Kolkata (Calcutta) Guide

If you happen to be in Barrackpore and wish to have "Heenger Kochuri" and "Chholar Daal" then don't think twice... head straight to Joluaa'r Dokan (Joluaa's Shop) opposite Barrackpore railway station. The actual name of this place is Satyanarayan Mishtanna Bhandar but it is popularly known as Jolua'r Dokan... Jolua being the nick name of its founder.

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 ...

Whenever I visit College Street I make it a point to visit Paramount - the one-stop shop for sherbets in Kolkata (Calcutta). Paramount is a 94 years old sherbet joint that boasts of a rich heritage that very few places in the city can match up to. It is declared as a Heritage building/shop by Kolkata (Calcutta) Municipal Corporation.