How do you explain a city like Kolkata?
Maybe, one of those few cities in India where both the bygone and the new coexist in perfect harmony is Kolkata. The ‘City Of Joy’ is not like any other city. You have to soak your senses in it to realize the actual charm of this city.
Kolkata, a city vibrant with culture and art, is a beautiful city which was the capital of India for quite some time under the British Raj. The city has on it’s list some places that hold sheer magic – the ethereal Hooghly river, the graceful Victoria Memorial, the holy St. Paul Cathedral, the monumental Indian museum and the swanky City Centre at Salt Lake to name a few.
The real heart of the city lies in its people. But what about the city do the people love?
Here’s a list of 41 places in Kolkata mentioned by Minimalist Tollywood Posters that give the people here true happiness, warmth and memories, which they carry with them through every moment of their lives.
1. Bagbazar
In 1866, one Nabin Chandra Das founded a small sweet shop at Bagbazaar in North Calcutta. It’s like Rasgulla got a Columbus in Bagbazar’s Nabin Das.
2. Hatibagan
Located in Hatibagan, the Star Theatre in Hatibagan was one of the places where the first motion picture in Bengal was screened.
3. Babughat
Babughat is a unique junction point which is always bustling with passengers, who use it to reach the other side of the river.
4. Coffee House
They say a lot can happen over coffee. Coffee House is an iconic cafe and it is just not about the taste of the food or the decor, but this place is primarily famous for the heritage, student politics and nostalgia.
5. Golpark
The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture at Golpark is an institute which is well known for its philanthropic and educational activities all over the world.
6. Park Circus
Biriyani is synonymous with Arsalan for Bengalis. Undoubtedly, the best Mughlai restaurant in Kolkata.
7. Tangra
Tangra has been an integral part of the culture of the Chinese community and it is India’s only Chinatown.
8. Jadavpur
September 20, 2014 will never be erased from my mind, and the minds of tens of thousands of Kolkata. Jadavpur University is the voice of Kolkata and the country. #HokKolorob
9. Lalbazar
Either call 100 or go to the Kolkata Police headquarters in Lalbazar.
10. Gariahat
Are you a die-hard shopaholic? Placed in the heart of Kolkata, Gariahat can give you an amazing shopping experience.
11. Rajarhat
Kolkata has the second highest number of tallest buildings in India after Mumbai. Thank you, Rajarhat.
12. Shyambazar
The statue of Netaji, by Marathi sculptor Nagesh Yoglekar, is located at the Shyambazar five-point crossing.
13. Garden Reach
The ‘Second Lucknow’ is home to more than 70% Muslims of Kolkata.
14. Dum Dum
Kolkata’s busy airport was earlier called Dum Dum Airport before being renamed after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
15. Kumortuli
The place where Maa Durga is made.
16. Park Street
The historic South park Street cemetery happens to be a wonderful oasis of calm.
17. Kidderpore
Located in the central-west part of the city, Kidderpore Dock under the Port of Kolkata is the oldest operating port in India.
18. Behala
Sourav Ganguly. Enough said.
19. Kestopur
There is a chance of water-logging in Kestopur every time it rains in Kolkata. 😀
20. Dhapa
Kolkata’s garbage gets dumped and later recycled in Dhapa.
21. Bowbazar
Bowbazar is Kolkata’s jewellery district. For Bongs, Bowbazar is a must whenever there is a wedding in the family.
22. College Street
Dotted with makeshift book stalls on both sides of the road, College Street is a paradise for book lovers.
23. Esplanade
Vendors happily hawking away fruits, commuters chasing buses, winding trams and rallies. This is Esplanade on any given day.
24. Howrah
Howrah Bridge – An iconic landmark of the city of Kolkata.
25. Maidan
The 3 km-long park in Kolkata is what Central Park is to New York City.
26. Nicco Park
Nicco Park is the Disneyland of West Bengal. One of the biggest amusement parks in India.
27. Rabindra Sarobar
The largest water body in the heart of Kolkata with an open air stadium (Nazrul Mancha) inside.
28. Salt Lake
Probably, the coolest place to stay in Kolkata.
29. Sealdah
One of the largest train hubs in India. The other one being Howrah Station.
30. Victoria Memorial
The beautiful monument built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s 25-year reign in India.
31. Burrabazar
One of the largest wholesale markets in India.
32. Chandni Chowk
They have Steven Jobs. We have Chandni Chowk.
33. Cossipore
Factories, factories and factories. The Gun and Shell Factory is the oldest surviving factory in the Indian subcontinent.
34. Dalhousie
The shortened version for Benoy-Badal-Dinesh Bagh, Dalhousie used to be the prime office and business area as well as the seat of power of the state government.
35. Kalighat
Maa Kali. /
36. New Market
The place for shopping, street shopping & window shopping.
37. Sovabazar
The place where you will still find hand-pulled rickshaws. I told you, Kolkata is a brilliant mish-mash of modernity and old world charm.
38. Jorasanko
Popularly known as the ‘Jorasanko Thakurbari’, Jorsanko is the birthplace of Rabindranath Tagore.
39. Tollygunge
Satyajit Ray, Uttam Kumar, Ritwik Ghatak, Soumitro Chatterjee…The centre of the Bengali film industry.
40. Eden Garden
History, capacity and the crowd. One of the biggest cricket stadiums in India and the world.
41. Karunamoyee
No need of Google maps. You will find all sorts of buses in Karunamoyee.
Lastly, if you want a city with a soul, you can’t look beyond any other city other than Kolkata.
This made me fall in love with Kolkata again. 🙂