A journey through Ancient Architecture- Puri and the City of Joy- Kolkata

Puri was always there in my wish list and was eager to visit that holy land from the time I watched ‘Blue Skies, Green Waters, Red Earth’, a famous Malayalam road thriller movie. After a 3-hour air time, I have reached Bhubaneswar and headed straight to Lingaraja temple, which is one of the oldest temples and largest one in the state. You gotta leave your phones, baggage and footwear outside in a rack as the place is meant to be sacred and captured only through human eyes! Kalinga architecture was explained by a Yogi and he led me through every turn of the shrine. I closely watched the mini sculptures carved on the walls of temple amidst throng religion devotees. After spending few hours, I took an auto to an offbeat location in Odisha- Pipili.

Pipili is a village in Odisha which is very famous for handcrafted products by the native artisans. I would say, by looks Pipili gives you a feeling of a colourful festival but I doubt if the craftsmen make a living out of it! If you ever get a chance to visit this village, make sure you purchase some of these artefacts. The next destination was Puri. Travelled in a local bus to Puri which was about 60 KM from pipili. The bus journey made me feel like a tourist as everybody was staring at me because of the accessories I was carrying around! :D The beach-view resort was soothing, so I decided to take a power nap, but later I called it a day.

I was in love with the bed, listening to the waves. Somehow got up around 5 AM and went to the Golden beach for witnessing the sunrise. Saw a lot of native people jogging and a few purveyors of Pearl! Even they tried to sell me some of it but I wasn’t the right customer. Have you ever heard of something like a heavenly road? Sun-Konark Marine drive won’t let you look at your mobile for about an hour. The marine drive’s one side was thick green forest and the other side is mer bleue sea! Imagine going on a two-wheeler through this road. I chose to travel in a local bus from Puri to Konark sun temple and the travel itself was a memorable one! I met skilful drivers who can drive without a wiper during a heavy rain. Saw old natives in traditional wears! What not, amidst the loud Odia language I myself kinda enjoyed their chit chats and jokes too! Laughing doesn’t have a language. Does it? and not to mention the bus itself was leaking and the best part was nobody gives a shit about it???? They still laugh!!

I had a bus to catch that night to Kolkata. Bid a Subidāẏa to Orissa and reached the famous old babughat in Kolkata the next day morning. The coming 3 days were planned well in advance as I didn’t want to leave any bit unseen. The great banyan tree must be familiar to most of you. The main trunk measured 50” in diameter before it was damaged in two cyclones. The way they preserve it is speechless. The next destination was the marble palace- Victoria Memorial. It is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria (1819–1901) and is now a museum and tourist destination. This palace was built by Lord Curzon who was the viceroy of India back then, for the memory of Queen’s reign over our country for 25 years. People were busy taking photos, selfies and I met a guy who was sitting under a tree shade, drawing the very own Palace. Somehow part of Kolkata was giving me European touch. I walked towards the gothic architecture cathedral- St. Paul’s, which was built during 1839. The cloudy atmosphere along with the cathedral’s gigantic architecture with a height of 201 ft seemed like a Hollywood set for a horror movie. As MP Birla planetarium was nearby, I paid a visit to travel back to astronomy classes during my high school days.

Here comes the next off beat location in this trip, Kumartuli – a traditional potters’ quarter. While arriving at this place, I didn’t know that every nook ’N’ corner had surprises awaiting. Saw a few veterans crafting idols for the upcoming fests while few other old-hands enjoying the dots and snow from an 8” CRT monitor. Imperial museum comes next in the itinerary. It is the 9th oldest museums worldwide and many of the fossils didn’t seem like existed on this planet! I always wanted to visit the sacred tomb of the saint who taught us ‘Peace begins with a smile’ and I was blessed to interact with few of the Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nuns and missionaries. I was so content walking though the sacred pathway and chapel where Saint Mother Teresa once lived and living in everyone’s heart now.

How does it feel to spend an evening at a graveyard? The Park Street Cemetery is one of the earliest non-church cemeteries in the world with graves dating back to the late 1767. This cemetery is amidst a crowded town with big trees paving the boundary. Beyond these trees we can see the man-made constructions which made me think about the bible verse- ‘you are dust, and to dust you shall return’. Life has no certainty!

Bengali people has one of the richest and dynamic history in the Indian cooking world. According to them, all the foods are in vain because a lunch without fish is of no pleasure. I was drooling over the meal served with the super tasty Sorshe Ilish and Chingri Macher Malai Curry, Rosogullas and Chomchom.

There is a real beauty in the bank of the Hooghly river- Princep Ghat, which was built during early 1800’s and considered to be a spot for the people who love to spend their evening out. The bridge is lit up after sunset and you won’t get bored watching it for an hourglass of time! It’s good to sip a beer once in a while, enjoying the night view of lit up Howrah Bridge being the guest of India’s first floating hotel- Floatel. With a body full of booze and mind full of next day’s plan, I went back to my sojourn!

One can’t miss the heritage Tram ride which reminds the old Kolkata. Found it a bit difficult to get the schedule of the tram online but locals were always there for the rescue. :D It amused me how the motor vehicles are keeping the sync with the tram on the busy road! Belur Math and Kali temple are architecture marvellous but too much crowded with the devotees. Still the boat ride through the Hooghly River was unforgettable.

My last destination was ‘Mother’s wax museum’ but had to add one more location to my list after reaching New Town- Eco Park. Kolkata was giving surprises all the way down from day one. Eco Park was the last one during my three day trip which had all the miniatures of ‘wonders of the world’ . Wish I had more time to spend in Kolkata and always had the feeling of an incomplete journey for the first time in my life. My flight was scheduled to Bangalore and luckily got transferred to business class and was at a comfort of extra leg room for three hours! ;) Till next time, adios amigos (cheers)