Musings of a travelbug

Books interest me, but I’m not a dedicated reader. However, I’ve traced my fingers through the pages of the books written by the great Rabindranath Tagore and Madhavi kutty.

The works of these authors sparked a desire in me to explore Kolkata. The depiction of the places inspired me to visit the land of cultures and I felt the soul of writers on every wall that stood up!

And who never wants to taste the matka chai? Yes, I marked them down on my bucket list!

I started my journey with a great desire to walk the streets I dreamed of.

While you step out of the airport the first thing that grabs your attention is the famous yellow taxis of Kolkata reflecting the aesthetics of Bollywood movies. It’s a surreal experience and the movie frames reels right in front of you.

Park street!

Coming from Kerala and walking through the packed streets witnessing the big mansions and old structures is quite overwhelming and hectic. But looking at the other side I believe the charm of the city lies in those streets and history echoes when I take each step forward. It hasn’t forgotten its root.

The views I saw there were amazing. Perhaps because it had been a long-awaited trip, I was filled with joy. I observed the old structures, the people, and the small shops curiously.

I initially stopped by a store for matka chai and barley cookies. I asked the seller about the history of matka chai, satisfied that I had crossed something off my bucket list. He told me it’s called a “bhar”.

The sweet, milky tea that is sold on the streets of Kolkata is served in handmade clay cups called “bhar”. Earlier chai was served in these clay cups everywhere. But plastic has quickly taken the place of clay. However, Kolkata managed to carry on this tradition.

The same goes for the hand-pulled rickshaws here. It is considered as British legacy in Kolkata’s colonial treasure.

Since the late 19th century, hand-pulled rickshaws have been roaming the streets of Kolkata.

It’s an incredible sight to see them go with this rickshaw amidst these huge buildings and vehicles.

Walking down the Park Street that Madhavikutty expounded on in her collection of memoirs, I felt like I was living in her writings.

I explored Dharmatala market, a well-known place where you can get all kinds of clothes, shoes and many more. I collected some souvenirs.

Prinsep Ghat!

To get away from the busy streets and enjoy a few moments of my own, I made my way to Prinsep Ghat.

I sat there and the magnificent view of Vidyasagar bridge awed me.

I set out on a boat trip down the Hooghly River in the hope of getting a better look at it. Those were snapshots of harmony.

Howrah Bridge!

Howrah bridge is another beautiful sight that I want to see in Kolkata. Howrah bridge is bigger and surprisingly lovely.

The Howrah Bridge, a massive steel bridge over the Hooghly River, connects Howrah and Kolkata. It is also referred to as Rabindra Setu.

I wondered about the majesty of the bridge, which is strong enough to carry so many people and vehicles, and the human ability to make it happen.

Victoria Memorial!

I couldn’t end the trip without seeing the enchanting marble structure, Victoria Memorial.

The white-clad marble structure was beautiful, reminiscent of Queen Victoria. This iconic structure brings great beauty to Kolkata, the city of joy.

Leaving many more places to go, I returned home. It saddens me that I was only able to spend a few days in this lovely place away from the hustle and bustle.

Crowded streets, rushing people, and noisy vehicles have sometimes baffled me. But the sights and dreams this city has given me are so great.

Be that as it may, Kolkata has become a very dear place for me.