Travel to Kolkata, India – Episode 941

Hear about travel to Kolkata, India (formerly Calcutta) as the Amateur Traveler talks to Sam Sarkar from Travels with Dr. Sam about this city built by the British East India Company.

Why should you go to Kolkata?

Sam says, “It’s a real hidden secret. This is a city that has grand colonial buildings. It used to be the second city of the British Empire for the longest time. The first US consulate in the world was set up in Kolkata even before Thomas Jefferson was president in the late 17 hundreds. It’s a city that has produced six Nobel laureates. There’s a lot of art and culture festivals, and outstanding food. So I think there’s a lot to see.”

What Dr. Sam Recommends in Kolkata:

1. Start with European Heritage & Colonial Architecture

• Walking Tour with Calcutta Walks — Sam’s top recommendation for understanding Kolkata’s colonial history and European architecture.
• Highlights include:
  • Victoria Memorial — “British Taj Mahal,” the most spectacular building in Kolkata.
  • St. Paul’s Cathedral
  • St. John’s Church, Kolkata (oldest Anglican church)
  • High Court Building
  • Writers’ Building
  • General Post Office, Kolkata
  • Governor’s House
  • The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata (oldest continuously operating hotel in Asia — Mark Twain stayed there)

TIP: Go on a Sunday or during off-hours for less crowd. Buildings are beautifully lit at night.

2. Historic Places of Worship & Multicultural Mix

• Magen David Synagogue & Beth El Synagogue — Jewish heritage sites maintained by Muslims.
• Armenian Church of the Holy Nazareth — Oldest church in Kolkata.
• Kalighat Kali Temple — Historic and chaotic, in the congested city center.
• Dakshineswar Kali Temple — On the river, larger, prettier, easier to access by Kolkata Metro or car.
• Birla Mandir, Kolkata — Beautiful, well-carved modern Hindu temple.
• Calcutta Jain Temple
• ISKCON Kolkata Headquarters & ISKCON Temple, Mayapur – the world headquarters and the world’s largest temple under construction — Day trip worthy, massive new complex.

3. Iconic Local Experiences

• College Street — World’s largest second-hand book market.
• College Street Coffee House — Historic intellectual hub.
• Kumortuli — Iconic clay idol artisan hub, best visited with a car & guide.
• South Park Street Cemetery — Old colonial cemetery with graves from the 1600s–1800s.

4. Festivals

• Durga Puja in Kolkata — UNESCO-recognized, largest cultural event in Kolkata.
  • 2,000+ pandals (temporary temple structures)
  • Sam recommends taking a tourist night bus to avoid crowds and standing in lines.

5. Shopping

• New Market, Kolkata — Covered market (officially Sir Stuart Hogg Market).
• Nahoum and Sons, A Jewish Bakery — Famous for Christmas cakes.
• Oxford Bookstore
• Biswa Bangla Stores — Government-run handicraft stores.
• Silk sarees, local jewelry, and handicrafts.

6. Food Recommendations

• Eat authentic Bengali cuisine:
  • 6 Ballygunge Place Restaurant — For a buffet sampling local dishes.
  • Signature Dishes:
    • Steamed fish in mustard paste
    • Prawn curry in coconut milk
    • Spicy goat curry (Mutton Kosha)
• Try Kolkata’s unique versions of:
  • Indian Chinese cuisine
  • Kolkata biryani (includes potatoes & eggs)
  • Iconic Bengali sweets — cottage cheese-based desserts

7. Nightlife & Entertainment

• Park Street — Iconic nightlife area.
  • Trincas Restaurant — Live Western music and Bollywood hits.

Side Trips Dr. Sam Recommends

1. Sundarbans National Park
   • Cruise from Kolkata or stay at Sunderban Tiger Camp Resort
   • Hard to spot tigers, but rich wildlife: crocodiles, deer, dolphins, and birds.
2. Darjeeling
   • Famous tea gardens & spectacular Himalayan views including Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga (3rd highest peak in the world).
   • Stay in tea estate resorts for a unique experience.
3. Dooars Region (North Bengal)
   • Gorumara & Jaldapara National Parks — See Indian rhinoceros, elephants, and more.
   • Possible elephant safari experience.

Bonus Practical Advice

• Visit November–February for best weather.
• Always hire a car with driver and guide.
• Stay in a 4-star or 5-star hotel near the city center (very affordable).
• Don’t drive yourself or try to walk everywhere — traffic and density can be overwhelming.

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Show Notes

Kolkata
Travels with Dr. Sam
Calcutta Walks
Chinatown in Kolkata
Fort William, West Bengal
Maidan (Kolkata)
Victoria Memorial
St. Paul’s Cathedral, Kolkata
Calcutta High Court
The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata
Writers’ Building
General Post Office, Kolkata
St. John’s Church, Kolkata
Magen David Synagogue
Beth El Synagogue
Armenian Church of the Holy Nazareth
South Park Street Cemetery
College Street
College Street Coffee House
Kumortuli – The Iconic Clay Idol Artisan Hub of Kolkata
Rabindranath Tagore (wrote India’s National Anthem)
Jorasanko Thakur Bari
Durga Puja in Kolkata
New Market, Kolkata
Nahoum and Sons, A Jewish Bakery
Oxford Bookstore
Kalighat Kali Temple
Dakshineswar Kali Temple
Kolkata Metro
Birla Mandir, Kolkata
Calcutta Jain Temple
ISKCON Kolkata Official
ISKCON Temple, Vrindavan
6 Ballygunge Place Restaurant
27 Best Bengali Sweets In Kolkata
Indian Chinese cuisine
Kolkata biryani
Trincas: Origins of an Icon
Sundarbans National Park
Sunderban Tiger Camp
Darjeeling
5 Famous Tea Gardens (Tea Estates) In Darjeeling
Indian rhinoceros
7 Best National Park to Spot One Horned Rhinos in India
Kolkata India Post by Dr Sam

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