As I stepped outside the Dum Dum airport terminal, I saw a queue of yellow Ambassador Classic cars, which are the most iconic feature of Kolkata’s taxi service. The Ambassador car was one of my favorite cars to drive, it was once called the “Indian Road King”. The long queues of these yellow cars, instantly cheered me, the “City of Joy” certainly succeeded to live up to its expectations to bring joy to me.

Kolkata is a town rich in history, culture, and tradition. The place is famous for its colonial architecture, delectable street cuisine, and incredible engineering wonders.

I had one day to kill, I talked to one of the cab drivers to show me the town and drop me back at the airport. The cab driver suggested I opt for an AC cab rather than the Ambassador without air conditioning coz of the hot weather, and I missed out on the chance to roam the town on one of these. But the short ride from the airport to the agency where I got into another car was joyful.

Below is the list of places I visited during my short stay in Kolkata.

Victoria Memorial

Victoria Memorial is a large marble structure located in central Calcutta. It was constructed between 1906 and 1921 by the British government and is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria, the Empress of India from 1876 to 1901. The Victoria Memorial stands on the Maidan, and its entrance is on the Queen’s Way The grandeur and beauty of the monument, combined with its rich history and cultural significance, represent an impressive example of British colonial architecture.

St. Paul Cathedral

St. Paul’s Cathedral is a cathedral of Anglican origin in Calcutta and is known for its Gothic architecture and is dedicated to Paul the Apostle. Designed by William Nairn Forbes and C.K. Robinson in a combination of Gothic Revival Architecture and Indo-Saracen Architecture, St. Paul’s Cathedral was constructed between 1839 and 1847 and is one of the most important churches in India.

Prinsep Ghat

Built in 1841 in honor of James Princip, the impressive Palladian Porch building stands on the banks of the Hooghly River. Prinsep Ghat is a popular tourist attraction in Calcutta, known for its beautiful views of the river, royal architecture, and sunsets.

Howrah Bridge

The bridge was built to link 2 cities, Howrah Bridge is a balanced cantilever bridge located on the Hooghly River which connects the cities of Kolkata and Howrah. The Howrah Bridge was designed by the engineering firm Rendel, Palmer, and Tritton and constructed between 1936 and 1942. The bridge has six traffic lanes and a pedestrian walkway on each side, with approximately 100,000 vehicles and more than 150,000 pedestrians crossing it daily. The Howrah Bridge remains an important landmark in the city of Calcutta, with its historical significance and engineering wonder attracting tourists from all over the world.

College Street and Indian Coffee House

Known as “Boi Para”, the college street is a renowned and historic street known for its rich intellectual and cultural heritage, due to its association with numerous bookstores and educational institutions. Home to several prestigious educational institutions, including the renowned University of Calcutta, Presidency University, and Sanskrit College, they have played a pivotal role in shaping the intellectual and academic landscape of Kolkata. The street is lined with a plethora of bookshops and booths, making it a haven for book lovers and students. It is known for its large collection of textbooks, reference books, rare publications, and second-hand books.

Another landmark on College Street is the Indian Coffee House, a historic landmark dating back to the 19th century. The coffee shop is known for its unique atmosphere, characterized by its vintage decor and charm of yesteryear. This was originally a meeting point for the intellectual community of Calcutta. It has served as a meeting point for the artists, writers, and thinkers who have shaped the literary and artistic scene in Calcutta. Many prominent personalities, including renowned poets, writers, filmmakers, and musicians, have spent hours immersed in conversations and creative exchanges within the walls of this iconic institution.

Ganga Aarti

The Ganga Aarti is run on the shores of the Hooghly River, which is a distributor of the Ganges River. The ritual takes place on Babu Ghat, located near the Howrah Bridge.

The Aarti offers a serene and peaceful environment as the lamps are lit, hymns are chanted, and the sunset over the river adds to the tranquil atmosphere, creating a profound and uplifting experience. It also serves as a reminder of the eternal connection between the city and the river, highlighting the integral role of the Hooghly in the lives of the residents.

Mullick Ghat Flower Market

The largest wholesale flower market is renowned for the wide variety of flowers they trade. The market opens early in the morning and the city retailers come and buy the flowers. The market is a visual delight with vibrant displays of flowers arranged in intricate patterns. The market showcases the beauty and significance of flowers in Kolkata’s heritage.

Dakshineswar Temple

A famous Navaratna Hindu temple is located on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River and was built in 1855 by Rani Rashmoni, a Zamindar and Kolkata philanthropist. The temple complex is spread over a large area, and it comprises 12 Shiva temples, a Radha-Krishna temple, a bathing ghat, and a shrine dedicated to Rani Rashmoni. The temple is known for its association with Ramakrishna, a 19th-century Bengal mystic who served as a priest in the temple for many years.

Bengali Cuisine

Bengali cuisine reflects the rich cultural history of the region and its love of traditional flavors and culinary techniques. With an abundance of rivers and bodies of water in the region, fish became a basic food in Bengali meals. Bengali cuisine also boasts a wide range of sweets and desserts, known as “Mishti. Rosgulla, Sandesh, and Mishti Doi are the most popular sweets that I enjoyed when I was in Kolkata.

There were other places that I did not have the opportunity to visit or explore for various reasons. I’ll save them for the next tour, I hope very soon.

Fun Fact: The one city to which Google Maps can’t keep up with. The travel direction reverses around 1 noon on many roads, every day and maps are not equipped to handle this sudden change in traffic flow. Unless you know the way, and roads, you will not reach your destination using google maps when the direction of traffic changes.