A river running through a metro city. Paris has that, as does London, Amsterdam, Bangkok... and Kolkata. When you are in the City of Joy next, make sure you explore the legendary Hooghly. Here are five different ways.
Watch the Sunset At The Ghats
Flowing to the west of Kolkata, the Hooghly River &ndash name for the last stretch of the Ganga River before it flows out to the Bay of Bengal &ndash looks sluggish. But don&rsquot forget that it was this river that had a key role to play in the making of modern Indian history, trade and commerce. The river bank is dotted with several &lsquoghat&rsquo and jetties. Take an early morning exploratory walk along the bank and watch the city waking up. At one end is the 1883-built Palladian porch of Prinsep Ghat, built in honour of scholar and antiquary James Prinsep.
Take A Ride
A trip to Kolkata would be incomplete without a boat ride on the Hooghly. Choose a nouko (the small traditional oar-driven boats), or a ferry ride. The best time to traverse the river would be just when the sun is about to set and the twin bridges over Hooghly get lit up. The Hooghly riverbank has been beautified by the state government and is a major attraction for tourists. You can take one of the weekend evening cruise by WBTDCL from New Babughat to Belur Math and Dakshineswar and back. Hire a boat for a slow ride on the Hooghly passing barges, boats, and old warehouses towards the magnificent Howrah Bridge. Sail into the sunset or get some great shots as the sun goes down and both the bridges flank you on either side. The ancient ghats, old houses and temples along the river have a magical feel.
Catch Some Flower Power
Head to the Mullick Ghat flower market by the river. One of the biggest flower markets in Asia, it&rsquos a popular place for photography enthusiasts who come here for &lsquoInsta&rsquo-worthy shots of effervescent colours and the jaw-dropping view of the Howrah Bridge which is right behind it. Search on Google, and you will come across snapshots by several famous photographers (such as Swiss photographer Sylvain Savolein) of this place. Next to it is Jagannath Ghat, known for its European architecture style.
Hang Out At The Maidan
Give yourself a gentle introduction to the city by exploring its beloved gem, the Maidan. A year-round destination for locals and visitors, the 3-km-long Maidan is a vast expanse of green where Kolkata residents take morning walks, have picnics and family outings, couples have dates, youngsters play cricket and football, and the Kolkata mounted police carry out exercises on their horses. To the south is Victoria Memorial and St Paul's Cathedral and to its west is the Hooghly riverbanks. If you walk around, you will see that the Maidan is dotted with several green bungalows. These are club houses belonging to sports clubs - some dating back to pre-Independence era. The big names of Kolkata football are here &mdash Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan Sporting. As are various cricket clubs, the Kennel Club and Press Club.
Take A Tram Ride
From time to time, you will see a tram gently chugging along the borders of the Maidan. One of the oldest transport systems in Asia - they have been operating since 1902 - the trams of Kolkata should be on your must-do list. One of the most picturesque routes is the one that goes to Kidderpore via the green Maidan and Victoria Memorial.
