Day 1: Kolkata — The Essential Day
Victoria Memorial & Maidan at Dawn
Arrive at the Maidan (the vast central park) at 7am when Kolkata's morning rituals unfold: cricket matches on every patch of grass, yoga practitioners, and balloon sellers. Walk to Victoria Memorial (opens 10am, ₹200 foreigners) — the white Makrana marble palace built in 1906 as a monument to Queen Victoria, now a museum housing 25,000 artefacts of British India. The building is one of the most beautiful colonial structures in Asia. The grounds are worth ₹30 even without the museum entry.
Howrah Bridge & Flower Market
Tram or metro to BBD Bagh, then walk to Howrah Bridge — the iconic cantilever bridge spanning the Hooghly River. Cross to the west bank and descend to the Mullik Ghat Flower Market beneath the bridge: one of Asia's largest flower markets trading 3,000 tonnes of marigolds, roses, and tuberose daily. The visual impact of mountains of colour against the grimy river and grey bridge girders is uniquely Kolkata. Return across the bridge on foot for the city skyline view. Lunch at Indian Coffee House on College Street (₹80–150).
Park Street & Kali Temple
Visit Kalighat Temple (free, shoes off) — the original Kali temple from which Calcutta takes its name, and one of 51 Shakti Peethas. The inner sanctum is intense: priests, chanting, incense, and the black Kali idol. Non-Hindus can observe from the outer courtyard. Then Park Street for dinner — the restaurant row of Kolkata, where Mocambo (₹600–900, colonial decor) and Peter Cat (₹500–700, beef chelo kabab) have been feeding the city since the 1950s. Peter Cat's chelo kabab (Iranian-style grilled lamb on a bed of saffron rice) is a Kolkata institution.
