This ain't about how much I miss my city... It's much about what exactly is KOLKATA (Calcutta) all about ... What are the things to do in this CITY OF JOY. I've been asked many times what is there in Calcutta? Why do I love Calcutta so much? Why do I feel so nostalgic about my city? So for them I'm writing in this blog... I'll try to cover almost all important things in Calcutta without making this blog exhaustive...
Oh and by the way I said " I'll to cover because I don't think I can cover all... The city has much more things to surprise you! :):)

First of all, the name is Kolkata. Formerly it was known as Calcutta. Just like Chennai was Madras and Mumbai was Bombay. Although I always love to call Calcutta...reason? umm ...I dunno... may be the word "Calcutta" has an old charm. It was the former capital of India during it's Bristish Raj period. o during hovering or hopping in this city, you will come across loads of pre independence era buildings, monuments, mausoleums etc... and on the other side you will see it's posh tinsel town charm. Basically, Calcutta is divided into two parts i.e. North Kolkata and South Kolkata. north Kolkata can be recognized by it's dense alleys, by-lanes and all but on this side South Kolkata is much more congestion free (well, at least when compared with the North) because South Kolkata ain't so unplanned like the Northern part of the city.




 Take A Boat Ride Across The Ganga:
 Hop on to a boat. Do not just sit. Stand on the deck. You will love to watch and photograph the Howrah Bridge and the three other hanging bridges in all their majestic splendor. The best time to take the boat is during sunset when you get the sinking sun, the river and the bridges in a single frame!        







Maidan:

The Skyline Of Kolkata From The Maidan

The Maidan (literally open field) is the largest urban park in Kolkata in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a vast stretch of field and home to numerous play grounds, including the famous cricketing venue Eden Gardens, several football stadiums, and Kolkata Race Course. Maidan is dotted with several statues and pieces of architecture, most notable being the Victoria Memorial. Due to the freshness and greenery it provides to the metropolis, it has been referred to as the "lungs of Kolkata". Maidan is a property of the Indian Army, and hosts the Eastern zone high command of the Indian Army in Fort William. The Maidan stretches from as far north as the Raj Bhavan building in Esplanade and as far south as the National Library on Belvedere Rd. in Alipore. The wide field stretches from the Hoogly River on the west to the Victoria Memorial on the east. It is a historical and cultural center of Kolkata as well as a center of leisure and entertainment for Calcuttans.


The Raj Bhawan in the northern part of the Maidan. The Eden Gardens is the second largest cricket stadium in the world and is located in the heart of the Maidan.  It is the home of the Bengal cricket team and the Indian Premier League's Kolkata Knight Riders!! Amongst the later additions are – Netaji Indoor Stadium, the M.P. Birla Planetarium, Rabindra Sadan, Academy of Fine Arts, and Nandan. The Birla Planetarium in Kolkata with a statue of Indira Gandhi in the foreground. Check out Victoria Memorial and The King Edward VII Arch near the Victoria Memorial. And also check out  theKolkata Race Course, India is one of the largest horse race venues in India. The horse races are held from the month of July to September, and again from November to March. The races are usually held on Saturdays, and also on other public holidays.








                                                   Visit College Street:
It is the century old book market of Kolkata. Some people believe that
almost every book ever published by mankind is available here. Hunt well and you can discover books that are out of print now, or maybe even more than a century old. Bargain well, and you can take home a copy of the first edition of 'Oxford Short Stories' for Rs 5. While you're at it, do visit the Presidency College, have an 'Infusion' at the legendary Indian Coffee House and the really really awesome Daab Sherbet at Paramount, one of the old school sherbet shops


Go To The South City Mall :
Current shopping destination of the Kolkatans for all seasons! But for me South City Mall is for reunions with old friends. "Come let's meet" ... Don't even dare to ask where ... Every teenager in Kolkata knows the answer. Don't also give South City Mall's infamous Food Court a miss.





Shop At Gariahat:
Much before Kolkata got all these big malls, Puja shopping invariably meant a trip to Gariahat, no matter in which corner of the city you lived in. The array of goods you get on the roadside there is mindboggling. From crockery to skirts, from handbags to electronics - you have it all. Just make it a point to hone up your bargaining skills before you go there. Also do visit Anandamela-the electronics store and the many famous saree shops there.




Photography at Princep Ghat:
 If you have seen Parineeta, you must be knowing how picturesque Princep Ghat is. It's cliched, but it's beautiful. It's real fun to take some pics among the pillars with those endless combinations. And with the river and the Second Hooghly Bridge in the background, it just looks out of the world. And while you are there, do not forget to check out SCOOP, the ice cream parlour with fun sundaes and an awesome view of the river.



Celebrate Christmas At Bow Barracks:
Bow Barracks is the locality inhabited by the Anglo-Indian community of Kolkata. Christmas is the best time to spend here since a lot of the children who now live in more lucrative countries like Dubai or Australia come home. Every home spells out warmth through the mulled wines and the homemade cakes they make. But do not make a mistake. A lot of women on that street can make a decent 'macher jhol' too.

Watch sculptors at Kumortuli: 



Electronics at Chandni Chowk: The electronics market of the city, this place, along with it's lanes and by lanes has given birth to many a Kolkata genius. From top notch original stuff to cheap home made knockoffs of every product and brand possible - you'll get it here. Repairs that your official service centre has given up on? Or something fun that costs you a bomb? Look well and you'll find a little genius hidden in one of these shops who will make magic with a soldering iron and a voltmeter.




Take a Metro Ride: I'd suggest, take an end-to-end metro ride from Dum Dum to . Kolkata metro has a stretch below the ground and one above. Make sure you cover both. The first metro of India, it's a sheer pleasure to ride. Fast, convenient and expensive also (It was affordable a year ago though). Make sure to check out the names of the newer stations. Whenever I visit Calcutta I take a metro ride from Park Street to Rabindra Sarobar. Enjoy the ride. Sorry couldn't enlighten you guys about the current metro fare chart.


Eat Chinese food at Tangra:
The only Chinatown of India is located in Tangra, Kolkata. It also happens to be the place where you'll get the best EVER Chinese food. And mind you, it's not Indian Chinese. It's Chinese Chinese. The real stuff. Right from the mainland. It's way much better than Mainland China, I bet. If you eat there once, I'm sure you'll want to go back there many, many more times. And after that fabulous meal, make sure you visit the Chinese Kali Temple and the Chinese School there and also pick up a copy of the local Chinese newspaper. The best time to go there is of course, the Chinese New Year.



Park Street:
Park Street has a life of it's own, which can not be described unless you take a walk down this very colorful, fabled and awesome street. Start at the Park Circus end. Have some Biryani at Shiraz, some firni at Arsalan and come to Mallick Bazar. Buy some sevaiyan from there, check out the Assembly of God Church building, the Marwari saree shops, the 17 schools on Park Street, St.Xavier's College and some of the best restaurants in Kolkata. If you love going to pubs and all... You're on the right location. Visit THE PARK hotel... If you hate loud music and dancing but love acoustic LIVE music performances visit SOMEPLACE ELSE.. It's the Mecca of Music in Kolkata... It's a platform for not only India's A grade musicians but also for the rookies out there in the city. There you can just sit back, get yourself a drink and enjoy the music.  Drop by the antique store, the Oxford Bookstore, Hobby Centre, Giggles - the knick knack shop. Grab a drink at Olypub. Experience Park Street.



Explore New Market: New Market! Hop into a taxi and tell him to take you to Lindsay Street. Just love this place! Best time to visit this place is during the Christmas! Will never ever forget this place. It's is another old favorite shopping destination of Kolkata. Here too, you'll find some of the most legendary stores of Old Calcutta. You will also find stores selling all sorts of imported cosmetics, pet food, clothes etc etc. Check out the Chinese leather stores where you can custom design your own genuine leather footwear. Buy silver trinkets form Chamba Lama and have cheese samosa made out of Jewish cheese at the Jewish bakery - Nahoum's. Try to have dinner at Aminia. It's old but still one of the best eateries of the City. If you can afford booking a room in a five star hotel, then do spend one night in The Oberoi Grand.


Take a tram ride:
This is a mode of transport you will find in no other Indian city. It runs on rails in the heart of the city, often blamed for holding up traffic. But the unadulterated old world charm accompanied by the rock bottom fares starting at Rs 3.50 has created the Tram it's own fan base. Best suited for a leisurely morning, try to hop on to one of those new trams as well. A tram ride from Maidan to Tollygunj on a rainy evening is the stuff dreams are made of.

Sources : Some from other websites and some from my memories.