The Victoria Memorial is a large marble building that is considered to be the pride of Kolkata. Built between 1906 and 1921, it is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria. Now, it is a museum and a popular tourist spot under the Ministry of Culture.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. Victorial Memorial is also known as “Premer Jaiga” in Kolkata! Many couples like to spend time in Victoria. It is a very nostalgic place. Victoria Memorial is an iconic structure that is synonymous with the city of joy! Near Victoria Memorial, there are many famous restaurants for food, like Aromas, Chowman Calcutta Club, Calcutta Coffee House, etc. If you want to taste street food, then opposite Victoria Memorial there is a Fhuchka stall, which is too pricey, but for taste, it was too good. There is also a paprichat stall, whose price is – 50₹, and bhelpuri alsoo, which is another level of “gazab” ka taste.
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 marvellous, especially at night when it is illuminated. The sound and light show that take place in the evening.The reason behind the building of a monument of this grand scale is indeed an interesting one. This stunning creation is the brainchild of Lord Curzon and was created to commemorate the twenty-fifth-year reign of the Queen over India.
The Queen had become the figurehead of India after the Revolt of 1857 and successfully ruled over the country until her death in 1901. Lord Curzon wanted that the monument that would be dedicated to her should be stately, spacious, and large, with a beautiful garden. In fact, the funds for the construction of the Victoria Memorial were raised by the people of India. A sum of 5 lakh rupees was raised, and the result is this awe-striking monument that is a literal feast for the eyes. King George V and the Prince of Whales laid down the foundation stone for the memorial in 1906, and the memorial was finally opened to the general public in 1921. The chief architect of the Victoria Memorial is William Emerson, the president of the Royal Institute of British Architects. He has tastefully lent an Indo-Saracenic style of architecture to the monument while drawing inspiration from Egyptian, Venetian, Mughal, and other Islamic styles at the same time. The 184-foot-high building is constructed with Makrana marble of white colour that was brought all the way from Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The vast gardens that surround the monument and are spread over a sprawling 64 acres were designed by botanists Sir David Prain and Lord Redesdale.
