There are few cities in India
that are so rich in culture that they manage to carve a niche in your psyche.
One such example is Kolkata whose old-world charm and ever-lively atmosphere is
sure to enwrap you in its spell. Below
is the list of my personal experiences that made Kolkata a special place for
me.
- Victoria Memorial
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| Victoria Memorial |
Built in commemoration of Queen
Victoria’s 25 years of rule over India, this white marble beauty is sure to make
your visit to this city a memorable one. The architectural grandeur of this
place that is an amalgamation of both British and Mughal elements is a huge
tourist magnet of the city - primarily because it is located in the heart of
the city. This place is a marvel for history enthusiasts as the museum inside
the memorial houses galleries full of portraits, artefacts and sculptures of
royalty, national leaders as well as about the history of Calcutta. The gardens,
elaborate shrubbery and the lovely fountains surrounding the memorial are well
maintained and is meant for cupid-struck couples. Although photography is not
allowed inside the premises, do try to sneak a picture with the magnificent
statue of Queen Victoria standing tall right in the middle of the museum hall.
Entry fee – INR 20 (Indians) ,
INR 200 (Foreigners)
2. Prinsep
Ghat
Your Kolkata experience is
unfinished without taking an evening boat ride from Prinsep Ghat to Hooghly
river. This place is sure to give you the vintage feels and is one of the most
romantic things to do in the city. The Palladian Porch that you can see here was
built in the memory of Anglo-Indian scholar James Prinsep and has the magnificent
view of the hanging Hooghly bridge towering over it. Do visit this place in the
evening to experience the mesmerizing lighting of this place.
3. Belur
Math to Dakshineshwar Kali Temple
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| Belur Math |
Now this was undoubtedly my most
memorable thing to do in the city. The ferry/boat ride from Belur Math to
Dakshineshwar Kali temple was not only full of captivating scenes but also
quite an adventurous one that managed to give me a minor scare.
Belur Math situated on the West
Bank of Hooghly river was founded by Swami Vivekananda and is the chief
headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Mission. The most notable part of this temple
is the symphony of its architecture that employs Christian , Islamic , Hindu
and Buddhist elements. It is a place of utmost peace during off-seasons and could
send you into a meditative trance.
Head to the Belur Jetty and take
a ferry/boat to Dakhshineshwar Kali temple (another architectural mogul in its
own right) through river Ganga . The ride takes around 30 minutes and you will
get scenic views of the 2nd Hooghly Bridge, the Vivekananda Setu
(Bally Bridge) and the magnificient Dakshineshwar Kali temple in all its glory.
The cool breeze along with the sway of the ripples created by Ganga makes the
ride memorable.
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| Bally Bridge |
Our boat almost capsized due a sudden
approach of strong waves in the river and we survived all thanks to our adept
boatman. Once you reach the Maa Bhabatarini Jetty Ghat , you can see the Bally
Bridge looming over you in all its rustic glory.
Although I am not a big fan of
temples, I must say the Dakshineshwar Kali temple is quite unique as far as
temples go. It’s typical Bengali architecture coupled with a frenzy of
spiritual energy drove me forward for the darshan (I usually skip the darshan
and just visit temples for the architecture) and I felt quite content
afterwards.
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| Dakshineshwar Kali Temple |
4. Tram
ride across the city crowd
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| Joy of a tram ride |
Not local trains, not metros but
it’s trams that will definitely give you a feel of travelling in the colonial
era. This mode of travel is dirt cheap and slow but the childlike fun you
experience is un-paralleled. Being the only running tram systems in India, this
mode of transport adds not only an vintage charm to city but is also an
environmentally sustainable way of transport.
5. Delectable
Bengali cuisine at Bhojahori Manna
It is no doubt that Kolkata is
difficult to compete with in matters of food. Bengali cuisine manages to weave
its magic on you. Making its way through your taste buds, the food here manages
to etch forever-a place in your heart. And to experience Bengali cuisine, this
place is definitely one of the best. Being a franchise restaurant, this place
has multiple locations across the city and provides you lip-smacking Bengali delicacies
at reasonable cost. I tried the Basanti Pulao and Daab Chingri at their
Ballygunge outlet and needless to say the food won me over.
6. Authentic
Chelo kebabs at Peter Cat
Let me lay it out upfront, that I
am truly not a fan of kebabs. But recommendation from every true-blooded
Kolkatan I know compelled me to check this place out. And boy was I amazed!
Peter Cat is the one of the oldest restaurants in Park Street Circle and is
famous for the unique dish of Chelo kebab (mutton and chicken) served with steamed
rice and veggies. A plate will cost you around 400 bucks. Also try the fish
dish Beckty Munier and some caramel pudding to end on a sweet note.
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| Chelo Kebab at Peter Cat |
7. The
game of galaxies at Birla Planetarium
If the stars and the galaxies
interest you, this is undoubtedly worth your time. But have you ever tried to
watch a show in Bengali? Being similar to Hindi, Bengali can be understood by
most Hindi speakers with a little concentration. Watching the show in the local
language gives you a chance to brush up your Bengali skills and is a unique
experience worth boasting about later.
Entry fee – INR 40
8. Get
amazed at the Gothic architecture of St Paul’s Cathedral
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| St. Paul's Cathedral |
9. Ferry
ride at Babu Ghat across the Ganga
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| Babu Ghat |
The peace you feel at the heart
of Ganga can be experienced at a very cheap cost (as low as INR 5) by the
amazing ferry rides connecting Howrah to Kolkata. This experience will also
give you majestic views of the Howrah bridge looming over the river.
Things I missed in Kolkata and
would like to see again
- · Nicco park
- · Eco Park
- · Kalighat temple
- · Sunderbans
- · Ravindra Sarovar lake
Below are some more snaps of my
visit to Kolkata.
Although, there might be 100
other reasons to love the city, this list is curated as per my own experience. Do
comment below if you agree or disagree with my top choices.
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| Howrah Railway station |
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| India's only running tram system |
