Kolkata The City Of Joy
Kolkata, India’s second biggest city, is a perpetually ongoing festival of human existence, concurrently luxurious and squalid, refined and frantic, pointedly futuristic, while beautifully in decay. A vibrant 350-year-old metropolis located on India’s Eastern Coast, the capital of West Bengal thrives on contradictions and imposing spectacles; nothing is commonplace in this city. Famously known as the City of Joy, Kolkata is, in every sense, the artistic, cultural and intellectual capital of the country. Kolkata’s streets are vivid, hectic, chaotic, and yet, brimming with life and creativity. Driven by the indomitable spirit of the self-made middle class, the city has created a beautiful juxtaposition of the old colonial-era charm with the nascent upcoming hipster culture that thrives amongst the city’s millennial residents.
Victoria Memorial: A majestic marble building dedicated to Queen Victoria, housing a museum of Indian history and art.
Howrah Bridge: An iconic cantilever bridge over the Hooghly River, offering stunning views, especially at sunset.
Belur Math: A serene place on the banks of the Hooghly River, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission.
Dakshineswar Kali Temple: A famous Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, known for its association with Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
Kalighat Kali Temple: One of the 51 Shakti Peethas, dedicated to Goddess Kali, attracting pilgrims and tourists alike.
Princep Ghat: A beautiful riverside promenade on the Hooghly River, perfect for a leisurely stroll and enjoying the riverfront views.
Mother House: The headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, where Mother Teresa lived and worked, now a pilgrimage site.
Being a coastal city though, with a typical tropical climate, winter is the best time to visit Kolkata. If you’re planning a trip to Kolkata, choose the winter months between October and February for your vacation.
Starting from admiring the flourishing art scene in the city to going on rewarding gastronomical explorations to wandering amidst the countless bazaars to sitting by the banks of the Hooghly and enjoying a peaceful sunset, Kolkata is soaked in layers and layers of heritage and culture, and peeling off each layer to look beneath the hood is a very rewarding, once-in-a-lifetime experience. As the famous quote goes, “If you want a city with a soul, come to Kolkata”.
Kolkata – A City Of Charm, Culture & Creative Minds
Kolkata is equal parts chaos and charming! From its busy corners to its ever-evolving markets, the City of Joy has plenty on offer to tourists who are ready to explore. The only time when the entire city gathers together to celebrate the much-lauded and divine festival of Durga Puja is the time when one gets to experience the culture of Bengal in its true form. Enjoy the festival with sweets, Bengali delicacies, themed pandal hoppings, and grand artist.
