The largest and the oldest planetarium in Asia, the Birla Planetarium is one of the most popular crowd pullers of Kolkata. The single storey circular structure is inspired by the Great Stupa at Sanchi. Inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru, the planetarium was thrown open to the public in 1963 and is locally known as Taramandal.

The astronomical observatory of the planetarium is well equipped with a wide range of telescopes and accessories such as cameras and solar filters. The highly sophisticated equipment gives you a clear vision of space. Daily shows are hosted with hordes of visitors getting enlightened about the vast universe, solar systems, and the galaxies. The shows also touch upon several facts pertaining to astrophysics and astronomy, and a host of myths associated with planets and stars. The Planetarium offers an M.Phil Degree Course, a Post-Graduate Diploma course and free evening course in astronomy. The planetarium can be reached easily from the Maidan Metro Station.