Kolkata- A Potpourri of Culture, Food and Scenery

[Gets Holidays]

I have not spent few hours over here not even few days or months, but have spent 25 longs years of my life and have gone through its every hook and nook. Kolkata is a city which binds human beings together. It is where tourists are treated as Gods, a contented middle class culture prevails all through, aroma of delicious road side snacks is in the air, heritage buildings narrate the stories of British Raj and people believe slow and steady wins the race. Kolkata gave birth to poets, writers, revolutionists and scientists whose success story still echoes in every corner of the world. Creating creative giants since time immemorial, today, every field of work has a Bengali linked to it.

Everything is unique in this city and there is some enjoyment attached to this uniqueness. Black and yellow ambassadors, slow moving trams, tiny roadside tea huts, footpaths occupied by ‘phuchkawalas’, British named roads, narrow streets, semi damaged historical buildings and after office gossips of poeple on their roadside locality benches. The Ganga ghats offering scenic boat rides at a price of peanuts is loved not only by Kolkatans, but also by several foreign travelers who visit the heritage land to cherish the existing glory of British India. What more can I say than calling Kolkata a potpourri of culture, food and landscape.

The moment I started to talk and walk on my own, all I have witnessed is the city is happy with whatever it has. For me it has always been less demanding and may be that is why today many outsiders feel that Kolkata is not as industrially advanced as any other metropolis of India. The portrait of Kolkata’s culture in one word is distinctive, its replica can’t be found anywhere in the world. A walk down the British named lanes, early morning jogging at Maidan, noisy sip of morning tea and gossiping on every available topic on earth, paddling through College Street and dining in restaurants as fine as Peter Cat and Moulin Rouge have always left me spellbound. I have never found such a perfect mélange of old and new cultural instinct anywhere in India. Every aspect of life, politics, sports, films, books, news, food all prevail in equal importance in the air of Kolkata. Festivals are an intrinsic part of ‘City of Joy’. The grand celebration of Durga Puja is no more confined within Bengalis. It has spread to communities like Marwaris, Punjabis, Gujaratis and religions like Jews, Christiand and Parsis who have witnessed the city since birth.

Food is what Bengalis can’t live without. Every house smells of mouthwatering fish curry while the road side food stalls spread the tempting aroma of fish fry and chicken roll. Dinner in every Bengali home ends with a sweet dish. The enticing smell of Kolkata biriyani, jhalmuri, phuckha, ghugni, roadside chowmein, samosa, papri chaat, kachauri with potato curry, jalebi, misti doi, rasugulla and tea on earthen cups by the road side along with local bakery made biscuit enthrall the mood of travelers who come from distant lands.

The city draws a portrait of mesmerizing scenery. Constructed more than a century ago, the massive and beautiful structures like Victoria Memorial, Jorashanko Thakurbari, and Indian Museum dominate the landscape. Though maximum part of it is surrounded by buildings and people, still you will find enough greenery to breathe in the fresh air. While every home and high rise apartments have a dedicated garden area, the Ganga River draws an amazing picture of serenity and purity. Boat rides, fishing and simply sitting on the river banks let time flow in the swap of fingers. Heritage hotels like Taj Bengal and Grand stand side by side with latest developments like ITC Sonar and Hyatt to shade the scenery with old and new. Old houses, Christian homes and multi storey buildings line up on the main roads. Second Hoogly Bridge and Howrah Bridge with their gigantic structures paints the city artistically. The underground metro trains and hand pulled rickshaw are a reflection of that India whose history we have just read in school-books. And it’s amazing to witness that in reality.

Aptly termed as the “City of Joy”, Kolkata is a city full of life. It welcomes guests with smile and honor and shelters its age old residents with love and care. Have a look at Kolkata and get lost in the glory of ancient India.

Plan your trip to Kolkata with GeTS Holidays to experience the ethereal beauty of India.