A Day's Trip to City of Joy & Sheer Happiness

Tripoto
2nd Jan 2016
Photo of A Day's Trip to City of Joy & Sheer Happiness 1/11 by Shreya Rathi
Hustle Bustle at Bara Bazaar
Photo of A Day's Trip to City of Joy & Sheer Happiness 2/11 by Shreya Rathi
Soothing view shot from Banks of Ganges
Photo of A Day's Trip to City of Joy & Sheer Happiness 3/11 by Shreya Rathi
Paradise for readers- College Street
Photo of A Day's Trip to City of Joy & Sheer Happiness 4/11 by Shreya Rathi
From where it all started & ended- Station
Photo of A Day's Trip to City of Joy & Sheer Happiness 5/11 by Shreya Rathi
The beauty of Bengal - Howrah Bridge
Photo of A Day's Trip to City of Joy & Sheer Happiness 6/11 by Shreya Rathi
Race Course- Royal Calcutta Turf Club
Photo of A Day's Trip to City of Joy & Sheer Happiness 7/11 by Shreya Rathi
Struggle to make way at New Market
Photo of A Day's Trip to City of Joy & Sheer Happiness 8/11 by Shreya Rathi
Sunset at Princep Ghat
Photo of A Day's Trip to City of Joy & Sheer Happiness 9/11 by Shreya Rathi
Silence - South Park Street Cemetry
Photo of A Day's Trip to City of Joy & Sheer Happiness 10/11 by Shreya Rathi
Sunrise at Victoria Memorial
Photo of A Day's Trip to City of Joy & Sheer Happiness 11/11 by Shreya Rathi
Crazy Tram Rides

Feet soaked in the holy water of Ganges, sitting on the banks of the river in the evening before leaving for station, I saw a boat struggling through the heavy currents of the river. One heavy tide, and the boat could have drowned, but the skipper seemed like a man of distinct ability. Somehow managing through the currents, the boat slowly turned its course towards Belur. On my right, the mighty bridge which every Bangla is proud of, the Rabindra Setu, which is famously known as Howrah Bridge stood erect with pride. 

Kolkata, or rather Calcutta - This is my land, the place where I was born, the place where I do not belong to but would always be my native as it gave me a childhood that I would cherish till the end. Where I would run after fisherwomen only to touch a fish once, where I used to sit by the window just to watch rallies passing by. Where I would get the best eatables (which I still dig, thanks to the great taste and cheap prices), but most importantly, the place where my Nanu would make me sit on his shoulder and show me the places around. Going to Cal still makes me nostalgic. A stream of emotions leaves me overwhelmed, because the time that has passed away would not come back again. Everything is same and yet so different! The house where I took my first steps is no longer there, and is rebuilt to a hotel now. The roads where I used to run and fall down thousands of times are now busy streets. The gardens from where I used to pluck flowers for my Dollhouse have been replaced by multistory buildings. The clean air definitely doesn't exists at all. What now exists is pollution of factories that now surround the area.

Yes the things around have changed, and the places where most of my childhood was spent no longer exist, but the emotions, those feelings, the memories still remain fresh. They replenish my soul whenever I feel stressed under the burden of underachieved targets and never ending work. This place shall always be a paradise for people who love to travel, specially on low budgets and who look for delicacies they could swear on! 

Best time to visit- ALL YEAR LONG! But rather, Pujo time is the best and most ideal time to visit.

As a kid, I always wanted to travel to Kolkata alone, and start my day with visiting the glorified Victoria Memorial at the time when the first ray falls on the spectacular monument. The gardens were well trimmed, and the look of the place - SPELL BOUNDING. Nostalgia train had left its station. And there are more halts to come.
Photo of Victoria Memorial, Queens Way, Kolkata, West Bengal, India by Shreya Rathi
Next destination on my map was right in front of the Victoria! The Kolkata Race Club. The love for horses attracted me to this place. This turf club is said to be one of the oldest and biggest race courses in India.
Photo of Kolkata Race Course, Hospital Road, Race Course, Kolkata, West Bengal, India by Shreya Rathi
I am the biggest coward you shall ever come across, but visiting this place was and always is a MUST-GO-TO place! Peace, calm, composed environment interspersed with nature at its best. Could I want anything else?
Photo of South Park Street Cemetery, Park Street area, Kolkata, West Bengal, India by Shreya Rathi
"Paradise for readers", my grandfather exclaims everytime someone mentions College Street. Nostalgia hits his face, and all he imagines is his college days. Even an hour was not enough for me to explore all the bookstores. Even if a book is available for 300 outside, this place will have the second hand book, in the best condition, for less than 50-60 bucks! Left for my next spot with at least 9 books in hand and a nine inch smile on face.
Photo of College Street, Kolkata, West Bengal, India by Shreya Rathi
Because shopping for tote bags, ethnic junk jewelry, cotton kurtas and everything that is sheer delight to eyes is a MUST. "Shoppers Paradise", and the best part is that no matter how much you buy, it won't burn a hole in your pocket. Unless you decide to buy a store, then god saves you *crackles*
Photo of New Market, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal, India by Shreya Rathi
After trotting non stop, my stomach made funny noises, and so I took myself out to Bara Bazaar, one of the biggest wholesale markets in India, and also the place with cheap priced lip smacking food. On Jagmohan Mullick Lane, the footpaths are covered with stalls of chaat vendors, and their pav-bhaaji is worth dying for! Sizzling hot butter right on top of mouth watering bhaaji made me lose all my table etiquettes, and eat like a crazed up person, who hasn't had meals for days! Right on the crossing of the road sits an old aged man, who sells Pani Puri and Jhalmuri - the things-you-should-eat-in-Kolkata, since 30 years. And he still hasn't lost the charm for sure!
Photo of Bara Bazar, Kolkata, West Bengal, India by Shreya Rathi
After shopping, trotting and eating I finally got on a haath rickshaw, that dropped me off at Bhootnath Mandir. Post worshiping Baba Bhootnath, I went on to board the launch from Ahiritola to Howrah Station. Boarding the launch for me has always been one of the most exciting modes of transportation!
Photo of Ahiritola Launch Ghat, Strand Bank Road, Ahiritola, Kolkata, West Bengal, India by Shreya Rathi
Because it had to end at some point, but this is just the starting!
Photo of Howrah Station, Station Road, Howrah Railway Station, Howrah, West Bengal, India by Shreya Rathi