Dec 22, 2011 07:34 PM
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(Updated Dec 22, 2011 07:36 PM)
I am residing in West Bengal for almost five years and been to Kolkata many times. But recently when I visited Kolkata with my mother, wife and brother; I decided to visit Science City just to pass few hours but was amazed to see the place and spent almost 5 hours without a single boring moment. So, I thought of discussing this amazing place with you all.
Location and Reachability
The science city is located at JBS Haldane Avenue at the crossing of EM Bypass and Park Circus Road (nearby landmark is Ruby Hospital). There are easily available public transport- taxis as well as buses- to this location.
The centre is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., every day of the year except Holi. You can get further information on its website http://www.sciencecitykolkata.org.in.
The Science City
Science City is the largest science centre in the sub-continent under National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Ministry of Culture and is started in 1st July 1997. It consists of two buildings - the Science Centre and the Convention Centre.
The Science Centre has Space Odyssey, Dynamotion Hall, Evolution Theme Park, Maritime Centre and a Science Park. The convention centre has a theatre, mini auditorium and a seminar building.
The Space Odyssey has Film Theatre, Time Machine, Mirror Magic, 3-D Theatre and exhibitions related to space science, motion, electricity and virtual reality. The Dynamotion Hall has a Butterfly Corner, Aquaria, robotic insects and lots of interactive exhibits on science & technology.
Places of attraction
Some of the major sections of science city are as follows:
1. Dynamotion Hall- It is practical experience of science theories like wave motion, sound waves, gravity etc that you have mugged up in your younger age. There are lots of interactive exhibits on science & technology for both education and entertainment of the visitors.
2. Power of Ten- An innovative exhibit that tries to explain the power of ten with live examples in the form of photographs. It is must to experience how a zero can change the size of universe.
3. Aquarium- It is just like any other aquarium but good to see it in science city.
4. Butterfly Enclave- I have noticed this type of enclave for the first time in my life where you can observe live butterflies in real-like surrounding.
5. Illusions- It is an interactive exhibit displaying the effects of motion and placement on our visual perception.
6. Mirror magic- You might have seen many mirror magic in local fair but it is an upgraded and modified version of all that. It is really fun to see what a simple mirror and its reflection power can do for our entertainment. There is a mirror maze also which is quite interesting.
7. Time machine- It is basically a machine which will make you travel in time but actually it is not a time travelling but a synchronisation between motion and visuals. It is a fully closed chamber controlled by hydraulic motion control system with a screen in front and provides virtual experience of space flight or journey into unknown world. It is not recommended for heart patients and people suffering from dizziness etc.
8. 3D Vision Theatre- It is a small theatre with limited seating capacity of almost 30 people. It shows a 3D film of 15mins duration. But I assure you that I have seen some of the best 3D effects at the most affordable price. There is a long queue on holidays and weekends so be prepared to wait for around 1hour to get in.
9. Evolution Theme Park- It is a theme park depicting the evolution of animals especially the extinct species. I have seen many models of dinosaurs in many museums but here was unique with moving limbs and roaring sound effects. It is really fun to move through it in dim light with real like effects.
10. Science Park- It is an open-air park with many interactive exhibits on science. It comprises Caterpillar Ride, Gravity Coaster, Musical Fountain, Road Train, Cable Cars, Monorail Cycle, butterfly nursery and many other exhibits on physical and life sciences. It also has a beautiful garden maze.
11. Earth Exploration Hall- It is an exhibition of earth housed in two-storied building, one floor depicting northern hemisphere and the other one depicting southern hemisphere. Important features like geography; lands & people of both hemispheres are displayed using attractive visuals, interactive multimedia, video walls, and panoramic videos etc.
12. Space Theatre- It is like any other theatre that shows movies related to some or other aspect of science. It is a time consuming activity so you can even avoid it.
Facilities
Filtered drinking water is available inside the premises.
There are south & north Indian restaurants where you can have lunch. The prices are on bit higher side considering the quality.
There are few fast food kiosks where you can have tea, coffee, cold drinks, patties etc.
Toilets are located in science centre and Evolution Park.
Ticket Rates & concessions
Entry fee- Rs.25 per person
Space Theatre- Rs.50 per person
Evolution Park- Rs.10 per person
Time Machine- Rs.10 per person
3D Theatre- Rs.20 per person
Monorail- Rs.10 per person
Road Train- Rs.10 per person
Cable Car- Rs.25 per person
Caterpillar- Rs.5 per person
Gravity Coaster- Rs.25 per person
Concessions for organised group (20 members or more)- Entry fee, Cable car ticket and Space Theatre is Rs.20, Rs.20 and Rs.40 respectively per person
Concessions for organised school group- Entry fee, space theatre, 3D theatre and cable car is Rs.10, Rs.20, Rs.10 and Rs.15 respectively per person.
Concession for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families- Entry fee is Rs.10 per person.
Things not to be missed
If you have never experienced cable car journey, it’s the right place to do so. Enter the science city complex using rope way near the main entrance.
Click photos in mirror magic area where you will get innovative pictures.
Don’t miss the 3D show there.
Have a look on beautiful maze garden in Science Park. It looks best from the cable car.
Just sit outside the evolution park and enjoy the musical fountain.
Recommendations
This amazing place is very well conceptualised and created that it takes at least 5-7 hours to be completely satisfied by it attractions and offerings. It is recommended for people of all age groups especially children, to explore the world of science and technology in a better and interactive way.
Science city is one place where you will love the science happening around you and you will surely love to get lost in cycle of evolution with roaring dinosaurs, mammoths, and many other Jurassic life size creatures with moving limbs. And the best part is that you can enjoy the whole journey in less than Rs.200 per head. So place it at the top when you are in Kolkata next time.
