Kolkata in pictures

Kolkata is reckoned as the City of Joy for the amiable vibes, sophisticated charm, irresistible mishtis, wafting aroma of the incense, the pujas, Rabindro Sangeet and so many abstract good things that life could afford in the erstwhile British India capital. The city’s easy-going nature infuses a sense of high-spiritedness to its people. It is a place that thrives on art, culture, music, craftsmanship. People bond over food here, and it is their social nature that keeps them tied to each other. In short, Kolkata is a city to be, at least for once in life, for the sake of pure joy.

Shopping in Kolkata can be a lot of fun. The city is inundated with markets, malls and street-side vendors selling beautiful and interesting things. Popular purchases include saris, handicrafts, jewellery and terracotta items. If you bargain well, you'll get some great deals. New Market, also known as Hogg's Market, is Kolkata's oldest and most well known market. It's got over 2,000 stalls and is a bargain hunter's delight. Head to the reconstructed section of the market, which got rebuilt after a fire in 1985, if you want to buy saris. You'll find plenty to choose from there. In the evenings, street vendors come to sell cheap jewellery and eye catching bags out the front of the market. Be prepared to wrestle the crowds.

The Calcutta High Court is the oldest High Court in the country. It was established on 1st July, 1862 under the High Court’s Act, 1861. It has jurisdiction over the state of West Bengal and even the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The High Court building was designed by Mr. Walter Granville, Government Architect, on the model of the ‘Stadt-Haus’ or Cloth Hall at Ypres in Belgium. It also has a permanent Circuit Bench in Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

When it comes to saliva-inducing street food, Kolkata’s gastronomic delights are best eaten on the street for dirt cheap prices. Jhal Muri is one of the most famous and omnipresent Bengali street snacks around. Anywhere you look, you’re bound to see a vendor doling it out to a dozen people at any given time. It consists of puffed rice, fried dal, peanuts, fresh chopped onions and tomatoes, coriander, a handful of masala seasonings, and a light drizzle of mustard oil to top things off. Light, yummy and completely worth it’s salt.

One of the everlasting impressions that stay with you long after you’ve left the City of joy, is the gleaming white Victoria memorial surrounded by lush greenery and wide roads. Conceptualised and created by Sir William Emerson in 1921, the Victoria Memorial is a standing testament to the country’s plundered riches that were splurged on the English royals. This memorial dedicated to Queen Victoria provides an insight into Indian history right from the arrival of the British, right up to independence.

Also known as Hogg's Market, this is Kolkata's oldest and best known market. It's got over 2,000 stalls and is a treat for those who like to hunt for a good bargain. Go straight to the reconstructed section of the market, for the famous saris synonymous with West Bengal. White with red borders, these are called the ‘lal paar sarees’, and are the traditional attire for women during Durga Pooja. You'll find plenty to choose from. Also look out for ‘tussar’ and ‘vishnupuri silk’. These fabrics are beautiful to drape and make for lovely presents when you get home.

Hand-pulled rickshaws came to India most likely from China during early 20th century. Kolkata is the only city in India, and one of the few around the world where hand-pulled rickshaws still exist. Most of the rickshaw pullers are from the neighbouring states and live on the city's crowded pavements. According to the statistics, there are 6500 registered, and a few more thousands unregistered, hand-pulled rickshaws on the streets of Kolkata even to this day.

The Hooghly river might look unappealingly murky, but it's holy to Hindu Kolkatans whose main festivals often involve plunging divine puja images into its waters. Until silting rendered it impractical for large ships, the River Hooghly, a tributary of the Ganges, was responsible for making Calcutta a bustling port. The ghats lining the river’s east bank serve as landings and places for ritual ablutions.

Located on the banks of the Hooghly river, the Dakshineswar Temple is among the important Hindu temples of Kolkata. The presiding deity is Bhavatarini, a form of goddess Kali. Bhavatarini means ‘she who liberates her devotees from the ocean of existence’. The temple is visited by millions of devotees to seek blessings of Ma Kali.