National Library

Kolkata (Calcutta)


Located directly south of the entrance to the zoo is the (private) access road to the National Library, which houses India’s biggest archival collection of books and journals. Only members are allowed access into its hallowed portals to access reference material, but you are free to admire the beauty of the former viceroy's residential estate from outside.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kolkata (Calcutta) attractions

1. Curzon Mansion

0.12 MILES

Directly south of the zoo's entrance, the access road to the National Library loops around the very regal Curzon Mansion, once the colonial viceroy's…

2. Horticultural Gardens

0.27 MILES

A hidden island of tranquillity in the heart of Kolkata, this delightful garden complex offers visitors an opportunity to acquaint themselves with…

3. Alipore Zoo

0.32 MILES

Kolkata’s 16-hectare zoo opened its doors in 1875 as one of British India's showpiece zoological gardens, but has gradually dropped in stature and…

4. Kalighat Idol-makers

0.73 MILES

There's a fascinating group of idol-makers' workshops where Kalighat Rd curves north from Hazra Rd. Figurines sculpted here are much smaller than those in…

5. VM South Gate

0.9 MILES

Day-time entry tickets to the park and Victoria Memorial museum are sold here, but there's no access to the sound and light show.

6. Nirmal Hriday

0.92 MILES

Mother (St) Teresa’s famous (if surprisingly small) home for the dying was originally based out of this Kalighat pilgrim hostel. Its roof corners are…

7. Kalighat Temple

0.97 MILES

This ancient Kali temple is Kolkata’s holiest spot for Hindus, and possibly the source of the city’s name. Today’s version is the 1809 rebuild, with…

8. Ahuja Museum for Arts

1.08 MILES

More a private gallery than a museum, this smallish place has changing exhibitions that mostly feature excellent 21st-century works by Bengali artists, as…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "india/kolkata-calcutta/attractions/national-library/a/poi-sig/1033865/356356",
      "destination": "Kolkata-(Calcutta)",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "India",
      "city": "Kolkata-(Calcutta)",
      "position": "superzone"
    }