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kolkata
The Essential Quick Guide For Discerning Travellers
must-dos kolkata by biju sukumaran
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a tastE oF WEst BEngal Kolkata is a culinary melting pot, rich with Chinese, Muslim, Bangladeshi and western influences. At street corner booths throughout the city, try pani puri, made with semolina, chickpeas, potato and tamarind chutney. Kati roll (fried flatbread containing meat filling) is another popular fast food. An excellent place to try them is Badshah (5 Lindsay Street, Tel: 91 33 2217 4626). Kolkata sweets are famous throughout India, and K.C. Das (kcdas.co.in) is one of several packed stores with local favourites like gulab jamun (deep fried milk dumplings) and rasgulla (cottage cheese balls in syrup).
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stEp BaCk in timE Besides serving as India’s cultural centre, Kolkata was the capital of British India until 1911. Victoria Memorial Hall (victoriamemorial-cal.org), built to commemorate the British Raj, was constructed using white marble and set within 26ha of carefully manicured gardens. The palatial structure incorporates both British and Mughal designs, and houses a museum with artefacts relating to Queen Victoria and Indian independence. Kolkata has historically been the home to a sizeable Chinese population. See the rich mix of Chinese restaurants and temples, and catch traditional festivities like Chinese New Year celebrations at its Chinatown.
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shopping Bonanza Speciality shopping districts in the city include the Sir Stuart Hogg Market on Lindsay Street (also known as the New Market), which is the city’s oldest. It has over 2,000 stalls, and specialises in saris and traditional handicrafts. College Street in central Kolkata, one of the world’s largest second-hand book markets, is a bibliophile's dream – explore the blocks of bookshops, from large stores to small individual outdoor kiosks. For a wide selection of flavoured teas, pop into Dolly's Tea Shop (No. G62, Tel: 91 33 2423 6445), located within the Dakshinapan Shopping Complex (2 Gariahat Road).
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thE spiRitual path Respectfully view temple ceremonies at Kalighat Kali Temple (kalighattemple. com), a major pilgrimage site for devotees of the Hindu goddess Kali. Next to the temple is Nirmal Hriday (251 Kalighat Road, Tel: 91 33 2464 4223), the first of the late Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity centres. You can do volunteer work here or at The Mother House (54 A.J.C Bose Road, Tel: 91 33 2249 7115), where you can also visit her tomb. You can also sign up for volunteer work, go on a monastic retreat or visit the museum at the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission (belurmath.org), housed in Belur Math. It was founded by spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda, who incorporated Gothic and Renaissance styles into the temple architecture.
aRt sCEnE The city is home to the Academy of Fine Arts (academyoffinearts. orga.in), one of India’s oldest art societies. It boasts multiple galleries of contemporary art, engravings and textiles. The Birla Academy of Art & Culture (birlaart.com), established in 1966, emphasises the visual and performing arts, and houses mediaeval examples of woodcarving and sculptures. The sprawling Marble Palace (46 Muktaram Basu Street, Tel: 91 33 2269 3310) contains collections of European and Indian paintings, and Victorian furniture.
a The palatial Victoria Memorial Hall. B Pani puri is a popular street food. C College Street is a bookworm’s dream. d Idols at Kalighat Kali Temple.
Fast Facts CURRENCY Indian Rupee US$1 = 62 INR VISA Requirements vary. Visit india.gov.in for details. BEST TIME TO VISIT October to March is cool and you’ll avoid the humid Bengal summer. It’s also the time for many of the city’s festivals including Durga Puja and Diwali. HOW TO GET THERE Singapore Airlines flies 3 times weekly from Singapore to Kolkata.
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MORE INFORMATION westbengaltourism. gov.in
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