more places to visit and enjoy.

These places offer innumerable things to do in Kolkata.

These exciting things to do in Kolkata are

• Ride the graceful trams,

• Shop in the local markets

• Taste the local cuisines.

• Enjoy the culture

• Indulged in the sacred environment at temples

Tourists attractions in Kolkata other than Rabindra Setu

1. Salt Lake City: This is a planned satellite township in Kolkata known for its stadium capable to host many international sporting events.

2. College Street: it is one of the most acknowledged places in Kolkata as it has several famous colleges such as Presidency College, Calcutta Medical College and much more.

3. Birla Planetarium: This is one of the largest planetariums in the world.

4. Millennium Park is situated on the eastern side of River Hooghly and comprises of landscaped gardens and amusement parks.

5. Alipore Zoological Gardens: India's ancient zoological park and is a great tourist attraction in Kolkata.

6. Victoria memorial: This huge white marble building that resembles the Taj Mahal to some extent was named to commemorate Queen Victoria.

7. Indian Museum: This is the biggest and oldest museum of India, containing six sections for Art, Geology, Archaeology, Zoology, Economic Botany and Anthropology.

8. Eden Gardens: this is the historical cricket ground of Kolkata.

9. Science City - This is the biggest science hub of India, planned by the National Council of Science Museums.

Tips for Visiting:

• Search online for various tour planner

• Put your demands in front of them

• Ask for a customized packaging

• Compare prices of every package to Kolkata

• Join only a reliable tour and travel operators

• Read the reviews of a Kolkata tour package before finalizing.