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Like every other city, Kolkata too has its own heritage and culture. And food is definitely an integral part of it. With fusion foods and restaurants opening doors in the city, the food lovers still swear by the taste of certain legendary eateries in town. So, here are few of the iconic restaurants that one must look out for.
Indian Coffee House, College Street
Image Courtesy: Ayandrali Dutta
We all may know that College Street is the largest market for books in Asia. And amidst the chaotic lanes and many prestigious institutions stands the Indian Coffee House. More than food, it’s about experiencing a place that has popularised the adda culture in this part of the country. The typical British-style architecture, with high ceilings and spread across two levels, of the coffee house has its own charm that never fades. Coming to the food ,there are decent choices on offer, including Mutton Sandwiches (Rs 55), Baked Fish (Rs 70), Chicken Omelette (Rs 50), Moglai Paratha (Rs 50) and, of course, Hot Coffee (Rs 20).
Price: Rs 200 for two
Timings: 9 am to 9 pm
Flury’s, Park Street
Now into its 90th year, Flury’s has been one of those treasured gems, which has put the city on the country’s culinary map. There’s no substitute for this place when it comes to ambience. The well-spread tables across a huge hall, regal chandeliers, black-and-white chequered tiles and a huge glass wall overlooking the main street weave together a magical atmosphere. And if you happen to be there on a rainy day, then you are in luck! Watch the city in action, run around trying to seek shelter from the rains, from the inside while sipping on your hot chocolate. From breakfast to light bites, the menu at Flury’s does justice to its patrons. You could choose from French Toast (Rs 303), Beans on Toast (Rs 253), Chicken and Mushroom Quiche (Rs 44) and Grilled Chicken Steak served with Grilled Vegetables and Hot Tomato Salsa (Rs 495), among others.
Price: Rs 1,300 for two
Timings: 7.30 am to 9.45 pm
Nizam’s, Hogg Street
Today when we talk about the city’s street food culture, rolls top the list. And it was Nizam’s that was responsible for making this dish famous. Started back in early 1930s, Nizam’s has been synonymous with rolls, apart from other Mughlai dishes it offers. There isn’t much to say about the ambience – it comprises old-style dining halls and basic seating arrangements. Being located in the New Market area, which is again one of the oldest markets of the city, adds to the overall old-world appeal. Some of the must-try rolls include Mutton Tikia Roll (Rs 70), Double Chicken Roll (Rs 70), Single Egg Double Mutton Roll (Rs 80) and Double Egg Roll (Rs 40). Other than these, there are Cheese Nizam’s Special Kabab (Rs 190), Mutton Barra Kabab (Rs 120), Chicken Kathi Kabab (Rs 130) and Murgh Akbari (Rs 320), to name a few.
Price: Rs 500 for two
Timings: 10 am to 11 pm
Olypub, Park Street
Image Courtesy: Ayandrali Dutta
The food scene at Park Street is always buzzing. And amidst all the action, there’s Olypub, where finding a seat easily is difficult even on a weekday. Started around the time of India’s independence, the Continental-serving eatery was started as Olympia Bar; the name was later changed to Olypub. There are seating options on the ground floor and mezzanine floor with some authentic European fare on the menu. The dishes on offer include Chicken A La Kiev (Rs 180), Chateau Brian Beef Steak (Rs 205), Hamburger Mutton Steak (Rs 205) and Chicken Liver (Rs 150), among others.
Price: Rs 800 for two
Timings: 11 am to 11 pm
Mitra Café, Shobhabazar
North Kolkata is one of the oldest parts of the city and most of the rajbaris are located in this area. Today, the locality is a busy neighbourhood with some culinary gems still serving sumptuous delicacies, and Mitra Café happens to be one of them. It has nothing in common with the new-age cafes serving sandwiches and coffees with fancy names, so you have been warned. Mitra Café is all about classic snacks that have been loved by generations of foodies. Gorge on the signature dishes that include Chicken Kabiraji (Rs 90), Fish Diamond Fry (Rs 90), Mutton Chop (Rs 25) and Prawn Afgani (Rs 130). Despite being over a century old, this place continues to woo the food lovers with its timeless taste.
Price: Rs 400 for two
Timings: 7 am to 9.30 am and 5 pm to 10.30 pm
Royal Indian Hotel, Rabindra Sarani
It won’t be incorrect to say that biryani is a hot favourite among food lovers. Kolkata biryani, with the addition of potatoes in the dish, has gone down more than well with the food aficionados, as a result of which many eateries even today stick to the age-old recipe. But not Royal Indian Hotel – started in early 20th century, the restaurant till date serves an authentic preparation of Awadhi biryani sans the aloo, just like the Nawabs like it. Nestled in the bustling market area of Chitpur, the restaurant sees people flocking here despite the traffic. The food makes up for the raw interiors, and you just cannot go wrong with Royal Mutton Biryani (Rs 160), Mutton Pasinda Kabab (Rs 180), Royal Mutton Chaanp (Rs 150), Chicken Qalia (Rs 145) and Nargisi Kofta (Rs 120). Keep some space for the Firni (Rs 40) as just eating one of them won’t suffice.
Price: Rs 600 for two
Timings: 10 am to 11.30 pm
Saldanha Bakery and Confectionery, Wellesley
When a business is being carried on by the third generation of the family, you know they’re doing it right. Saldanha Bakery, started in 1930 by Late Ignatius Saldanha, still offers an assortment of baked goodies from its takeaway counter in Wellesley. Some of the options include Walnut Cake (Rs 220 per pound), Fruit Cake (Rs 250 per pound), Almond Iced Fruit Cake (Rs 34 per slice), Coconut Macaroons (Rs 20), Chicken Patties (Rs 20), Cheese Puff (Rs 20) and Chicken Envelope (Rs 30), among others.
Price: Rs 300 for two
Timings: 8 am to 9pm
Written and Directed by: Chandan Sen
Cast: Indira Ghosh,Debshankar Haldar, Aditya Lahiri, Koushik Ghosh, Tapan Biswas, Sankari Majumder, Swapan Singha Roy
Eepsa is a play about the strange passion of a 75-year-old peasant peasant, who is obsessed about producing new kinds of crops in his own lands and also producing offspring with his women. This series of events and marriages, leads the old peasent towards a horrible ending where he feuds with his own son over the birth of a newborn baby. His current wife, a 25 year old girl, fumbles over the question of the child#39;s paternity. The youngest son of the peasant, who nurtured the memory of his dead mother, now seeks revenge on his father.
Tickets: Rs 100, 200
Tickets available on Boomyshow.com
Directed by: Debashish Ray
Written by: Bratya Basu
Cast: Snejuti Mukhopadhyay,Goutam Halder, Atanu Mitra and Sumit Kumar Roy among others.
Ilaa Gurhaishaa is a Bengali play that narrates the tale about the uprising of king Birnarayan in kachbihar district that happened in the year 1621.The story of the play traces the life, jobstaces and the unfortunate tragedy of the king by highlighting several incidents through pages of history. The political drama depicts various human emotions and the narrates the tale of the journey of the king.
Tickets: Rs 100
Tickets available on Expalra.in
Directed by: Prantik Choudhury
Meghe Dhaka Tara is a Bengali play based on the classic movie by the same name. The story evolves around Nita who is love with Sanat whom she cannot marry because of her family responsibilities. Nita#39;s father gets a paralysis attack and the enire repsonsibility of the fmaily comes on her shoulder which makes it all the more difficult for Nita to marry Sanat. The stroy takes an drastic turn when Nita is found to be suffering from TB. She is taken to a sanatorium where she dies in spite of her desire to live.
Tickets: Rs 100
Tickets available on Explara.in
Experience the arts and culture of Bihar as Academy of Fine Arts will host Bidesia, folk theatre form of Bihar. This particular dance form is a masterpiece by Bhikhari Thakur, a popular playwright from Bihar. The dance-theatre showcases the contemporary story of Migration of villagers with folk dance and songs. This particular theatre has been staged more than 600 times in almost every renowned theatre festival of India including Prihvi Theatre Festival, Bharangam and Nandikar.
Tickets: Rs 100
Tickets available on Explara.in
Head to Roxy and enjoy the night with pulsating music as the Elektrovertz will be playing live at the venue. The Australian DJ duo, now based in Mumbai, will be chruning out the best of EDM numbers. They are known to produce their own mixes and have performed at venues including London, Australia, Spain, Switzerland, Mexico, Dubai and the Maldives. Simply enjoy your weekends with the best of music, food and drinks on offer.
What Chefs Eat is our monthly series featuring the best toque bearers from across India as well as the globe. A behind-the-scenes chat with the men and women who have us eating out of their hands, it focuses on what they dine on (in and out of their own kitchens).
In this edition, we get into a conversation with Vikas Kumar, the executive chef at Flury’s, one of the culinary gems of the city. He started his career as a management trainee and later worked with some of the best luxury cruise liners, including the legendary Queen Elizabeth, named after the British monarch. After serving some really famous personalities – and we mean famous like Her Majesty, the Queen of England kind – he has been the managing the kitchen at Flury’s for more than half a decade now.
WH: When did you know you wanted to be a chef?
Vikas: I guess I was always fascinated by the importance food and cooking had in our lives, especially in joint families where I grew up. However, I considered it on a professional level in my second year of studying hotel management at Institute of Hotel Management, Kolkata, while I was doing industrial training.
WH: What was the first thing you ever cooked?
Vikas: I used to try out new recipes with my sister at home. But the first proper dish I cooked was a Goan fish curry in my first food production class at IHM.
WH: What do you love most about your job?
Vikas: The most satisfying part about this job is that you are able to make others feel special and bring happiness to their lives by giving them memories to cherish.
WH: What do you usually eat on a normal day?
Vikas: I have grown up in a strictly vegetarian family, although I am non-vegetarian. While at work, I eat whatever is available but I always prefer simple, home-cooked vegetarian meals.
WH: What ingredients will we always find in your kitchen?
Vikas: In my kitchen you’ll always find lots of seasonal vegetables, fruits, chocolates and pastas.
WH: What cuisine do you like to cook for friends when they come home for dinner?
Vikas: I really enjoy cooking and eating Italian food. I generally opt for a vegetarian soup, pasta or risotto, any seafood dish and a dessert for that perfect ending to a meal.
WH: What will you cook if you had only 30 minutes?
Vikas: I think 30 minutes is enough time to cook a lot of things. I would make a simple pasta dish with maybe pesto, or some fresh seafood with a tomato-based sauce.
WH: Any food memories from your travels?
Vikas: There are plenty actually. The most recent ones are from Southern Italy – I was really impressed by the effort the Italians put in to prepare a simple pizza, starting from the specific grind and variety of flour, salt, cheese, tomatoes and basil to the carefully monitored temperatures of the wood-fired oven. Each step is carefully synchronised and controlled, and goes without saying that the end product is amazing!
WH: Best dining companions?
Vikas: My daughter, because we both like to chat a lot while eating.
WH: Favourite restaurants in the city/across the globe?
Vikas: I have been very lucky to have visited quite a few restaurants in different parts of the world. However, I am always partial towards the eateries that are rustic and offer authentic cuisine. Few of my favourites are some of the restaurants in Venice, Italy that serve fresh (and authentic) pastas. I also like the churrascarias (restaurants specialising in the South American churrasco) on the streets of Brazil, where they serve perfectly grilled meats and seafood. In Kolkata, I prefer eating at the Chinese restaurants in Tangra.
It’s always good to look good. And for that you need to be yourself. T-shirts have always been one of the coolest ways to stand out in a crowd and are a trend that never goes out of fashion. And with quirky prints to ones with the insignia of superheroes, there isn’t a dearth of choices either. So, with winter bidding farewell this year, it’s time to change your clothing and check out these places for some cool tees.
F-Bloc
The store speaks volumes about what to expect here. Located in a basement of a building, this is an underground den for quirky casuals. From coasters and card games to shorts and t-shirts, the choices are plenty. The doorknob at the entrance resembles a hand that you need to hold in order to make your way in to the store. Coming to the tees, you can get your hands on different styles, including neon prints, comic characters, eccentric graphics and superheroes. Each type has a large collection, giving ample choices to the buyers. And do not get scared of the life-sized Predator placed near the entrance.
Price: Rs 450 onwards
Address: 46A, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road
Contact: 033-22268030
India Form Centre
You may like to wear a particular print or style, so you look out for something specific when buying tees. Flaunting personalised clothes has its own charm after all. India Form Centre is where you can get your t-shirts customised. The shop has a collection of polo neck t-shirts in solid colours and different shades to choose from. You can either go for a print or get anything embroidered on it. Choose any photo, any design or any logo, and it can be easily etched on your t-shirt. And if you are simply looking for their expertise, you can get your own t-shirts and they will do the rest.
Price: Rs 200 onwards
Address: J-2, Block GP, Sector V, Salt Lake City
Contact: 033-4006 5677
One Stop Shoppe
At first glance, it may come across as just another shop selling garments. But One Stop Shoppe is perhaps the perfect example of ‘more than meets the eye’. It’s a simple store with basic merchandising and clothes’ racks fitted on walls, with tees and other garments. But the selling point of this place is that it has some really cool and fashion-forward tees imported from other Asian countries. From floral prints to simple designs and eclectic prints, you can get your hands on an assortment of tops for men.So, next time if you give shopping a miss when travelling to Southeast Asia, you know where to go now.
Price: Rs 399 onwards
Address: 23, Free School Street
Contact: 033-22521227
Emerge
‘What we think, we become’ is the tagline of this brand. Emerge is for those who are in awe of superheroes. The store has an interesting appeal that bears the look of a garage modified into a showroom. The worn-out look with elements such as manholes and bumpers simply augment the overall appearance. Be it Batman, Iron Man or Cat Woman, there are all types of superheroes with their logos and prints on t-shirts available here. Other interesting ones are the couple t-shirts, which have complimenting messages such as The Girlfriend–The Boyfriend and She’s My Beer–He’s My Diamond.
Price: Rs 800 onwards
Address: 28B, Shakespeare Sarani
Contact: 033-40619484
Style Check
There are shoppers who love to buy anything that compliments their style, while there are others who like to go with the latest fashion trends. However, there are also those who swear by the brand and love to flaunt a big name now and then. Style Check is just the right place for them, minus the pocket-pinch. Style Check is an export surplus shop housing some big labels and international brands. Some of the varieties available here include round necks, full-sleeves and collared t-shirts.
Price: Rs 650 onwards
Address: 28/2, Shakespeare Sarani
Contact: 033-40017959
The City of Joy has always been a haven for food lovers. Thanks to its rich heritage, the city offers a vast variety of cuisines to the diners, and this includes vegetarian options as well. With a growing number of vegan and health-conscious people, folks can be seen heading to vegetarian restaurants for their meal. So here’s a round-up of all the vegetarian restaurants you could try.
Cafe 4/1, Camac Street
The place is apt for the creative minds that need the right ambience to think. Winner of TFNA 2016 in the ‘Noteworthy Newcomer’ category, Café 4/1 is all about inspiring interiors and a good menu to satiate your cravings for an all-veg. diet. The interiors reflect a balance of white and coloured walls. Add to it the upcycled and customised furniture that augments the quirkiness. The surrounding greenery with potted plants et al adds freshness to the setting. Coming to the food, the dishes on the menu include Tofu Riot (Rs 225), chunks of tofu pan-fried with bell peppers and chilli sauce, The Real Burger King (Rs 160), vegetarian burger served with mustard mayo, salad and potato wedges, The Original Mr Alfredo (Rs 265), penne cooked in creamy white sauce and onions, garlic and peppers, and Basmati Pesto (Rs 275), rice cooked with veggies in a pesto sauce, among others.
Price: Rs 800 for two
Timings: Noon to 11 pm
Hakuna Matata, Park Street
It has been almost six months since this restaurant opened doors at Park Street. Known to dish out global cuisine, Hakuna Matata is a fun space with relaxed ambience spread across two levels. The wooden oars fixed on the walls, the art installations suspended from the ceiling and the staircase resembling a hanging bridge are some of the elements that are hard to miss. The menu here is a fusion of delicacies with interesting choices for the food aficionados. Opt for the self-explanatory Spinach Cannelloni (Rs 340), Dum Aloo Gnocchi (Rs 370), Indian Inspired Mezze Platter (Rs 370) and Thai Spicy Coconut Pasta (Rs 310). There’s also an all-Indian and Jain menu for those who prefer desi eats.
Price: Rs 900 for two
Timings: Noon to 11 pm
Piccadilly Square, Sarat Bose Road
This place is responsible for popularising delicacies such as waffles and crepes. Piccadilly Square overlooks a busy street and tries to recreate the London vicinity (after which it’s named) in its own way. The quaint café has a cosy feel to it, with flooring similar to a European street, an outdoor seating and soft lighting as add-ons to the overall appeal. The menu offers dishes from various European countries and is categorised into French Flaire, Classic Italian and British Favourites, to name a few. The dishes include Foccacia Sandwich (Rs 130), Pizza Con Pesto (Rs 375), Farm Fresh Crepe (Rs 195), Choco Dazzle Pancake (Rs 160) and Spicy Baked Beans on Toast (Rs 90).
Price: Rs 700 for two
Timings: 11 am to 10.30 pm
Casa Kitchen, AJC Bose Road
For those who like to stick to the traditional treats, you must head here. Staying true to the name and the menu, the restaurant bears a classic look with tile-clad flooring and wooden accents on the walls and the ceiling. The expansive menu offers south and north Indian dishes apart from Chinese and Continental fare. The menu comprises options such as Pahadi Paneer Tikka (Rs 245), Dal Sunehri (Rs 175), Lasooni Palak (Rs 275), Vegetable Au Gratin (Rs 325), Chilli Mushroom (Rs 250) and Four Cheese Pasta (Rs 325), among others. Early risers can also head here for a wholesome breakfast as well.
Price: Rs 1,200 for two
Timings: 7 am to 11 pm
Sheesha Lounge, Bhawanipur
As the name suggests, Sheesha Lounge is for the young and the young at heart. With its bright interiors draped in neon and fuchsia shades, Sheesha Lounge manages to bring about a young energy that reverberates through its ambience. There are burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups and mains to choose from. We recommend Hawaiian Cheese Burger (Rs 159), Mexican Paneer Sandwich (Rs 129), Jalapeno Nuggets (Rs 129), Veg Mexican Rice with Baked Potatoes (Rs 149) and Classic Veg Pizza (Rs 209). For those going for Sheesha, there are options of single, double, triple and special flavours, starting at Rs 229.
Price: Rs 700 for two
Timings: 11am to 11 pm
Like every other city, Kolkata too has its own heritage and culture. And food is definitely an integral part of it. With fusion foods and restaurants opening doors in the city, the food lovers still swear by the taste of certain legendary eateries in town. So, here are few of the iconic restaurants that one must look out for.
Indian Coffee House, College Street
Image Courtesy: Ayandrali Dutta
We all may know that College Street is the largest market for books in Asia. And amidst the chaotic lanes and many prestigious institutions stands the Indian Coffee House. More than food, it’s about experiencing a place that has popularised the adda culture in this part of the country. The typical British-style architecture, with high ceilings and spread across two levels, of the coffee house has its own charm that never fades. Coming to the food ,there are decent choices on offer, including Mutton Sandwiches (Rs 55), Baked Fish (Rs 70), Chicken Omelette (Rs 50), Moglai Paratha (Rs 50) and, of course, Hot Coffee (Rs 20).
Price: Rs 200 for two
Timings: 9 am to 9 pm
Flury’s, Park Street
Now into its 90th year, Flury’s has been one of those treasured gems, which has put the city on the country’s culinary map. There’s no substitute for this place when it comes to ambience. The well-spread tables across a huge hall, regal chandeliers, black-and-white chequered tiles and a huge glass wall overlooking the main street weave together a magical atmosphere. And if you happen to be there on a rainy day, then you are in luck! Watch the city in action, run around trying to seek shelter from the rains, from the inside while sipping on your hot chocolate. From breakfast to light bites, the menu at Flury’s does justice to its patrons. You could choose from French Toast (Rs 303), Beans on Toast (Rs 253), Chicken and Mushroom Quiche (Rs 44) and Grilled Chicken Steak served with Grilled Vegetables and Hot Tomato Salsa (Rs 495), among others.
Price: Rs 1,300 for two
Timings: 7.30 am to 9.45 pm
Nizam’s, Hogg Street
Today when we talk about the city’s street food culture, rolls top the list. And it was Nizam’s that was responsible for making this dish famous. Started back in early 1930s, Nizam’s has been synonymous with rolls, apart from other Mughlai dishes it offers. There isn’t much to say about the ambience – it comprises old-style dining halls and basic seating arrangements. Being located in the New Market area, which is again one of the oldest markets of the city, adds to the overall old-world appeal. Some of the must-try rolls include Mutton Tikia Roll (Rs 70), Double Chicken Roll (Rs 70), Single Egg Double Mutton Roll (Rs 80) and Double Egg Roll (Rs 40). Other than these, there are Cheese Nizam’s Special Kabab (Rs 190), Mutton Barra Kabab (Rs 120), Chicken Kathi Kabab (Rs 130) and Murgh Akbari (Rs 320), to name a few.
Price: Rs 500 for two
Timings: 10 am to 11 pm
Olypub, Park Street
Image Courtesy: Ayandrali Dutta
The food scene at Park Street is always buzzing. And amidst all the action, there’s Olypub, where finding a seat easily is difficult even on a weekday. Started around the time of India’s independence, the Continental-serving eatery was started as Olympia Bar; the name was later changed to Olypub. There are seating options on the ground floor and mezzanine floor with some authentic European fare on the menu. The dishes on offer include Chicken A La Kiev (Rs 180), Chateau Brian Beef Steak (Rs 205), Hamburger Mutton Steak (Rs 205) and Chicken Liver (Rs 150), among others.
Price: Rs 800 for two
Timings: 11 am to 11 pm
Mitra Café, Shobhabazar
North Kolkata is one of the oldest parts of the city and most of the rajbaris are located in this area. Today, the locality is a busy neighbourhood with some culinary gems still serving sumptuous delicacies, and Mitra Café happens to be one of them. It has nothing in common with the new-age cafes serving sandwiches and coffees with fancy names, so you have been warned. Mitra Café is all about classic snacks that have been loved by generations of foodies. Gorge on the signature dishes that include Chicken Kabiraji (Rs 90), Fish Diamond Fry (Rs 90), Mutton Chop (Rs 25) and Prawn Afgani (Rs 130). Despite being over a century old, this place continues to woo the food lovers with its timeless taste.
Price: Rs 400 for two
Timings: 7 am to 9.30 am and 5 pm to 10.30 pm
Royal Indian Hotel, Rabindra Sarani
It won’t be incorrect to say that biryani is a hot favourite among food lovers. Kolkata biryani, with the addition of potatoes in the dish, has gone down more than well with the food aficionados, as a result of which many eateries even today stick to the age-old recipe. But not Royal Indian Hotel – started in early 20th century, the restaurant till date serves an authentic preparation of Awadhi biryani sans the aloo, just like the Nawabs like it. Nestled in the bustling market area of Chitpur, the restaurant sees people flocking here despite the traffic. The food makes up for the raw interiors, and you just cannot go wrong with Royal Mutton Biryani (Rs 160), Mutton Pasinda Kabab (Rs 180), Royal Mutton Chaanp (Rs 150), Chicken Qalia (Rs 145) and Nargisi Kofta (Rs 120). Keep some space for the Firni (Rs 40) as just eating one of them won’t suffice.
Price: Rs 600 for two
Timings: 10 am to 11.30 pm
Saldanha Bakery and Confectionery, Wellesley
When a business is being carried on by the third generation of the family, you know they’re doing it right. Saldanha Bakery, started in 1930 by Late Ignatius Saldanha, still offers an assortment of baked goodies from its takeaway counter in Wellesley. Some of the options include Walnut Cake (Rs 220 per pound), Fruit Cake (Rs 250 per pound), Almond Iced Fruit Cake (Rs 34 per slice), Coconut Macaroons (Rs 20), Chicken Patties (Rs 20), Cheese Puff (Rs 20) and Chicken Envelope (Rs 30), among others.
Price: Rs 300 for two
Timings: 8 am to 9pm
Getaways are always about getting some time off from the daily routines of life. We often seek out places where not only can we relax but also rejuvenate our senses. Mayapur, located over a 100 kilometres away from Kolkata on banks of river Ganga, is pegged as one of the spiritual centres in the world. The headquarters of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and supposedly the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Mayapur has transformed into a popular destination for locals as well as foreigners.
EXPERIENCE
The three-hour drive through the beautiful landscape of rural Bengal leads you to this destination. Being a place for those seeking a spiritual touch, one can visit the temples, ashrams and other attractions in the vicinity. Mayapur’s differentiating factor, from other similar places in Bengal, is its landscape and the surrounding natural beauty. Located near Nabadvipa, or nine islands, which resembles the shape of a lotus, you can easily take a boat from the mainland to check out the islands. Each island signifies a devotional service, and these are Antardvipa (surrender), Simantadvipa (hearing), Godrumadvipa (chanting), Madhyadvipa (remembering), Kolavdvipa (serving), Ritudvipa (worshipping), Jahnudvipa (praying), Modadrumadvipa (serving), and Rudradvipa (friendship).
THINGS TO DO
Mayapur isn’t just about spending time in temples our being a devotee – there’s a lot you can do here. ISKCON offers many opportunities to people where they actively participate in several programmes and workshops. During important festivals, the community also seeks warm bodies to join as sevaks, or servers, to help them in different aspects of management. Now there are certain things you just cannot miss, when you are here. The Mayapur campus is spread across a huge area and houses Chandrodaya Mandir, Samadhi of Srila Prabhupada (founder of ISKCON), a 24-hour bhajan kutir and goshala, which is home to over 200 cows, calves and bulls – visitors are also allowed to feed the animals. Take some time off and hop on a boat for a one-hour cruise on the river Ganga. One can take the boat from Prabhupada Ghat, which is located barely a stone’s throw away from the campus gate. Here you can enjoy the scenic beauty as well as offer flowers at Triveni Sangam, the confluence of three rivers –Ganga, Jalangi and Saraswati – which is considered a sacred place for Hindus. The temple at Yogapit is a popular spot as it is the birthplace of Chiatnaya Mahaprabhu. Amidst the temples, the one place which has its own unique identity is Ambika Kalna. This place has 108 temples dedicated to lord Shiva and also has houses of Suryadas and Gauridas Pandit (big followers of Chitanya’s Bhakti tradition). The nearby village of Ekachakra is also a popular destination for tourists visiting Mayapur. This is the birthplace of Sri Nityananda, who was a Vaishnava saint. This is where he spent his childhood; the place also has other significant buildings, such as Bankim Raya Temple, Sarva Tirtha Kunda, Kadam Khandi, and Pandavatala, where the Pandavas lived with their mother Kunti after their exile.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation isn’t an issue here as there are several guest houses run by ISKCON. There are several buildings, each with different room types, to suit the budget of the travellers. Each guest house has a distinct name, such as Gada, Vamsi and Conch. Vamsi is located at a distance of 10 minutes from the main temple; Gada is barely a five-minute walk away; and the closest is the Conch building, which is attached to the temple. Other stay options include Nityananda Kutir, Gauranga Kutir and Chaitanya Bhavan Guest House.
Distance: 130 km via NH 34 from Kolkata
Time Taken: 3 hours by road
Best Time To Visit: August to March
Image Courtesy: www.visitmayapur.com
Cafés aren’t just a place for coffees and conversations anymore. With a growing number of young entrepreneurs and startups prefering to work outside of confined office spaces, there’s a lot of people who need a peaceful spot to sit and browse the net, which is why great internet connectivity is a saviour. If you don’t like co-working rooms and prefer giving your mind some exercise in public settings, bookmark this list.
Cha Bar, Park Street
This quintessential tea café inside Oxford Bookstore has been a popular choice for those who loves the city’s adda culture. With smartly designed graphics brightening up pristine white wall and wooden flooring giving things a rustic feel, Cha Bar strikes a beautiful balance between quirky and classic. Just add good Wi-Fi and it turns into an apt destination for hanging out with your laptop or tablet. And in case you need a kick, try their varieties of tea including Jasmine Pearl (Rs 80), Taiwanese Oolong (Rs 80), Ginger Cha (Rs 34) and Darjeeling First Flush (Rs 60).
Price: Rs 400 for two
Timings: 9.30 am to 9.30 pm
The Royal Bengal Tiger Café, Tollygunge
Dedicated to our country’s national animal, this venue is a rare find. The entire place is done up in wood tones with different photographs and paintings of the endangered species on the walls. They provide Wi-Fi, but it isn’t free and comes with a charge of Rs 60 per hour. The menu is a good mix of regional specialities along with sandwiches, salads, juices and more. Try their Chicken Cutlet (Rs 120), Egg Devil (Rs 125) and Three Tier Sandwich (Rs 100).
Price: Rs 400 for two
Timings: 9.30 am to 9.30 pm
The Next Level, Shakespeare Sarani
The Next Level is all about live sports screening, board games and group activities. In case you want to spend time browsing the net instead, free internet is a big boon and when you need refuelling, their all veg menu will come to the rescue. Try the Jerk Potato (R 171), Maggie and Wai Wai Station (Rs 99), Mumbai Chutney Sandwich (Rs 141) or Quesadillas (Rs 211).
Price: Rs 1,000 for two
Timings: 10 am to midnight
Edesia, Minto Park
Known for their breakfast offerings, Edesia serves more than just one meal a day. Vibrant and bright décor with warm tones enhances the overall appeal of this relaxed joint, and complimentary Wi-Fi adds more value. Grab a quick bite of Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich (Rs 200) and Open Salmon and Scrambled Egg Sandwich (Rs 550) while you sip on a Double Shot Espresso (Rs 125), Masala Chai (Rs 95) or Mint Green Tea (Rs 80).
Price: Rs 1,500 for two
Timings: 8 am to 7 pm
Le Coffee Creme, Salt Lake
Located opposite the famous city centre mall in Salt Lake, this one’s a lounge cum café with pleasing ambience and slightly confused interiors. Elements such as Buddha statues, graphic wallpapers and ambient lighting accentuate the casual vibe. Connect your device to their WI-FI and spend your time anwering all those pending mails, while you wait for a Crostini (Rs 150), Croissant Bon Bon (Rs 150) or Honey Butter Crepe (Rs 120). Wash it all down with Peach Ice Tea (Rs 90), Crackle Shake (Rs 140) or a Cappuccino (Rs 70).
Price: Rs 800 for two
Timings: 11 am to 11.30 pm
Directed by: Suman Saha
Cast: Pradip Baidik Mazumdar, Rik Amrit, Soumyajit Adhikari and Arghya Roy among others.
Ashwatthama is a Bengali play is about the epic character from Mahabharata, by the same name, who was instrumental in changing the out come of the Kurukshetra war. He was the son of Dronacharya and fought in the battle of Mahabharat against the Pandavas. Theplay,therefore, stands against war and the warmongers.
Tickets: Rs 100
Tickets available on Explara.in
Directed by :Anish Ghosh
Tasher Desh is a Bengali play based on the story by Rabindranath Tagore. This is a tale about a prince who escape the prison of his mind and destiny and lands in aplace pagued by facism. He encourages the women in the land to stand up for the rights.
Tickets: Rs 100
Ticnets available on Explara.in
Jamsteady presents an evening of music with Prject Maya Ft. Ayan and Sugata. Both the music bands will be perfomring for the first time at Jamsteady. Porject Maya#39;s music draws influences from Sufi tunes to odern rock and electronica. The bandm embers of Project Maya are Dodo- Vocals, Guitars, Savvy- Keyboards, Sajib- Sreekhol, Tabla, Dhol, Pakhwaj, Bunty-Drums/Percussions, Pom- Bass/Dotara and Saurav- Guitars.Aayan #39;N Sugata are an acoustic duo who write their own material in Bengali and Hindi and also do their own versions old songs.
Entry: Free, club rules and cover charges as applicable.
Head to Nazrul Mancha for a grand musical evening as the venue brings to you Bombay Meri Jaan, a Broadway style musical based on the anecdotes and facts behind the creation of great Bollywood songs. The music lovers can enjoy the event as they get to see recreation of stories such as O. P. Nayyar grooming his favourite Asha Bhosle, and Shammi Kapoor trapping R. D. Burman or how Kishore Kumar got his break and many more/ The journey starts from the golden era of K. L. Saigal and ends with the A.R. Rehman winning the Oscars.
Tickets: Rs 100 onwards
Tickets available on Bookmyshow.com
Arjun Vagale, a known associated with techno house music will be playing live at Myx. Being one of the country’s leading electronic music DJ, Arjun has been playing at well-known nightclubs around the country as well as other foreign destinations such as Europe, USA and Asia. He has played alongside heavyweights like Richie Hawtin, Dubfire, Adam Bayer, Josh Wink, Apparat, Sasha and Fat Boy Slim.
Entry: Free, club rules and cover charges as applicable.
Black Lounge brings to you yet another weekend of Focal party night and this Friday it#39;s DJ Sanjay Dutta performing live at the venue. DJ Sanjay Dutta is known for his mastery over Techno music and also referred as the ‘beast of the east’. He will be playing some rocking numbers from various genres to keep the party goers glued to the dance floor.
Entry: Club rules and cover charges as applicable
Experience the best of classical melodies at the Indian Council For Cultural Relations as the venue presents an evening of musical extravaganza with Ustad Sabir Khan and Anjan Saha performing live at the venue. Ustad Sabir Khan is a popular tabla player born in a family of legendary musicians who heritages dates back to 11th century and is alo associated with Farukkabad Gharana, the oldest gharana or school of tabla. Anjan Saha is renowned sitar player of Hindustani music and has palyed at several venues across the world.