Venue: Kolkata
Delhi to Kolkata flight is barely two hours. Yet it is so different in character – it is a whole new world – or shall we say a whole old world. Here is what a Delhiite makes of Kolkata on his maiden visit.
Contents
Sticky Weather
Say hello to the sticky, moist, heavy air the moment you step out of the plane at Dumdum airport at Kolkata. It is close to the sea and weather in Kolkata is muggy around the year.
(No) Udibaba
Not everybody says “udibaba” as opposed to how it’s commonly shown in Bollywood films. You may end up saying “Udibaba” yourself when you see a train like tram in Kolkata running in the middle of a road. Rumor has it, Kolkata trams are going to be converted to AC trams soon.
Mishti
Every nook and corner has a sweet shop and mithai is generally not sold in kilos. Most of the sweets are priced per piece. Sweets in Kolkata are incredibly affordable. Rs. 5 – 10 is common price for a piece of Sondesh in Kolkata and it’s extremely tasty. Like they say “Everything is a little sweeter in Bengal”.
Happy Durga Puja ??
No, they don’t say that in Kolkata very often. It’s not like how it is in Delhi when you say Happy Diwali to everyone during the festival. Even Happy Pujo won’t cut it. You say nothing during Pujo, just go out with buddies and watch in awe, all these beautiful pandals. Post Dusshera, the classical greeting in Kolkata is “Shubho Bijoya”.
What….No Frooti or Cadbury gift packs?
Only three kind of gifts are the best gifts for Durga Puja. – 1. Clothes, 2. Clothes and 3. Clothes. Unlike Delhi, there is no concept of fancy gift boxes of juices, cookies and chocolates being exchanged. Save it for other time of the year. Clothes, or money for buying clothes are the only and traditional gift items for Pujo.
Give me Yellow
Taxi (alright… ok… cab) culture has caught in Delhi NCR in last few years but it has been a regular and affordable mode of transport in Kolkata for almost forever. Though AC OLAs and UBERs have swamped the city now, you hail a reliable and cheap yellow taxi and hop on to experience the real Kolkata.
Devi on the road
Unlike Delhi, girls are not going to give you THAT LOOK if men accidentally touch them in a crowded Durga Puja Pandal. The whole city is out for Pendal hopping during Durga Puja. Specially, famous Durga Puja Pandals in Kolkata get a lot of visitors. It is unavoidable to accidentally touch each other. Women here don’t label you a pervert for that. Way to go, Durga!
The Old World Charm
Kolkata has still retained it’s old world charm. The houses, streets and bazaars will remind a Delhiite, of Delhi that used to be. Life seems easier and less challenging in this city. Kolkata is City of Joy they say!
Simple men
People in Kolkata are relatively less conscious about their looks. Women are fashionable everywhere but men in Kolkata are way simpler than in Delhi. Mens Fashion in Kolkata (for a regular guy on the streets) is limited to simple plain shirts or tshirts and trousers. Though as a norm everybody wear new clothes during the festival. Men buy new Kurtas for Durga Puja.
(No) Ice ice baby
Kolkata doesn’t have a culture of boozing in cars – nobody knows tailgate parties here. No wonder we didn’t get ice cubes for our whiskey here. Since pubs and bars in Kolkata are way cheaper, guys don’t need to do their “own” arrangements.
Hope this post works as an ice-breaker for a trip to Kolkata. It is fun and very holiday with loads to dos packed in. The city definitely works better for you if you are with a local.
I really enjoyed reading this. My ancestors are from Kolkata but I have been brought up in Delhi. So I was really interested in knowing your point of view. You enjoyed more as you were with Bedabrata. Beautifully summed up.
Awesome post. I can relate with this. I have visited Kolkata for a wedding ceremony and felt the same. But I must say beautiful city and people.
Almost felt that I was taking a virtual tour of Kolkata with you. Such an amazing post with beautiful pictures. Kolkata is on my bucket list this year. Will definitely travel, once the situation improves.
When I visited Kolkata, my experience was different too. All the things I had been hearing were not something I experienced. The city was amazing and interesting. The scenes looked out of an old book or something.
We love the city for everything it has to appears. It is such a contrast to Delhi and so much fun.
I loved this post as it is kind of nostalgic to me. Durgapuja and Bengal are just apt for me and being a Bengali all these vibes are the main parts of the puja. Well, informative and great post.
Good we have your stamp your approval 😀
Nice and refreshing post about Kolkata. Also nice to see you exploding some of the common myths forged by the stereotypes of Bollywood, like the “Udibaba”, one. Sandy N Vyjay
I have different view for kolkata. We have struggle a lot for proper kolkata cusinie. I thought people will sweet like rasgulla but people are rude, unfriendly and not helpful. I don’t know ,it’s my luck that i meet such people.
Oh! Come with us sometime.
Your post is like a window to Kolkata for me. I have never been to Kolkata and I now know what I have been missing. Can’t wait to strike it off my bucket list this year 🙂
Let us know what you think.
One of my closest friend is a Bengali and we had plans of visiting there in summer but then pandemic hit. I wana go there for the sweets and beautiful Bengali print clothes.
You can go for the tram-rides too.
Oh I have been waiting from so long to explore Kolkata. I am also a delhite and I can’t wait to visit Kolkata. Your blog has motivated me more
Thanks. This is the season to visit Kolkata 🙂
It was good to read about my city from a Delhite’s eyes. I am glad that you liked Kolkata and specially your views about women in the city, not viewing everyone as perverts, if accidentally touched.
Oh we love Kolkata.. 🙂