Recently, I got an opportunity to attend a Heritage Walk event at the northern part of the Indian city of Kolkata. Enriched in historical artefacts and heritage sites that represent the cultural evolution of the Bengali way of living in the last 300 years, North Kolkata is an enthralling place for all the lovers of history.
It was an early Sunday morning, when enthusiasts like me gathered at Potla Kachori Shop, Bagbazar, travelling from different parts of the city. After tasting the famous Kachori here, we began the heritage walk as we explored the following places:-
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Bagbazar Basubati: This Bengali traditional palace was built in 1876 by zamindars Nandalal Basu and Pasupatinath Basu, engineered by the first Bengali engineer Nilmani Mitra. When Swami Vivekananda returned home after his historical speech at Chicago at the 1893 World Parliament of Religions, he was facilitated here. Today, it is considered as one of the infamous haunted houses in Kolkata.
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Shree Gaudiya Math, Bagbazar: It is the headquarters of the Gaudiya Mission which spreads awareness across the world on the views of Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the Vaishnav sect of Hinduism.
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Girish Bhavan: This is one unique building in Kolkata which is located in the middle of a busy road. Prominent theatre artist Girish Ghosh used to live here.
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Nibedita House: Sister Nibedita, earlier known as Elizabeth Margaret Nobel from Ireland, was a social reformer who was inspired by the way of living of Swami Vivekananda and moved to Kolkata, spending her life advocating for education for girls and women empowerment here.
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Nobin Chandra Das Rosogolla Sweet Shop: Rosogolla is an Indian sweet dish originated in Kolkata by Bengali entrepreneur Nobin Chandra Das at this Shyambazar sweet shop some 150 years ago. This shop is still operational, although it has transformed into a mini cafe today.
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Madan Mohan Temple, Sovabazar: This temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha, was built in 1761 by local merchant Gokul Chandra Mitra. This heritage building is one of the famous North Kolkata household which showcase the ancient Bengali affluent culture and pre-British era architecture, that builds the identity of North Kolkata.
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Bagbazar Mayer Ghat: This is spot on the bank of Ganga river which has been beautified for the tourists to spend time sitting next to the holy Indian river flowing between the sister cities of Kolkata and Howrah.
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Mayer Bari, Bagbazar: Established in 1908, this house at Gopal Neogi Lane was the residence of Ma Sarada, a cult figure in Bengali Hindu culture, who along with Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa guided the community into the path of goodwill, encouraging to stop expired evil practices, and embrace the good from both Indian traditional and western colonial cultures.
It was a great day, away from the enchantments of today’s rapid lifestyle, embracing the history and feeling the timeline of social reforms that helped build today’s modern Bengali and Indian lifestyle which is appreciated worldwide.
my sister used to get it.Now shifted to Mumbai, Kolkata is famous for its art and culture.
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