Kolkata (Calcutta) Guide

Raja Nabakrishna Deb (1733-1797) was considered to be "Calcutta's (now Kolkata) premier zamindar" during his time and his palace in Shobhabazar was thought of as the foremost in the list of North Calcutta's great houses. Originally built by Shobharam Ghosh in the early eighteenth century, Nabakrishna, came to own the property (at 33A Raja Nabakrishna Street ) in 1757. Raja Nabakrishna Deb  After acquiring the palace he did a series of alterations and renovations. The Thakurdalan was completed in just three months, in time for a lavish Durga Puja Festival. Such was the prominence of Nabakrishna in the North Calcutta society that other Durga Puja ceremonies could only begin after the firing of Nabakrishna's palace cannon.

Khelat Bhawan's Thakur Dalan             (Image courtesy Khelatbhawan.org) If anyone wants to experience the sheer elegance and class of the yesteryear Bengali aristocracy then the best way is to visit the mansions of the yesteryear Zamindars and Aristocrats in Kolkata... and the best time to do so is during the Durga pujas. The traditional household Pujas of Kolkata are also known as Bonedi Barir Pujo in Bengali. These traditional houses have actually preserved the culture and tradition. During Durga pujas these Bonedi (aristocratic) houses allow tourists to take part in the puja celebrations and see the Thakur Dalan ( Ceremonial Platform ) of these mansions & palaces. Since Durga puja is approaching I feel this is the right time to plan the itinerary of your visit to kolkata's traditional houses. West Bengal Tourism has some good tour packages for the same ( http://www.westbengaltourism.gov.in/web/guest/packages ). So you have to book in advance or else you can