Welcome to Kolkata Travel Guide, India’s capital under the reign of the British ruler was Kolkata. Kolkata has a long history of producing generations of poets, novelists, film makers, and Nobel Prise winners, earning it the title of India’s cultural capital.
If you only have time to visit one or two of India’s major cities but want to make a lasting impression, Kolkata should absolutely be on your itinerary.
You won’t forget the city on the Hooghly, whether you love it or detest it. It is a location where many types of tourists, such as those who adore God, are adventure seekers, or are avid photographers, can find what they are seeking for.
EXCITED HISTORY
The British East India Company, which first arrived in 1690, and British India, whose capital became Calcutta in 1772, are both significant figures in the history of Kolkata.
The generally accepted theory that Job Charnock founded Calcutta has recently been challenged by a number of Indian historians who contend that Calcutta actually stands on the site of an older Indian city that was built around the ancient Kali temple at Kalighat. The Kolkata High Court has acknowledged this allegation.
AROUND KOLKATA TRAVEL
Although the quantity and time restriction should be a little bit longer, the city has the most fantastic, quick, and economical transportation system with metro rails and public bus (CSTC, WBSTC) system, which is a rapid transit system serving the metropolitan area.
In contrast, the metro in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi is primarily underground. Although the cost is slightly higher than the non-AC buses, it is acknowledged that the AC buses are far more pleasant. To serve all other areas of Kolkata, including Sector 5, Joka, and the Airport, new metro lines are now being constructed. For Rs. 100, one can acquire a metro pass.
TRAMWAY IN KOLKATA AS HERITAGE TRAMS
The tram has developed into a timeless tradition in Kolkata that the entire population is proud of and that enhances the city’s romantic appeal. The only city in India having a functioning tram network is Kolkata. As one of the first memories of the British, Kolkata was where the first electric tram, which entered service in India in 1902, passed through the centre of the city.
One of the greenest and cleanest forms of transportation is the tram. Tram service is closely linked to Kolkata’s history and frequently depicted as a staple of the city’s culture in movies and books. The Calcutta Tramways Company Limited began operating air-conditioned trams only in 2013.
A SPECIAL HAND-PULL RICKSHAW
The most well-known icon of Kolkata has been operating on the city’s streets since the 19th century and is currently in its 130th year.
THE PERSONS
Those who live here are kind and cheerful. This city is criticised for being full of rush and activity. With the development of modern technology and the internet, the global city has experienced significant reformation, particularly in the previous 20 years. To take use of all contemporary services and facilities, including cutting-edge healthcare, transportation, and industrial exposure, people want to reside close to the city centre. A sizable section of the local population works for the government or in the private sector in the banking, insurance, finance, media, information technology, and small company sectors.
MUST WATCH FESTIVAL: DURGA PUJA
The Bengalis celebrate Goddess Durga’s victory over the monster Mahishasur at the auspicious and historic festival known as Durgapuja. This celebration honours the victory of good over evil. All pandals have shrines dedicated to Goddess Durga, and the city is festooned with holiday lights. The goddess Durga, known as the goddess of strength, is pictured riding a lion and brandishing ten different weapons in each of her ten hands.
This festival, which honours the unstoppable female power known as “Shakti” or power, is observed with great fervour. at addition to Goddess Lakshmi and other deities, Goddess Durga is the primary object of worship during the Durga Puja and is placed at the centre of the stage decoration.
This event, which is observed with great fervour, honours the unstoppable female power known as “Shakti.” In addition to Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati, Lord Kartik, and Lord Ganesha, Goddess Durga is the main object of adoration during Durga Puja and is shown prominently on the stage. To the beat of the drums and musical chants, people dance. We eagerly anticipate celebrating this celebration, which symbolises the triumph of peace, harmony, and prosperity, in all its splendour.
Bengal stands apart from other regions in that people here celebrate this occasion with fervour, enthusiasm, and full-on ecstasy by giving sweets and gifts to family members and cooking delicious delicacies like “Payesh” to exchange with one another. These traditions are admirable since they encourage a sense of love, kindness, solidarity, and fraternity among the locals while also reviving their spirits.
This kind of cultural values unites the country as a whole and aids in the promotion of good thought patterns. Beyond the headlines, many now prefer to celebrate Durgotsav in a unique way by organising pricey excursions outside of the city due to the improvement in living standards and shift in lifestyle.
LANGUAGE OF BENGALI
Bengali language—the regional dialect: They have a colloquial accent of the regional dialect with a few distinguishing notes, such as preferring to refer to pani puri as “Puchka” and “eating” water rather than drinking it.
FISHY AFFAIR IN KOLKATA
People in my province, in particular, have a taste for hot food like lobster curry and “Ilish macher paturi,” which is fish wrapped in banana leaves. It originates from Diamond Harbour, a region renowned for its fish farming. Every year in this city, the Hilsa Festival is also celebrated.
WEDDINGS
Even if it is acknowledged that they are quite humorous, nowadays’ enormous weddings are far too extravagant and expensive. In our area, brides dress in vibrant crimson for their engagement ceremony and are escorted away in a bridal carriage by a squad of friends and family members.
TASTE: WHERE SHOULD I EAT?
Radharaman and Balaram Mullick – Providing the city’s best traditional Bengali sweets, namely Sandesh and Rasogolla.
Manna from Bojhari- Named after the well-known Bengali song performed by Manna Dey in the 1970s, this unique family of eateries offers a great selection of Bengali food. Every day, the menu is handwritten on a whiteboard and is created with the season, the weather, the holidays, and of course, the fresh ingredients that are in season that day.
The Dacres Lane: plenty of restaurants from which you can select the foods you want. It is crowded and overrun with roadside shops and small eateries. You can get affordable, delicious cuisine. Chitto’s Shop is the most well-known restaurant in this lane.
Nizam’s : located near the new market. Since they are the ones who created the delectable rolls, you can try the original flavour of Kathi rolls here. The food is fantastic in every way.
“Oh! Calcutta!” : Elgin Road or the third floor of Silver Arcade near EM Bypass serve traditional Bengali cuisine on the fourth floor of Forum Mall. The boneless Hilsa Fish fillet, cooked on a banana leaf and served with a Mustard Gravy, is one of the specialities.
Sholoan Bangali : You will eat delicious fish that will stay in your taste buds’ memories for a lifetime. The most well-known dish is steamed shrimp in a coconut.
Syrups and shakes by Paramount : Try the Green Mango, Rose, and Vanilla milkshakes, as well as the Coconut Water (known locally as “daab”), which are all available at College Square. quite well-known among young couples courting.
Shikanji for Shibuji’s Soda : located on Theatre Road, just east of Camac Street, is a modest unremarkable store. Shikanji is a concoction of pop/soda, similar to Coca-Cola or cream soda, with a particular Indian spice blend comprised of lime, salt, and pepper as well as a few other common herbs. It’s a great site to purchase thandai, a wonderful, sweet, spicy beverage, during the Holi Festival.
Kolkata Nightlife: The majority of the pubs and eateries are dispersed along Park Street. ‘Tantra’ and ‘Some Place Else’ at Park Hotel on ParkStreet is a must-visit pub. Other bars are “The Myx,” “Sam’s Pub,” “Olypub,” and so forth. To enjoy the city’s nightlife, tourists frequently choose to stay at hotels close to Park Street.
THE GREAT FACTORS OF KOLKATA
The overall festive atmosphere is created by the rich international culture and overall joyful atmosphere.
There are numerous cuisines to try in and around the city, as well as countless intriguing sights to see.
Our city may not have a great profile as the national capital, but it stands out for its famous history and profound heritage, as highlighted by foreign visitors.
Several bachelor colleges and universities, as well as hospitals like Tata Medical Centre, financial institutions, shopping centres, flyovers or connections, and a number of skyscraper structures, have actually altered the way of life of city people.
In order to reduce pollution and uphold traffic hygienic standards, more public transportation is attempted to be used here.
More than anything else, culture is valued here. Every household has a member who is proficient in traditional dance, music, art, and Rabindra Sangeet.
A PLACE TO RELAX
Being a major metropolis, Kolkata offers a wide variety of lodging options. Prices range from Rs1.5K for a basic hotel room to Rs8K for a luxury option per night. Check and compare rates on a reputable travel website.
HOW TO REACH: In addition to having good road and rail connections to other areas of the nation, Kolkata is easily reached by air.
Airways: The fifth busiest airport in India is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, located 17 kilometres from the heart of Kolkata. Three terminals—the domestic, international, and cargo terminal—make it one of India’s top ten airports.
The current domestic and international terminals have been combined into a single L-shaped terminal with five storeys. The airport in Kolkata connects the city with South East Asia and 31 places inside India. Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways handle the majority of the traffic heading towards the Western Hemisphere.
Railways: There are four important train stations in Kolkata: Howrah, Sealdah, Shalimar, and Chitpur. Ferries directly facing Howrah may transport you to either Babu Ghat or Fairlie Place on the opposite side of the river, from which point you can arrange further transportation using everything from cabs to public buses to human rickshaws. Given the traffic, you might really save time and money by doing this.
Roadways: If you intend to travel by bus, you have a lot of possibilities. There are buses from all the neighbouring states accessible. The primary bus station for interstate and intercity buses in Kolkata is Esplanade Bus Station.
RECOMMENDED TRAVEL TIME
The greatest season to travel is from October to February, and it would be more advantageous if you can go to the five-day Durgotsav, an annual Asian Hindu festival. A tour of four to five days is sufficient.
Even though Kolkata is a city with a vast number of attractions, it also attracts tourists with its rich culture and fantastic food for foodies. One essay would not be sufficient to explain it. Being there and experiencing it firsthand allows one to feel it. So gather your belongings, lace up your shoes, and fly to the city of Joy for an unforgettable adventure.