Despite of having lived in Kolkata for three years, I had never really gotten the chance to explore much of the city. So on my recent visit (05.03.2020), I decided to take a tour (on my own) of at least one tourist spot where i hadn't been before because, why not?
But owing to the fact that I had very less time in hand, I was in a huge dilemma and had already wasted my morning on deciding the location.
Underwhelmingly, I had given up the idea of touristing around and instead thought of going to shop around New Market. After a couple of minutes, I headed towards the 8B bus stand and hopped on the E1 bus.
The conductor had just started giving out tickets when I heard someone at the front seat say "Birla Planetarium eh samne nambo" (I will get down near Birla Planetarium). On hearing the fellow passenger, I let out a satisfactory smile as I had just found the perfect detour en route: St. Paul's Cathedral, one of the most popular churches of Kolkata which is located right beside the Birla Planetarium. It is widely known for being the Episcopal Church of the eastern world.
Ever since I had first come to Kolkata, I had always wanted to visit this place but, somehow, had never really gotten the chance to. I got as happy as a clam in high water since this was also my first solo touristing.
On entering the church gate, I was welcomed by the "Garden of Meditation" on the right and the astounding building in its English Gothic architectural style in the front overlooking a rounded rectangle garden (and I, of course). I felt extremely tiny in front of the magnificent church.
The whole church is surrounded by greenery which only adds more to the serenity of this religious site. Being in the premises of the church was so peaceful that even though I was in the heart of the metropolis, I was miles away from the hustle and bustle.
Consecrated by Bishop Wilson on the 8th of October 1847, the Cathedral's architectural wonder attracts a lot of visitors from around the world.
I was very fortunate as the place wasn't as crowded that day and the weather turned out to be very pleasant too, so, I took it to my advantage and started recording. The montage of which turned out to be my first vlog on YouTube. [ YouTube: Neha Lama: A vlog perhaps? | St. Paul'sCathedral | Kolkata].
The inside of the church is just as fascinating and just as peaceful. The hallways are decorated with many art forms and memorial tablets. The main prayer hall has beautifully carved wooden pews and chairs. There are stunning glass-stained windows on the eastern and the western sides which, for a moment, made me feel like I was in a Dan Brown movie. There is also a library above the western porch, where it is said that Bishop Wilson himself had donated 8000 of his books and manuscripts.
It is also believed that the Bishop lies buried in an underground chamber of the Cathedral's alter.
The best part of the tour was that it hardly took me two hours to explore the entire place, it cost me almost no money (except for Rs. 30 for the bus ride) and in the midst of chaos, I found a place to relax.
What more can anyone ask for to escape from the daily uproar?
