Kolkata- City of Joy

To get acquainted with how India used to look during British era, one must visit Kolkata- formerly known as Calcutta. Kolkata was the capital of India during the British rule and so one can find many buildings here which have the look of British era. The city of joy hasn’t changed much in last ten years. Though some shopping malls, expanded roads and high rises have been added to the city.

Few people know that metro rail was first started in Kolkata on the route – Tollygunge to Dum Dum. But it remained the only route even after many years passed by. Work on new routes has started recently. On the other hand, Delhi got its first metro rail in 2002 but has added several routes within few years. One can find trams only in Kolkata and travelling in them is really fun. The Hand Rickshaw, operation of which was about to be stopped once, can be seen only here. Sitting in it is a bit scary, but enjoyable too.

Kolkata is also famous for other things which I observed and would like to mention.   
The City of Joy, as it is called, is famous for its sweets. The lip-smacking rasogullas, sandesh and meesti dhoi are the specialties. Puchkas (also known as Pani Puri) and Jhal Muri are also very yummy. 

People of Kolkata celebrate festivals with great enthusiasm and zest. Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Laxmi Puja and Kali Puja are the festivities which people here really look forward to. Pandals are set everywhere during these Pujas. Durga Puja is basically the most important festival here. There are always long queues of people waiting to see idols of the Goddess Durga, which are placed in the pandals. 

Durga Puja celebration at South City Mall

The trip to Ganga Sagar is also famous and people from all over India visit this place during Makar Sankrati (14^th and 15^th January, every year) to take a dip in the confluence of river Ganga and the Bay of Bengal. They also offer puja in the Kapil Muni temple. It is the second largest congregation after the Kumbh Mela. Ganga Sagar is situated on the Sagar Island which is on the southern tip of West Bengal. Though journey is tiring, but it is really enjoyable. 

Ganga Sagar

Christmas is also celebrated here with gusto. To see the fun during the Christmas time, one must visit Park Street where decoration is awesome, and the street is crowded. It is definitely an enjoyable experience.
  

Christmas decoration at South City Mall

Kolkata is also famous for its ‘rallies’ and ‘bandhs’. When political parties declare a bandh, the whole city shuts down completely. Offices, shops, schools and colleges close and every other thing stops. Public doesn’t dare to go out in these bandhs because of the associated risks. Main effect is seen in Esplanade - centre of the city.

I have observed that people here love books and Rabindra Sangeet. An International Book Fair is held every year in Kolkata. It is the largest book fair in Asia and most attended one in the world. Majority of book stalls have long serpentine queues of passionate readers. 

Kolkata Book Fair

I like to visit new places and have also found some interesting and wonderful places to visit in Kolkata. The trip to Nicco Park was enjoyable - an amusement park with joy and water rides. It is really admirable. 

Nicco Park

Science City is also a good place to visit, if one wants to see something interesting and scientific. 

Science City

Alipore Zoo is said to be the oldest zoo in India. I really enjoyed watching giraffes, elephants, rhinoceros, hippopotamuses, crocodiles and of course king of the jungle - lion. 

Alipore Zoo

Alipore Zoo

The two temples which I found very nice are the Kalighat Temple and the Birla Mandir. They both are really pious and lovely. 

Being in Kolkata, I keep finding new and interesting places to venture out.