Communities and Bazaars of Kolkata Walk
Communities and Bazaars
This is one of our original and most popular walks. Starting from outside the Broadway Hotel, located opposite the northwest entry/exit of the Chadni Chowk metro station we plunge into this poor inner city area heading north toward Burrabazaar. Along the way we take in numerous communities; Anglo-Indians living in old army barracks, Muslims (especially around the largest mosque in Eastern India), the old China town with three still operational temples, Hindu and Jain temples.
We pass through congested streets and lane-ways bursting with economic activity, from bustling markets selling all manner of foodstuffs to recyclers working on the footpaths and roads to those living in long term sidewalk squats , tinsmith and woodworking communities, established zones for the sale of tobacco and cotton, streets selling fine garments, all highlighting how these Kolkatans live and work side by side.
The main walk takes us through busy market streets, selling, saris and dried fruit, locally made mats and brooms, cooking utensils and gold. You are of course free to stop and talk to locals buy an item, have a sweet tea or lassi or enjoy a dosa on the street.
We end up walking through a crowded spice market and down to the Ganges to take in the river and the nearby Flower Market.
From here we can point the way to further travel on your own, perhaps a ferry ride or a walk to the palaces.
Should you be particularly interested in seeing some of the Jewish history of the city we can divert some time after the Nakhoda Mosque and take in the remnants of a more cosmopolitan Kolkata with its Portugese Cathedral and Jewish Synagogues.
If you are particularly keen to see the main Fruit Market in the city this is a slight diversion but certainly possible. It is crowded and can be a bit tricky to navigate after heavy rain but certainly an experience worth having.
Meeting Point: Broadway Hotel, Ganesh Chandra Ave. Opposite the North West exit of Chadney Chowk Metro.
This is one of our original and most popular walks. Starting from outside the Broadway Hotel, located opposite the northwest entry/exit of the Chadni Chowk metro station we plunge into this poor inner city area heading north toward Burrabazaar. Along the way we take in numerous communities; Anglo-Indians living in old army barracks, Muslims (especially around the largest mosque in Eastern India), the old China town with three still operational temples, Hindu and Jain temples.
We pass through congested streets and lane-ways bursting with economic activity, from bustling markets selling all manner of foodstuffs to recyclers working on the footpaths and roads to those living in long term sidewalk squats , tinsmith and woodworking communities, established zones for the sale of tobacco and cotton, streets selling fine garments, all highlighting how these Kolkatans live and work side by side.
The main walk takes us through busy market streets, selling, saris and dried fruit, locally made mats and brooms, cooking utensils and gold. You are of course free to stop and talk to locals buy an item, have a sweet tea or lassi or enjoy a dosa on the street.
We end up walking through a crowded spice market and down to the Ganges to take in the river and the nearby Flower Market.
From here we can point the way to further travel on your own, perhaps a ferry ride or a walk to the palaces.
Should you be particularly interested in seeing some of the Jewish history of the city we can divert some time after the Nakhoda Mosque and take in the remnants of a more cosmopolitan Kolkata with its Portugese Cathedral and Jewish Synagogues.
If you are particularly keen to see the main Fruit Market in the city this is a slight diversion but certainly possible. It is crowded and can be a bit tricky to navigate after heavy rain but certainly an experience worth having.
Meeting Point: Broadway Hotel, Ganesh Chandra Ave. Opposite the North West exit of Chadney Chowk Metro.
THE CEREAL KELLOGG CANNOT AFFORD TO MAKE....
MURI (RICE BUBBLES OR KRISPIES)
Here on the streets and in the markets of Kolkata, daily, hundreds of people are busily making rice krispies for local consumption.
Here it is called muri, extremely useful for travellers, street dwellers and householders alike. It is a readily prepared meal. No need to cook, it already is cooked, just add savoury or sweet additions for an easy and filling meal.
Here it is called muri, extremely useful for travellers, street dwellers and householders alike. It is a readily prepared meal. No need to cook, it already is cooked, just add savoury or sweet additions for an easy and filling meal.
Heat the sand and add the plain rice.
Stir for a minute until it pops and spoon it into a sieve.
Shake out all the sand and bag it. Mr Kellogg simply cannot compete on price or freshness.
This man works on Ganesh Chandra Avenue. It is the small details of life that make this city so fascinating.
This man works on Ganesh Chandra Avenue. It is the small details of life that make this city so fascinating.
And there is beauty everywhere. Oh and you can see the muri man with his bags of rice bubbles in the background.
