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Kolkata is eponymous with Durga Puja no doubt, but there is more to this vibrant city, offering visitors an array of cultural experiences. So take a look around the city, enjoy its heritage and cosmopolitan history. Stop and marvel at the city's architectural heritage, from colonial relics to modern structures and savour its street food or simply enjoy an outing in a verdant vista.
While the crowd veers towards 'pandal hopping', you may enjoy a relaxed visit to the famous landmarks of Kolkata, most of which remain open during Durga Puja except on the day of Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami) and their scheduled closing days. Avail the online ticket booking facility to save time. Some of the landmarks that you may visit are The Indian Museum, Victoria Memorial Hall (even though the museum may be closed on designated days, the garden remains open every day; ticketed entry), St. Paul's Cathedral, St John's Church, Nakhoda Mosque, the Chinese Temples, etc.
Although this can be part of your landmarks tour itinerary, the business district of Kolkata deserves a separate tour by itself. Take an early morning walk around Benoy Badal Dinesh Bagh (BBD Bagh, formerly Dalhousie Square) to take a look at the heritage buildings, including the Governor House, General Post Office, Royal Insurance Building,teh Writers' Building etc. You may not be able to enter some of the buildings but you may enjoy the colonial architecture from outside.
Flowing to the west of Kolkata, the Hooghly River (as the Ganga is known along the last stretch before it flows out to the Bay of Bengal) looks sluggish. But do not forget that it was this river that had a key role to play in the making of modern Indian history, trade and commerce. The river bank is dotted with several ghats and jetties. Take an early morning exploratory walk along the bank and watch the city waking up. At one end is the 1883-built Palladian porch of Prinsep Ghat, built in honour of scholar and antiquary James Prinsep. A landscaped pathway leads northwards from here. In the middle of the long river bank is the Strand and the Millenium Park. At the end near the Howrah Bridge is the 130-year old Mullickghat Flower Market, said to be one of Asia's largest flower markets. Photography enthusiasts will find it an interesting place if they can manage through the crowd and the wet muddy path. Or, be there in the late afternoon, to see the sun going down in the river. You may also enjoy a late afternoon ride on a country boat ride. At night, the lit up bridges over the river (the Howrah Bridge and the Vidyasagar Setu) twinkle against the dark sky.
Heritage and cultural walks conducted by various organisations is a good opportunity to learn about the city's layered existence. Kolkata has been home to various communities such as the Chinese, Parsi, Jewish and Armenians. Some of the curated walks include the buildings which carry the legacy of these communities. You may also enjoy curated food walks. Some of the popular groups leading the walks are Calcutta Walks, Immersive Trails, Kolkata Explorers, Fun On Streets, etc.
Tucked away in the upcoming New Town-Rajarhat area on the eastern fringes of the city is this sprawling verdant space, complete with waterbodies, eateries, and various attractions. Popularly known as the 'ecopark', attractions include water sports, butterfly garden, sculpture garden, lakefront promenade, mask garden, musical fountain, tea garden, Seven Wonders Park, etc. The Eco Island contains cottages for staying and two restaurants, one of which is designed like a Kerala boat house. Entry charges apply. Park is closed on Mondays.
