My trip to Kolkata was an express trip. I had 12 hours to see everything in the city and I wanted to “see” everything. I was received at the airport by my guide and driver, and we quickly laid out the plan for the day. Kolkata is divided in three parts, North, Central and South. The airport is towards the North of the city, so we planned to first explore North Kolkata.
First stop on my Kolkata tour was the beautiful Jain temples. The temple complex is very “international”. It has tiles and sculptures from all around the world. The main temple is made up of beautiful plain and coloured glass work and mirrors. It is a sight for the eyes and very well maintained. The temple was made in 1867 and is still maintained by the family of the founder. Inside the temple are beautiful Chandelier from the Bahamas, Cuba, and Belgium. The temple complex is surrounded by two other Jain temples.
There is a lamp inside the main temple, which burns with ghee. The lamp has been burning since the initiation of the temple in 1867. Photography inside the temple is not allowed so you must visit it to see how stunning it for yourself.
The next stop on my Kolkata exploration was Kumortuli, a traditional potters’ village in northern Kolkata. It is an amazing destination in old Kolkata and a definite “must visit”. As you walk into the narrow lane of the colony you witness the daily routine of the private and professional life of the residents.
In Kolkata, idols are made of hay and mud which after a religious ceremony are immersed in the river Ganga. Kumortuli is home to craftsman who make such idols. The idols are made in different steps and for each step, there are different craftsmen specialising in that one element. I have never believed in idol worship, but it was a fantastic experience for me to witness the fine craftsmanship of the potters of Kumortuli – Kolkata’s very own potters’ village.
In Hindu mythology, Durga is the Goddess of feminist power, strength, and protection. Durga means the one who eliminates suffering. Her legend is that she defeated the demons of evil. Durga Puja is celebrating every year to rejoice the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon king Mahishasura.
I visited Kolkata on an auspicious day and most businesses and homes were preparing for a pooja in the early hours of the morning. Homes and shops were decorated with beautiful decorations made of Sholapith (also known as the Indian cork). The delicate flower decorations and idol imitations were a treat for the eye.
Right outside Kumortuli, I witnessed the charm of the old rustic, ageing buildings of North Kolkata, the famous Kolkata tram line and Kolkata’s famous Hand-pulled rickshaws in action.
Other places to see in North Kolkata are: Marble palace– A privately owned palace with a beautiful collection of artefacts from around the world; Rabindranath Tagore’s home. This is now a university and museum. The famous poet lived and died here; Nakhoda mosque, which is the oldest and biggest mosque of Kolkata.
Kolkata is home to India’s first and oldest schools and university. College street in central Kolkata is lined with bookshops where you can buy and sell new and used books. Calcutta University, which is the oldest university of India in also located here.
College Street is also home to the famous Indian Coffee House. Indian Coffee House is a “must stop” in the city of joy … it is old and rustic and takes you back in time. The menu is very reasonable, and the coffee is great. I also tried the Singara, which is the Bengali name for a Samosa. You must visit the coffee house for its old charm. The interiors of the coffee house take you back in time. It is very basic and not even close to sophistication but if you don’t stop here for a cup of hot coffee you will miss something.
The Flower Market of Kolkata was undoubtedly the most thrilling part of my day. If there is only one place in Kolkata which you can visit, then it should be this. As you walk across the footbridge, over the rustic railway tracks, you cross a line of flower vendors, squatting on the road with their basket of flowers. It is easy to believe that this is the flower market, but not just yet.
Over the bridge and beside the Ganga River is home to the breathtaking Kolkata Flower market. The colours are a treat for the eye and so is the aroma from the flowers. Each section is dedicated to a particular variety of flower. There are flowers everywhere and in thousands. The flower market is very crowded, and you must swiftly move. There was absolutely no time to stop and admire without having a few people bump into you. Porters carrying heavy flower baskets on their head, like to keep moving without interruption. The ground is muddy and slippery- I would recommend wearing comfortable shoes when you visit. I wore slippers and came out with black feet!!
The famous Howrah bridge located right beside the flower market. I got a good view of the bridge from the river side and had an opportunity to walk over the bridge. The bridge has a separate pedestrian walkway which is lined with vendors selling, cool drinks and street snacks. By the time I reached the flower market, it was already noon, and the sun was shining with all its glory. It was hot and humid. By the river side, you will see locals resting and taking a break from their work for their afternoon snack. Some people were taking a dip in the river as well.
It was now 12 noon; the traditional blue buses and yellow taxis criss-crossed the busy roads of the city. As the sun was shining in all its glory, in true Kolkata style the locals had their umbrellas out to guard them against the scorching sun. The umbrella is one thing I would recommend you pack on your trip to Kolkata.
After the exhaling with to the flower market and Howrah Bridge, we drove towards Dalhousie Square, lined with a number of colonial buildings including the Currency Office, Police Headquarters, Writers Building, Raj Bhavan- Governor’s house. The General Post Office was originally the first Fort William. It is a stunning building and a total treat for the eye. The charm of the General Post Office is closely followed by the Customs House which is a stunning red colour building and is symbolic of the British era.
After a quick drive around Dalhousie Square, we visited the St. John’s Church, this was the first public building made by the East India Company. The Church is built with stones and is surrounded by large lawns. The church complex also has the Blackhole monument and the Tomb of Job Charnock.
We then continued our drive towards south Kolkata. As we drove past Eden Garden cricket stadium, the roads get wider, and the congestion reduces. We also drove past Fort William, Birla Planetarium, Park Street Cemetery and St Paul Cathedral.
Our next stop today was the Kali Temple, which is a Hindu temple. As you walk towards the temple, the streets are lined with small shops selling souvenirs, prayer offerings and traditional Kolkata handicraft products. The temple is quite interesting and has an engaging history. However, the experience of visiting the temple is not very interesting as it is extremely crowded with devotees. You will also witness several locals advising you on how to proceed and there is a price for everything. It really makes you feel like everyone is just trying to make money out of you. You should visit with a trusted local or a good tour guide, who will protect you from this.
From Kalighat we continued towards the Victoria Memorial – which is a large white marble building. It is a work of art and architecture and was made in the memory of Queen Victoria. It is a museum with a fascinating collection and a very prominent tourist stop in Kolkata, yet it was one of my least favourite stops today. I believe this is primarily because Kolkata has so much more to see and offer. I would recommend a photo stop outside the Victoria Memorial as it is one of Kolkata’s iconic tourist spots. If you have spare time in Kolkata and have seen everything else there is to see or if you are a museum enthusiast, then you should definitely explore the collection here.
Our last stop today was Mother house– It was set up by Mother Teresa in 1950. At Mother’s House, you can learn about the work done by Mother Teresa over the years. There is a small museum with significant information. Mother Teresa’s room at Mother’s House, is undoubtedly a perfect example of her simple yet meaningful life. This should be on your wish list for Kolkata.
Some of the things I missed were Indian Museum and China town. I am told the India Museum is quite fascinating and so is a meal at the China town of Kolkata.I visited Kolkata in April 2018 and was there for exactly 12 hours. The weather in Kolkata can be very humid, so it is best to wear cool and light cotton. The morning and evening were pleasant but during the day, the sun was very strong.
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