Kolkata - Journey to the City of Joy

 

   It was becoming a boring life at home. The time came to go on another journey. But this time our travel does not begin far home or some famous place for tourism. As Tagore said,

you are paying money and waste your time to see some waterfall that far from your house but you missed the beauty of sunlight that reflected from the first water droplet which is placed in a tree leaf near your house.

This time I planned for going to visit that water droplet of mine Allinagar, mostly known as the City of Joy, one of the ancient cities of India, Kolkata. Some people say that this is a dying city but I completely see the different side. For me, it is the city of passion, city of heritage,  city of architecture, city of food. You can enter the city on many routes. But the best is the road because in other cases, you'll miss the roadside memories. While entering through the road you will see different sheds of the city.

-1st Day-

Entering the city, we saw the Slum. I remembered in Teresa's Biography, her contribution to the Slum people was exceptional. History remained intact in the alleys of the slums. The Slum people run the city from the city’s root which begins with the cleaning of the city, working as drivers of vehicles like Auto, Taxi and E Rickshaws to maintaining the beauty of the city. All the trees, nicely cut, you see the sides of the roads, all the green-n-clean parks of the city are intact for them. They guard most of the big sky touching buildings and malls and tourist spots. After that, we saw some extraordinary pottery stores beside the road. They are one of the examples of how much talents our state has but, the lack of leadership and bad planning through which our state is suffering.

After crossing the toll booth, we entered the main portion of the City through the Vidyasagar Setu. This Cable-Stayed Bridge represents the Marvellous Engineering Work. It has two beauty sides. One is in the early morning & the other is in Deep night. From the Bridge, the view of both the City & The River Hoogly is impressive. In the very early morning, when the city is just waking up, from the bridge, sunlight reflected Hoogly river looks charmful. In Contrast, at midnight, when the whole city is silent, the lighted Vidyasagar Setu with reflected light in the river Hoogly - this combination looks great. This bridge connects Kolkata with the Rest of the Bengal. There is another bridge, the famous Howrah Bridge or Rabindra Setu, that also situated on the same river. On a sunny day, you can see it from the Vidyasagar Setu.

Then we entered the main city. If we went on we could see a racecourse where horse racing is done. This city has filled with many beautiful tourist spots inside her heart. First, start with the architectural wonder The Victoria memorial. If someone love architecture he can't refuse seeing its beauty wonder. At each night, a show is hoisted there, where the water fountain is synchronised with music. The most wonder-full thing about this monument is the angel who stands at the top. Though nowadays it does not work, it turns with the wind direction. It was built for commemorating Queen Victoria's 25 Year reign in India. This is only one pearl in a string of pearls. 

Next is College street, heaven for book lovers. It is the world's 2nd largest Used Book Market. This place has thousands of bookstalls. We could find any book in the world from here at a very cheap rate.

Students can afford them easily for studying. If you find such a book which belongs to some good students you will find notes, important marks in that book. Collage street is an amazing place you will find, it so fascinating for book lovers. The book shopkeepers are also kind, they help in all ways they can to find the right book for you, There are many bookstalls which are running from decads.  Near college street, there is a historical place. You mainly can reach the place by climbing upstairs. It’s the famous Indian Coffee House.

Many legends like freedom fighters, poets, writers used to come here. It’s a place which stands for generations like somebody who is going today hopefully his father or grandfather also went there if they stayed in Kolkata. The main thing about that place is it’s literally filled all the time still the same as what was it before the revolution. The fun fact is that its’ food price and quality is also still the same. The coffee of this place is too good it’s probably better than most of the coffee shops which charge a high price just for their fancy staff.

There is a famous juice shop near the coffee house named Paramount. It was established in 1918 . Many famous persons came to this shop , It is the place for natural refreshing juice . This juices are more healthy than any carbonated drink especially in summer days. It is famous for it’s Dab juice. This juice recipe was given by J.C. Bose.

-2nd Day-
Now after such a crowed place let me take you to some quiet place where you can relax physically, mentally and spiritually. This is the temple of Dakhineswar. This is the famous Kali Mata temple, established by Rani Rashmoni.

She was an intelligent wonderful woman from the age when Woman education has no reality. She too promoted Woman education. She was married to a Zamindar Family of Janbazar. After her husband's death, she took charge of the zamindari.

Dakhineswar was the temple from where first Ramakrishna Dev and then Swami Vivekananda started their spiritual journey.

The next place is the Birla Planetarium, the Star House, situated at Chowringhee Road adjacent to the Victoria Memorial. Its whole structure is made of marble. It enhances the knowledge about our universe. It was established on 2nd July 1963. The 3D Space show is famous here. You can buy tickets according to show timing.  It has a huge place of display of many pictures and instruments used in space.

There is a huge market nearby named, Newmarket is the best for shopping. It is one of the largest markets where you can buy anything at a reasonable price. You should check if you looking for any goods. It is like a huge maze where you can easily lose your way, so be careful but you can find everything and much delicious food stalls here.

You can visit Netaji's Entally home. It is situated on the Lala Lajpat Rai Sarani. Now it is transformed into a museum dedicating it to him. There are many things preserved that belongs to Netaji. Even there was a marking path showing the way by which he in disguised escaped from the city. It’s the best place to feel his journey and know his devotion and love for the nation.

Satyajit Ray was one of the best directors, filmmakers our country ever had got. He was the first & last Bengali who won Oscar. His house was on Bishop Lefroy Road. In this house, his room is well preserved as it was. There are many books and script of his own also kept. There is a piano which he used to play. So when you are in that room you feel the legacy of Bengali Films.

Belur Math was established by Swami Vivekananda. It’s a place of peace devotion. This place is full of knowledge about Swamiji, Ramakrishna Dev lessons. There are different temples many devoting many monks. It’s a nice place with a green scenario. It near the bank of the river. Visiting this place you'll experience delightful experiences. 

I think I forgot to mention, there is a famous juice shop near the coffee house named Paramount. It was established in 1918. Many famous persons came to this shop, It is the place for a natural refreshing juice. These juices are more healthy than any carbonated drink, especially on summer days. It is famous for it’s Dab juice. This juice recipe was given by J.C. Bose.

One of the best Fooding options in Kolkata is the Allen kitchen which is 125 years old. With vintage decoration, this place serves quality foods. The most famous dish is the Prawn cutlet.

We went to Ramdulal street where we tasted the best Sandesh at Girish Chandra Dey and Nakur Chandra Nandi, the finest Bengali sweet shop. This place is famous for a special sweet item, Karapakher Sandesh.

Kona Dukan in BBD Bagh is the best for Malayie & toast. By the way, the 'Phuchka' is so popular in Kolkata that, in every street, you'll find one vendor selling 'Phuchka'.

One of the greatest legacies of Kolkata is the Tram. Tram at Kolkata still runs. Though its speed is not that high, it creates sweet memories. India's only city where Tram runs is Kolkata. We should use the Tram while travelling in Kolkata. Otherwise, one day it'll also become history.

Thank You!

Writing: Ronak Pattanayak

Pics source: Google