Kolkata..!!

If horseley hills is the place most remembered by me, Kolkata is next as it's recent. Pretty hot city with heavy traffic. Unpleasant first impression. Room was booked in hotel near Howrah station & its about one and half hour journey from Airport. Taxi was just like a solar pressure cooker. Thing fascinated me on the way was the city bus which looked like of 1970's model.

"isnt it looking retro??"

Howrah bridge really looked amazing with huge structure and trusses. Howrah station was of old model. Tab yaad aaya, Kolkata & Chennai capitals since British period.

"two views of howrah bridge.. inset is inner view while crossing it.. this snap took later in the evening.. you are not supposed to stop there for taking pictures it seems"

The first place to visit was Birla Planetorium, hindi show. Nothing different from any other planetorium. And later St.Paul's Cathedral. Its beautiful old church with pleasant surroundings.

We started for Victoria Memorial. It is a magnificent white building in a huge area with garden and a water body. Museum closed by 5. Opposite the monument is a big ground(may be called park). Horse-carts all-over fantasizing me and luring my royal sense [:P] . Next hault at Kali temple, place Kolkata mainly famous for. Driver ji informed us before-hand the attack of Pandits as we enter that temple premises. Escaping them we got into temple queue. Temple doesn't match your imagination(if you had any) with prior knowledge of its importance in Kolkata. Its a small temple, Garbha griha which cant stand a crowd more than 30-40 people. I was little scared awaiting to see a fierceful and violent deity. But the main idol and chamber around covered totally with flowers and hardly could have a sacred gaze of Kali matha. (bas matha ki jaban dekh sakte hai). As we were out my sister found with the red hibiscus garland given by the pandit. Later its understood that he pulled of the money from her which she was supposed drop in the hundi. Thing you oughta buy from that place is red & white bangles, typical of Bengali culture which goes with their traditional red & white saree. If possible don't miss few beautiful hangings used for decorative purpose. Shopping done at the place called new market. Visual treat for ladies, not much for girls. Dinner at a south Indian hotel ends the first day in Kolkata.

Next day we started late. Change of vehicle due to convenient purpose and the driver now Pramod Kumar Bhagat was a former guide. We got washed away in his eloquence. He described the position of development in West Bengal because of the communist administration for decades. We were on the way to Dakshineshwar temple crossing G.T.Road, Grand Trunk Road which used to be wide enough for 20 horses to ride side by side, as told by Devanand ji (our driver).

"Traffic of G.T.Road"

As we reached Dakshineshwar temple, mid-summer and time when shadow couldn't be cast without footwear. Temple is a newer one, bigger one with main deity Kali. Comfortable sacred gaze, except for the blisters my sister got. There was Hanuman temple & Hooghley flowing near-by but couldn't make it being a sunny day.


After lunch, we started for Belur Math, largest of all Rama Krishna mission Maths. Adjectives pleasant, silent, peaceful, serene explain everything about the place. The place includes temples of Rama Krishna Paramahamsa, Sharada Devi, other people who contributed for the movement and a museum which got all the personal belongings of them. Main temple in the premises is Ramakrishna Paramahamsa's. Its of North Indian style raised on a 4 feet platform, Mandapa, Mahamandapa, Garbha Griha axially placed, amalaka with elements like eave, cusped arch (sorry, just influence of my Indian Art course). This lies on the banks of Hooghley. There was the house where Swamy Vivekananda lived. Everything was protected and restored carefully. Photography strictly prohibited.

to be continued...