In my earlier post, I had mentioned that Kolkata (Calcutta) has two landmarks which are synonymous with the city. Howrah Bridge and of course, Victoria Memorial.
For a city which was created during the British Raj, it is not surprising that both its landmarks are British creations. Personally, I consider Howrah Bridge to be the signature for my city. It may be in part because that was the structure I saw first when I came to Calcutta for the first time, as a very small kid. When my mom told me that we would be going over that bridge, I wondered and worried, how on earth are we gonna get on top of those steel structures! In my defense, I was 5 years old. 🙂
I digress.
To get back to Victoria Memorial, it was built, as the name suggests, in memory of Queen Victoria. In 1901, at the death of the Queen, the then Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon suggested the creation of the Memorial. The Memorial was finally opened in 1921.
Designed by the British architect, William Emerson, the building is made with white Makrana marble, like the Taj Mahal. And, it does not need a rocket scientist to figure out the similarity in design of the two structures. I guess, it is sort of poor man’s Taj Mahal. 🙂
But, there’s no denying that it is a beautiful structure, and I enjoy going there for an occasional walk.
I have shared three shots of the building, taken from, essentially the same place, early in the morning. Do let me know which one you like the most.
This post is also in response to this week’s photo challenge: Three
Know-All's Box 
I’m torn between the middle one and the last one. Don’t get me wrong – all three are gorgeous shots! But the last two have a more dream-like quality to them.
Hey Cathy! Thank you so much for giving your honest opinion! And the day I take criticism as “wrong”…well, that’s the day I stop learning! 🙂 🙂
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The views of the Victoria Memorial shot so beautifully are very inspiring!! I almost feel I could use the shots to make a painting! 🙂
Thank you Snowflake!! And I am looking forward to that painting…and yes, I don’t like waiting! So, make it quick! 😀
Haha!! 😀
The Taj Mahal is the symbol of love. Queen Victoria is just a symbol of an era. I prefer the Taj Mahal, but I never had the opportunity to look at. And what are the colored lines in image?
I agree, Marie! I have had the privilege of seeing both structures…and the grandeur of the Taj is in a different league of its own! About the lines, honestly, only after you mentioned it, did I notice them, after enlarging the image..Maybe my monitor is not that good…I can see them only in the second image…Is it the same for you? I don’t really know what they are! 😦
This is a problem of quality. How do you save the images in your camera? Just a JPEG? Let use NEF too with the maximal megapixel! And after to edit let save JPEG high quality (12) or PNG (normal) format. Try it! Maybe even is another problem: the vapor, fog etc. Unfortunately, I’ve also experienced on my pictures.
hmmm…actually i always shoot in RAW, and then convert to jpeg, as you suggested…it might be the fog and smog( Calcutta is quite polluted)… 😦
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If it would be a postcard I would go for the first one…
If it would be an advertisement for a ‘British tea brand’ I’d take the second one.
The light in the third one is really nice. You zoomed in…for some reason I would like this one in a squire frame and skip 1/4th from the Left side. I wonder, which one do you like best?
It’s a pleasure to see al these wonderful views of where you live!
Nice!
Thank you Belinda! as usual…you have provided a perspective I would never have thought of! I will try the cropping in the 3rd image as you suggest..have never tried square frame before…wish I could show the result to you!
If you ask me…I liked the first one most, because of the different hues of the sky…which looked nice to me..of course my lightroom processing skills are very ordinary…it could have been done much better, i think. Thanks again for your advice! 🙂
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Reblogged this on Oyia Brown.
Thanks a lot for the re-blog! 🙂
I do prefer the first one, it’s the light that is in appeals to me the most of the three.
I am with you on that one! I like the color of the sky, which makes it interesting, i feel! Thank you for your opinion! 🙂
Certainly, I am full of opinions 🙂
😀
Not such a poor man’s methinks. MM 🍀
hahaha…touche! And you are right too, my meticulous friend! 🙂
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Beautiful building and it looks very nice with the reflections in the water.
My favourite is the first one because it has the best composition. In the second photo, the building is too much centred and in the third photo it should have been more air (well, technically speaking more water) below the reflection.
I also like the colours in the first photo best, but that’s just a matter of taste. The monochrome one is also very appropriate.
Thank you CG! My opinion is also more or less on same lines…though I do want to try out Belinda’s suggestion on the third shot…I enjoy trying different stuff with same buildings..to try and see if I can sneak in a fresh perspective! 🙂
I like the composition of the first one and the warm tones of the second : )
Thank you Angelina! Even i prefer the first one…thanks for sharing your feedback! 🙂
I have visited Taj Mahal several times – but every time I feel awed by the sheer size. You don’t get that feeling in Victoria Memorial.
BTW: When I was a kid I used to think that the name is “Victorial Memorial”
haha…victorial!! i like that name! 🙂 And I agree with your point on the awe-inspiring feeling of the Taj..Even I never get that with Victorial..i mean Victoria! 🙂
Beautiful pictures
Thank you Swati Di! 🙂
Oh that’s cute, that you thought you’d be going over the highest bit 🙂 . The way kids think before they know how stuff works!
hehe…i was 5 at that time…some people are of the opinion…i stopped ageing ever since! 😀
🙂
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They are all beautiful, as is the memorial. I like the second one best because it has a vintage surreal feeling. Breathtaking! 🙂
Thank you thank you 🙂 Glad that you like them! 🙂
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So happy to have come across your blog! Im heading to India in a few days and I thought I’d ask you this question: To the Taj Mahal or not to the Taj Mahal? {bear in mind overrun tourist hotspots make me sad}
Hmmm..well…usually for people visiting India, the famous triangle of Agra, Delhi and Jaipur is very popular…and if you ask me, the Taj is indeed quite an awe-inspiring sight…but, you cannot avoid the tourists…in the second most populous country in world, can you? 😀 How long are you guys planning to stay in India? Remember, India is many countries in one country..but, I am sure you would have done your research! 🙂
Wonderful photographs – love how you gave captured the reflections!
Thanks a lot wisemonkeys!! 😀 Real glad that you like the shots! 🙂
*oops typo: gave = have
Looks elegant 🙂 great light…
Thank you! 🙂
I agree with CG :D. You have problems with sensor dust too 😦 What a bugger!
Sigh! I know!! Others have also pointed out the dust problem…as you said….what a bugger! 😦 🙂