Weather: N.A.
Timings: 12:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Time Required: 2-3 hrs
Entry Fee: INR 40
Overview Of Birla Planetarium in Kolkata
The Birla Planetarium is the second-largest planetarium in the world and is located on the renowned Chowringhee Road, close to the Victoria Memorial and St. Paul’s Cathedral. On July 2, 1963, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru built the magnificent Birla Planetarium in Kolkata, the city of joy. One of India’s three planetariums, this one. The Birla Planetarium, also known as Taramandal, regularly hosts a variety of shows and programs in Hindi, English, Bengali, and other regional languages. Birla Planetarium is a planetarium as well as having an electronics lab and an astronomy gallery with a selection of artwork and model astronomies.
An exciting way to pique your interest in science and the motion of the planets is to pay a visit to the Birla Planetarium. People travel from all over the world, especially astronomy enthusiasts, to see the incredible shows put on here. Here, you can take a tour of the planets and learn interesting facts about them and the other fascinating celestial bodies that exist in our universe. The fact that the audience is silent throughout the performance speaks volumes about the mesmerizing power of these performances. The hallway has pictures of well-known astronauts and other celestial bodies on display. Following the show, one can take a look at them.
Show Timings At Birla Planetarium
For visitors, a variety of entertaining and educational shows are presented at the following times:-
1:30 pm and 6:30 pm in English
In Hindi: 12:30, 2:30, and 4:30
3:30 and 5:30 in Bengali.
Additionally, there are additional performances scheduled for Sundays and other holidays at 10:30 AM (Hindi) and 11:30 AM (Bengali)
How To Reach Birla Planetarium
The planetarium is conveniently reachable by cab through VIP road and is situated approximately 18 km from the airport. It is just 5 kilometers from the train station and is easily accessible by taxi via Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Marg.
History Of Birla Planetarium
The Birla Planetarium was established in September 1962, and Pandit J. L. Nehru, the Indian Prime Minister at the time, formally opened the building in July 1963. It was the second planetarium to be established in a Commonwealth nation and the first in India, making it a significant advancement in the fields of education, research, and the development of a scientific temperament. Shows like “Zodiac Signs and stars” which focus on the different constellations in the sky, “Journey to Antarctica,” and “New View of the Solar System” are presented here on a regular basis and offer a delightful blend of knowledge and stellar visuals.
The Architecture Of The Birla Planetarium
The architecture of the Birla Planetarium is undoubtedly one of its interesting features. The Birla Planetarium’s architecture is in the Sanchi Stupa style, which is quite recognizable even from a distance. The Birla Planetarium’s zenith is adorned with a magnificent dome that glistens brilliantly in white light. With a 23-meter diameter, the dome has room for up to 688 people. The Carl Zeiss planetarium projector that is already on the premises perfectly enhances the stunning visuals of the various shows. One could easily compare it to a miniature Colosseum due to the placement of columns around its perimeter. A charming grace is added by the planetarium complex’s well-kept gardens.
