The city of Joy!

It may be named after a novel but I believe it is the city of joy because people find happiness in every little thing... which varies in every dimension!

City of Joy, Capital of West Bengal, Formerly known as Calcutta.Yes, i am talking about Kolkata. 

An abrupt plan of travel to the city from Mumbai was just the work of an idle brain :) and yes, i just booked my tickets and left Mumbai very abruptly. 

I had till now just imagined about the city and seen it through the movies.. The British architecture, the big bungalows, the traditionally dressed Bengali woman.. It was just in my thoughts and it all seemed to be another world which was indeed very fascinating.

To my surprise, when i got there, the city had a different feeling all together. It was not just 'any' city with some architecture. It was one of the most beautiful cities i have been to.

As soon as i entered the city, the very first thing that caught my eyes was the famous Yellow cabs.

The old model of ambassador cars converted  to Cabs are one of the convenient public transport which are pocket friendly also. 

It was just one type of public transport out of so many that were available in the city. I got to see the Auto rickshaws, the underground metro, buses, hand pulled rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, Ferry and of course.. the Tram... Phew!! 

Hand pulled rickshaw-as seen in the old city

The ferry which connects Howrah to Kolkata and charges just Rs 5 for the ride is an experience not to be missed!

The one and only place in India where you can see a tram!

 As i had never seen a tram i was super excited to see it... so we specially went on a day just to take a ride of this heritage tram and trust me it was a fun filled experience.. one of its kind and once in a lifetime for those who do not stay here :)

The city looked so beautiful that i didn't want to miss out on anything and so the very next day me and my friend left the house to explore the city.

Since i had just jumped in out of nowhere, my friend who stays in Bhubaneshwar already had her own plans and had come to Kolkata for some sourcing (Ah! Yes.. she owns a brand and works for it). So i just tagged along... Our very first visit was the New Market on Lindsay Street.
It was earlier an enclosed market but now it has many more shops around.

Being the first day of exploration we wanted to have the famous "Puchkas" popularly known as gol gappas or pani puri... annnnd being a vegetarian foodie..it was something i would never want to miss out so as we stepped out of the metro station we just  hogged onto them... hmmm YUMM...simply amazing.. and very different from the pani puri of other places that i have had till now...

New Market at Lindsay street

We went on with the sourcing work and finished it by evening.. we had to go back.. super tired and exhausted.. we took the metro and got back home.

Next day i had called another friend of mine to visit the Dakhineshwar kali temple located on the eastern banks of river Hoogly. It was a little off the city so we had to drive there.

Goddess kali is widely worshiped in this city and holds a huge importance among the people there.

Dakhineshwar Kali temple

Ghat of Dakhineshwar temple (hoogly river- also called adi ganga) where people take holy bath

The temple was amazingly beautiful and very peaceful...
and then after the darshan we had these amazing aloo ki sabzi and kachori for breakfast :D 

Since it was end of April it was getting too hot in the day time so i just decided to relax at home in the afternoon...

In the evening me and my friend went to another place called the Burrabazaar (spelt as bara bazaar). It had the charm of the old calcutta...the one that i had seen in the movies..like i had imagined it would be..
It was amazing how one city had so many versions.. so many different views to look at..

Busy streets of Burrabazaar

Old architectural buildings in Burrabazaar

How can we miss the bhelpuri :)

 Burrabazaar (spelt as bara bazaar) is one of the largest wholesale markets of India!

 Our trip for the day ended with some fabric shopping and having the famous "Roshogulla" from one of the sweet shops in burrabazar.

Next morning we had a tight schedule as it was the second last day of our trip and we had to cover so many places..

The very first place that we went to was the famous "Indian Museum" which is the oldest and the largest museum in India. It was recently renovated and had the fresh paint smell and absolute white clean walls..

The Indian Museum

After seeing the museum, i realized that no matter how much you learn from the internet, see all the details and everything but nothing can beat the hands on experience.. the joy of seeing everything and remembering each and every detail is hardly possible through internet or the books..

We saw an array of beautiful textiles from the past.. ornaments and other items that are beyond explanation.

Begging bowl :)  Truly amazed to see such a beautiful and intricately designed begging bowl

Next destination was THE Victoria Memorial which is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria and is now turned into a museum. It was built after the queen died for people to remember the history!

We then moved on to the very famous temple of Kali.. the Kalighat temple after which the city was named 'Calcutta'. The small streets crowded with shopkeepers selling prasad was like a mini Kolkata was fitted in there.. feel of the entire city was squeezed in those small bylanes..

Streets around the Kalighat Temple of Goddess Kali

Man preparing mithai (sweets) for prasad

"Kulhar wali chai" - Tea in claypot which has a different aroma altogether.
Kulkar- Made of Clay are widely used for drinking tea.
Also, the claypots used are broken after usage.

After the tea how could we miss the shopping of sarees from Kolkata :) so we went to one of the stores and bought beautifully crafted sarees available in every color that you would have known.


Our Last destination on our last day of stay was none other than the famous Indian coffee house and we had to travel in the tram too :) so we just planned to have our dinner at the Indian coffee house.

The place was a meeting place for many poets, artists, writers & students. It is situated near the presidency college and is famously called as the coffee house at college street.

The building is old and looks very dilapidated yet it still holds its charm and is still the most famous coffee house.

Indian Coffee House 

Finally our journey of the day ended with a ride on the tram..and so i could cut one thing off my list :)

 View of tram from inside

I left the city the next day with beautiful memories and amazing history of the city..
On the way to the station and As i sat waiting for my train at the station... I saw one of the most amazing sites.. the night view of Howrah bridge

This site just completed the journey and i left the city with experiences of a lifetime!!
And i promised myself to come back as this city had much more to offer!

The Travel Bug!

It was all going fine.. the job after college.. fun times at the new office.. new friends.. first salary.. party with your first earning.. everything.. it was just going fine... until the travel bug caught the four of us...

All four of us were in the same city.. enjoying the new found freedom of self-dependence & self sufficient  life when suddenly we realized that we are getting old and we haven't seen much of the world as yet...we were just 21 then ;) :p

It was the new found freedom.. the new found enthusiasm to try everything & to see everything that we started our journey from exploring places.. from Delhi to Agra to many other...in short- we just went crazy wandering...

The bug had bitten us all so hard that we soon started planning to travel different countries :D

It was the new found love for knowing the country where we had lived all our lives and yet were unknown.

Our Sundays were pre-booked all the time... no excuses!! it had to be some place.. some 'new' place.

Rest of the week went by searching for places.. things that we had not done yet.. things we had not eaten yet.. From different types of tea in one part to different types of cuisine in another... we had no boundaries...

No place, no cuisine had to be left if we know about the place..

We got our own little world while we were bitten by the travel bug!!

Nothing compares to the beauty of nature and with friends around... its an added bonus.. I'll try to put up all our trip stories here for us to remember it life long :)

                                                  The four musketeers!

Mumbai Meri Jaan!!!

Mumbai!!!
The richest city in India, The seven Islands that came to constitute Bombay were home to communities of fishing colonies, A city that never Sleeps!!!

The name itself gives me so much of Energy... a feeling of being passionate.. a feeling of freedom... something which is like a memory for a lifetime.. The good, the bad, the weather, the atmosphere.. the air of Mumbai has it All...

And probably like everyone else.. my Mumbai journey starts with the Local train... Considered to be the lifeline of Mumbai..
The Mumbai Suburban Railways, as well as Indian Railways, are an offshoot of the first Railway to be built by the British in India in April 1853, and was also the oldest Railway system in Asia.

The Flora Fountain- Inspired from flora- The Roman Goddess of Flowers

Nariman Point- named after Khursheed Framji Nariman, a Parsi visionary, situated on the extreme southern tip of Marine Drive...
It has always been a pleasurable & memorable time sitting at the Marine drive or walking towards Nariman Point...

Rajabai Clock Towr- The Tower stands at a height of 85m (280ft). The Tower was closed to public after it became a frequent spot for those attempting to commit suicide.

The architecture of the city just mesmerizes you  in every possible way!! 

I am Awestruck!!! Just love it!!

View from one of the most beautiful parts of the city.. Cuffe Parade 

The iconic building of Taj!!

On the way to Colaba.. the Architecture is beautiful!!

Colaba Causeway!!

Mumbai Police Headquarters- One of the many beautiful buildings...

Most of the buildings built at the time of Britishers are now offices for Govt. owned companies.

On the Way... Capturing beautiful buildings!!!

Double decker bus.. which still runs in the city.. one experience that you must have :)

Gateway Of India- This Colonial symbol also became a sort of Epitaph: the last of the British ships that set sail for England left from the Gateway. (It was built to commemorate the visit of King George V & Queen Mary)

Though each and every thing about the city is special but there is one thing i just can't miss talking about... The celebrations... The festivals celebrated in this part of India is like Awesome!!! I have been a part of such celebrations... 

I decided to visit Ganpati Sthapana once and it was that time.. and since then i've visited the city thrice just to be a part of it... captivating new memories every time i go there.

Ganpati Sthapana is one of the most widely celebrated festivals of Maharashtra... and the decors of the city at that time says it all... 

This looooong Que was for the first Glance of Lal Bagh ka Raja.. locally called as "Lal Bagcha Raja".

Usually it starts a day or two in advance.. I was there @ 1am 

A much needed tea break... standing in the line at around 4am...

And finally the much awaited thing... Idol of Lal Bagh Ka Raja... It is supposed to be the biggest idol in Mumbai & it is a belief that you get whatever you ask for... 

The idol below is of Ganesh Galli where Ganesh Sthapana is the oldest of all.. around 83 years! (yr 2010)

It was 7 am in the morning when we finally decided to go back after the Darshan.

Next day when i stepped out.. it was a sight to see... 

The roads were colorful with people dancing around... It was time for Visarjana of the Ganesh Idol.. after 1 n a half day.

Rituals are being performed befor Ganesha Visarjana. It is a strong belief that Ganpati takes all our problems along with him as we immerse him into the water.. 

The chants of " Agle baras Jaldi aana" is to signify that since Ganesha brings along Joy & Happiness he should come a little early next year.

The Toli... 

Crowd during the first day of immersion!

The broken pieces.. 

Above are the true colors of Ganesha festival...

Agle baras Jaldi aana!!

Ganpati Bappa Morya!! Mangal Murti Morya!!

And the journey ended with a Lasagne @ candies and Tibetan food @ Seranya

Since then Mumbai has been an inseparable part of my memories!!