The city of joy
Kolkata, the City of Joy, welcomed me for a 4 day stay. Though the heavy rains and a short spell of fever slowed me down, I still managed to explore the city's charm over two solid travel days.
Tram Rides & Street Food Kicks
My first outing began with something uniquely Kolkata the tram. We boarded from near Esplanade New Market, one of the few remaining operational tram routes in the city. The ride was slow and scenic, perfect for soaking in the vintage Kolkata mood. It cost the same as a bus ticket and gave me the same vibe you'd get watching a slow-travel movie.
After getting off at one of the stops, hunger kicked in. Right on time, we spotted a place called Lazzat, a multi-cuisine restaurant. We ordered Mongolian Fried Chicken and Blue Lagoon refreshing and filling, just what we needed for our next spot.
Howrah Bridge
From Lazzat, we took a cab straight to Mallick Ghat, which gave us a stunning night view of Howrah Bridge in all its fluorescent glory. After soaking it in for a bit, we walked over the bridge crossing the mighty Hooghly river on one of the world’s longest cantilever bridges, built without nuts or bolts, just rivets. Insane, right?
Once we crossed over to the other side, I bid goodbye to my college friend and took a bus back to my hotel in Sealdah.
Victoria Memorial and St Paul Cathedral
Next morning, I started early with a quick breakfast puri and chai. First stop: Victoria Memorial. Entry to the garden was ₹20 and museum ₹30 (for Indian citizens), but I visited on a Monday, which meant the museum was closed. So I spent time walking around the monument, admiring its white marble beauty and British-era architecture.
It still felt satisfying to stroll the massive lawns and take in the detailed carvings. The view was postcard-perfect.
After Memorial I went straight to cathedral to experience the divine energy and gothic architecture .I was in complete awe while attending one of the choir sessions ,the architecture and vibe of the church is something else entirely .There is a ticket of 5rs to enter the church.
Birla Planetarium
My next stop was Birla Planetarium for the 1 PM English show. The ticket was ₹110, and while waiting in line, I grabbed a soda shikanji a street classic.
Quick Info - Tickets can be booked at the counter or via their [official site](Check Show Timings)
The show, around 40–45 minutes long, took us through stars, planets, and the vastness of space. Inside, models and infographics explained everything from constellations to black holes. Also One highlight was a fun machine that shows your weight on different planets!
It was informative, fascinating, and truly humbling to see how small we are in the grand universe.
Rolls, Reads & Retail
After coming out, it was time for the legendary Kolkata roll crispy, flavourful, and living up to the hype!
Then I headed to the Indian Museum the oldest museum in India. Though tired, I explored parts of it and spent more time in the bustling market around Esplanade. Surprisingly, the area had some amazing secondhand bookstalls with self-help books, anime collections, and bookmarks.
After a bit of shopping and last-minute packing, I checked out and headed towards Howrah Station, officially ending my Kolkata chapter.
Locations from Kolkata Trip
* Esplande Tram Terminal - Map
* Mallick Ghat - Map
* Howrah Bridge - Map
* Indian Museum - Map
* Victoria Memorial - Map
* Birla Planetarium - Map
* St Paul Cathedral - Map
