It was a go not to go trip as I was in Balasore (Odisha) for an exam and after that i was confused between Puri & Kolkata, and it ends on going Kolkata. Kolkata is 249km from Balasore. So as there was no direct bus between Balasore to Kolkata, So train was the only option I had. By train it took 3 hours. As train was late i reached late 12:30 am at Howrah station.
After reaching there first thing in my mind was where the hell I am now. Although am from Delhi but that type of crowd I watched for the first time. Howrah station is different in itself. However I managed to get off from station. What I had always imagined was in front of my eyes. The yellow iconic taxi, Howrah bridge etc. Then I was in search of a cheap lodge, hotel but it was tough to find. It was 2 am and they demanded 700 for 5 hours. In search of hotel first I was at the backside of Howrah Bus stand. The area was not so fine. Then I also tried IRCTC lodge but as i hadnt booked my return ticket they refused to give me any place. Then I finally decided to go Kolkata side and left for Sealdah Station without any hope of getting lodge there too. At 3 am I was there the cab driver insisted me a place where i can get cheap rooms but that was like Red light area.
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Women( having bit makeup and dark lipsticks) were standing beside roads where loading and unloading for goods and fishes were being. I was bit scared as it was my first experience. Finally I returned back to Sealdah Station to spend my night. At station I again tried for Dormitory of IRCTC. They said ok and I was happy. Althought they demanded 1400 for 2 nights but I managed it for 900. Then I got my bed and it was like heaven. I was thinking that Kolkata has impressed me in the initial 2 hours of my trip.
Had a great sleep of 7 hours and next morning as I wake up at 10am. My plan was to visit Belur Math and Dakshineshwar Temple. I love walking on unknown street in unknown city. As soon as I hit the road I got to know that there are bar on walking on some of the roads in Kolkata. Suddenly a guy from Kolkata Police said that you are not allowed to walk on the road and I was like what the F***!!!!
but sooner i got to understand that its a good work.
The very first place I visited in Kolkata was INDIAN CAFFE HOUSE which is in college street as I had shortlisted this place before 4 month. Kolkata's Indian Coffee House is a nostalgic 'Adda' for not only the students around but also the office goers and intellectuals of Kolkata.
From their I went to Dakshineshwar Kali Temple by loacal transport+ walk+ ferry . Kolkata is a cheap place food, Transportation, cloth etc are available in cheap cost. From there i visited Belur Math. Such a great place with positive vibes. I spent more than 3 hrs there. Its great to sit at the bank of river Hugli. From there I took a bus till Howrah bus stand and then I started walking towards Kolkata. Walking on the Howrah Bridge over Hugli river was a life time experience for me. As it was around 7 pm and large amount of people coming from office(kolkata to howrah side).
Then I walked through badabazar market, college street had some street food like Pani puri, Chicken roll and then Biryani. And then I took a Tram from there to Sealdah and I was on my dormitory bed at 10 pm.
Next morning It was raining outside but I have to go outside to watch the city so I decided to leave early and I left my dormitory at 7 am, as my train was at 7 pm in evening from Howrah so I decided to put my luggage in Cloak Room. I had a nice morning walk and then i was again at Indian Caffe House. My old friend was there to meet me. We had our breakfast and then I left for Victoria Memorial.
I took a Tram, Metro till MAIDAN and then a little walk till Victoria Memorial. Being genuine Victoria needs minimum of 2 hours to expolre but as I mentioned I had to catch my train so I decided to go Park Street first.I did some shopping in park street, took sweets from Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick Sweets and then I left for Howrah Junction.
In short I will say that for a city like Kolkata you have to spent a minimum of 3-4 days. I had a life time experience. Aim of life is to travel more as much as I can. Have to meet new people,having different taste, new city , unknown people and many more. See everywhere nice people are waiting for you. All you have to do is to walk towards them with a smiling face. Everywhere there are 5 % of people who are not in our comfort zone and we can watch them in news channels too, rest 95% are the best you will ever meet. JAI HIND
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