07 October -- reached Howrah around 03:30 hr after delayed and prolonged train journey from Chennai. 3 W/L tickets didn't confirm and Andhra Pradesh 2-3 days bandh are the reasons for the hassle.
left Howrah station around 05:30 hr to reach Ballygunje by bus. 30min journey costed Rs7/- only which reminded me of bus-fares in Chennai around 2yr earlier. I had Tea in Matka - clay cup which was were tasty and refreshing at that point in time. I had to wait until Ajinkya(YHAI friend from Nagpur/Pune) answered his phone which was about 8 AM. Walked over the bridge of Ballygunje railway station to reach Kasba post office where Ajinkya asked me to reach. We met and he took me to Snehargho Ghosh's place where Ajinkya was being hosted. After the introductory talk and refreshing activities had Tea and bread toast. Around noon or so, Ajinkya and me headed out for a walk. Had Rosagulla and chat from Ganguram - sweet shop. Never tasted such soft Rosagulla so far in my life -That was the best I had to say.
On reaching Snehargho's place, we went to Bhojohori Manna restaurant for authentic Bengali food. Menu was exhaustive; we ordered 1 Maxi Thaali for Ajinkya and Plain Rice, Mug Musur Dhal, Al Beg Pot Bhaja, Alur Dum, and Bhetki Paturi (Fish) for Snehargho and me. We ended with Aaam Doi(mango pie) which was very yummy. Bill was 3 who ate stomach-full for Rs 860/- wasn't bad at all.
Got up early and we were in-time at Prem Dan.We took a train from Ballygunje station which was piled up with shops on the tracks and Platform. From 8 AM until noon we were with volunteers doing whatever possible was asked and we could. There were few foreigners and couple of Indians other than Ajinkya and me. We started with washing the clothes, rinsing them; cleaning the compound with brooms. We cleaned glasses, plates and mugs for Tea and Food to be served. After which we cleaned the dished as well.
There were different kinds of people - ages, sick, partially blind and physically challenged. As one of the sisters at Prem Dan said these are the poorest of the poor who are abandoned by their own families due to various reasons. We got to do whatever possible we can put a smile on their faces. This volunteering work touched me in more ways than one.
On reaching back to our host's place, we refreshed and went to Padmaparer Rannaghar near Gariahat Junction. Again Snehargho(out host) did the ordering. Nayanananda Sada Bhat, Kaaraisutir Triptikar Mug Dal, Alloo/Begum/Phulkopi/Patol Kumro, Amritamani Bektkir Jhal, Kalkatar Alaksunder Dhokar Dalna, Marjita Ruchi Alu Posto, Am Satyar Satti Chatni. Again we-3 of us were full for around 900/- this time.
After roaming around for a while, we returned to Ballygunje. Ajinkya made Poha for dinner. Day ended with me dosing off while watching the Borat movie -The Dictator.
09 October
missed day 2 of volunteering as we got up late. Had coffee, bread toasted with butter for breakfast. Ajinkya and me left Ballygunje around noon to head to Dhaksineswar temple and Belur Math. Reached Kalighat Metro station by bus from where took a Metro train to Dum Dum which costed Rs 8/- only for 45 min journey. From where we took DN9 bus to Dhaksineswar. Walked around the temple as it was closed for darshan; clicked loads of pictures.
We got into boat and headed to Belur Math which was again 20 min boat ride from Dhaksineswar. Boat ride was also damn cheap Rs 10/- only per person. After waiting for about an hour or so when Math opened, we walked around seeing places where Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda, and many more saints spend some their years/time in Belur Math. It was very peaceful, serene and close to nature. There was a pandol of Durga devi along with Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Ganesha and Subramania lords which was a treat for the eyes. Again we de-toured by boat until Dhaksineswar and then took local train from Dhaksineswar to Dum Dum was costed Rs 5/ per person only.
Public transportation ROCKS in this city. After a bit-of embarassment at EXACT FARE COUNTER, both of us reached Kalighat metro station. Within minutes of walking in the crowd, near the bus-stop, Snehargho Ghosh found us. It was blessing in disguise and such a coincidence. We then took breezers, beers and food for dinner. Rotis, Aloo sabsi, Egg curry and Daal. I dozed off watching the movie -Drive.
10 October
Went to Banchharam had Puri (masala) for breakfast.
As it was raining mostly chilled out indoors talking, watching movies and cooking. Ajinkya made Jeera/Ghee rice; Snehargho steamed rice and cooked Egg+Potato curry; I made mushroom curry with onion, tomatoes and bit of butter.We had lunch @ 5 PM. Then watched Silver lining Playbook enjoyed Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro's words a lot. After a while, late in the night -Ajinkya and Me went around to see Mandal(s)/Pandol(s) to take pictures and to get feel of crowd during Subo Pujo ;) days.
We ended up winding the day with coffee and Tex-Mex sandwich from Cafe Coffee Day.
11 October
All 3 of us went to Ahiritola Ghat on the banks of Ganges. Durga Puja kicks off with this event it seems. We met Koushik -Snehargho's friend. After spending some time taking pictures in Ahiritola walked-walked and walked a lot almost close to an hour to reach Nut Mandir -ancestral house where prayers were offered to beautiful idol of Durga devi. No breakfast on this day. During this walk, some local random-strange guy was also walking with us guiding/taking us to this place where Nut Mandir was located.
We went to Koushik's place had Puri, Aloo, Egg curry and Kher. Rested for a while on this hot-humid day. After couple of hours, we returned to Ballygunje. I had little bit of Poha (muddy cos of coriander) which Ajinkya made.
12 October
Dull day with hardly anything being done on this day as it was raining on and off due to Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Phailin. Ordered Pizza from Dominos -we had lunch @ 2 PM. Still Ajinkya and me headed to Spencers and shops near by to get some stuff to give it to our host -Mr. Ghosh who was very kind and smashing chap who studied Film studies and pursuing his passion of Photography. We wish him all the very best for his future endeavors. While returning Ajinkya and me headed to Banchharam had lot of sweets and 3 Dokla(s) and took 6 while leaving of which Ajinkya hogged 3 again. He's such a hogger -Thank god he's vegetarian.
13 October
This was supposed to be my last day of my trip. Got up early and went to Kalighat temple. I got into the Queue at 07:30 AM and was out in 40 min after darshan. Spent some time taking pictures in and around Kalighat temple -the shops, Pandols and the crowd on this festive day. I walked back from Kalighat to Ballygunje talking pictures of Mandaps-Pandols which attracted me. On my way, I had Parata in Banchharam this time they hadn't have Puri with masala stuffing.
Ajinkya's coffee-making ability -I had to write about this.
He opens milk sachet - pours half into the container-boils for a while - adds Nescafe and sugar - empties remaining milk into it. He used a Tea filter in the process; spills 1/4th of the coffee he made while pouring into glasses. He gives me 50% of what was left out while he and Snehargho shared the remaining 50%. This is 1 of the worst coffee I had ever had and will remain as funniest ever made as well. He had given a disclaimer that he sucks at making coffee still never thought he would use tea-filter for making coffee.
Burrah, Kachodi, Ganpathi Pappa, Fuck off n Die our favorite words and Garam Jol will be added to this list
We left around noon to have biryani at some place where they serve best biryani. Snehargho kept saying that Calcutta biryani is best even after being to Hyderabad once. We had to go to Zeshans as the place where we had to go was too full and we couldn't wait as I had to take the train @ 4 PM. Biryani was OK not so great. I took a taxi from there and reached Howrah by 02:20 PM in 20 min. No updates about the train I had to take which was to leave by 04:10 PM. I had called IVR before leaving and until 03:20 PM no news about train 12663 which was re-scheduled to 14 October due to cyclone Phailin.
I called Snehargho+Ajinkya told them am heading back to Ballygunje. Informed mom as well. Took a bus got off at Raebehari circle and it started to pour down. Took dosas from Madurai Meenakshi Dosa stall opp. to Oriental Bank and reached Snehargho's place by 06:20 PM. Ajinkya had made noodles and dosa was dinner. Talked around for a while and went out to roam and got back with 7 seasons Seagrams Wine.
14 October
As both of them went to book tickets to Siliguri -Snehargho's home town, I uploaded pictures in facebook. We had lunch at local -old restaurant where food was like home-made. It costed Rs 200/- for three. Again for the Nth time, we went to Banchharam had sweets again. I took small sweet samosas + sweets for home. I left Ballygunje by 2 PM or so by bus to reach Howrah around 03:15 PM. Howrah station was way too good with loads of passenger facilities like subway to ferry; vehicles can drive into station's platform and head out to bridge. Called to inform Snehargho while train left Howrah station. Subo Pujo over trip now.
End of 8 days of lovely experience in Kolkota-Calcutta for Durga Puja 2013.
left Howrah station around 05:30 hr to reach Ballygunje by bus. 30min journey costed Rs7/- only which reminded me of bus-fares in Chennai around 2yr earlier. I had Tea in Matka - clay cup which was were tasty and refreshing at that point in time. I had to wait until Ajinkya(YHAI friend from Nagpur/Pune) answered his phone which was about 8 AM. Walked over the bridge of Ballygunje railway station to reach Kasba post office where Ajinkya asked me to reach. We met and he took me to Snehargho Ghosh's place where Ajinkya was being hosted. After the introductory talk and refreshing activities had Tea and bread toast. Around noon or so, Ajinkya and me headed out for a walk. Had Rosagulla and chat from Ganguram - sweet shop. Never tasted such soft Rosagulla so far in my life -That was the best I had to say.
On reaching Snehargho's place, we went to Bhojohori Manna restaurant for authentic Bengali food. Menu was exhaustive; we ordered 1 Maxi Thaali for Ajinkya and Plain Rice, Mug Musur Dhal, Al Beg Pot Bhaja, Alur Dum, and Bhetki Paturi (Fish) for Snehargho and me. We ended with Aaam Doi(mango pie) which was very yummy. Bill was 3 who ate stomach-full for Rs 860/- wasn't bad at all.
We then walked to Mother's house to enroll me and Ajinkya to volunteer at Prem Dan near Park Circus railway station. Prem Dan is one of many homes by Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata.
08 OctoberGot up early and we were in-time at Prem Dan.We took a train from Ballygunje station which was piled up with shops on the tracks and Platform. From 8 AM until noon we were with volunteers doing whatever possible was asked and we could. There were few foreigners and couple of Indians other than Ajinkya and me. We started with washing the clothes, rinsing them; cleaning the compound with brooms. We cleaned glasses, plates and mugs for Tea and Food to be served. After which we cleaned the dished as well.
There were different kinds of people - ages, sick, partially blind and physically challenged. As one of the sisters at Prem Dan said these are the poorest of the poor who are abandoned by their own families due to various reasons. We got to do whatever possible we can put a smile on their faces. This volunteering work touched me in more ways than one.
On reaching back to our host's place, we refreshed and went to Padmaparer Rannaghar near Gariahat Junction. Again Snehargho(out host) did the ordering. Nayanananda Sada Bhat, Kaaraisutir Triptikar Mug Dal, Alloo/Begum/Phulkopi/Patol Kumro, Amritamani Bektkir Jhal, Kalkatar Alaksunder Dhokar Dalna, Marjita Ruchi Alu Posto, Am Satyar Satti Chatni. Again we-3 of us were full for around 900/- this time.
After roaming around for a while, we returned to Ballygunje. Ajinkya made Poha for dinner. Day ended with me dosing off while watching the Borat movie -The Dictator.
09 October
missed day 2 of volunteering as we got up late. Had coffee, bread toasted with butter for breakfast. Ajinkya and me left Ballygunje around noon to head to Dhaksineswar temple and Belur Math. Reached Kalighat Metro station by bus from where took a Metro train to Dum Dum which costed Rs 8/- only for 45 min journey. From where we took DN9 bus to Dhaksineswar. Walked around the temple as it was closed for darshan; clicked loads of pictures.
We got into boat and headed to Belur Math which was again 20 min boat ride from Dhaksineswar. Boat ride was also damn cheap Rs 10/- only per person. After waiting for about an hour or so when Math opened, we walked around seeing places where Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda, and many more saints spend some their years/time in Belur Math. It was very peaceful, serene and close to nature. There was a pandol of Durga devi along with Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Ganesha and Subramania lords which was a treat for the eyes. Again we de-toured by boat until Dhaksineswar and then took local train from Dhaksineswar to Dum Dum was costed Rs 5/ per person only.
Public transportation ROCKS in this city. After a bit-of embarassment at EXACT FARE COUNTER, both of us reached Kalighat metro station. Within minutes of walking in the crowd, near the bus-stop, Snehargho Ghosh found us. It was blessing in disguise and such a coincidence. We then took breezers, beers and food for dinner. Rotis, Aloo sabsi, Egg curry and Daal. I dozed off watching the movie -Drive.
10 October
Went to Banchharam had Puri (masala) for breakfast.
As it was raining mostly chilled out indoors talking, watching movies and cooking. Ajinkya made Jeera/Ghee rice; Snehargho steamed rice and cooked Egg+Potato curry; I made mushroom curry with onion, tomatoes and bit of butter.We had lunch @ 5 PM. Then watched Silver lining Playbook enjoyed Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro's words a lot. After a while, late in the night -Ajinkya and Me went around to see Mandal(s)/Pandol(s) to take pictures and to get feel of crowd during Subo Pujo ;) days.
We ended up winding the day with coffee and Tex-Mex sandwich from Cafe Coffee Day.
11 October
All 3 of us went to Ahiritola Ghat on the banks of Ganges. Durga Puja kicks off with this event it seems. We met Koushik -Snehargho's friend. After spending some time taking pictures in Ahiritola walked-walked and walked a lot almost close to an hour to reach Nut Mandir -ancestral house where prayers were offered to beautiful idol of Durga devi. No breakfast on this day. During this walk, some local random-strange guy was also walking with us guiding/taking us to this place where Nut Mandir was located.
We went to Koushik's place had Puri, Aloo, Egg curry and Kher. Rested for a while on this hot-humid day. After couple of hours, we returned to Ballygunje. I had little bit of Poha (muddy cos of coriander) which Ajinkya made.
12 October
Dull day with hardly anything being done on this day as it was raining on and off due to Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Phailin. Ordered Pizza from Dominos -we had lunch @ 2 PM. Still Ajinkya and me headed to Spencers and shops near by to get some stuff to give it to our host -Mr. Ghosh who was very kind and smashing chap who studied Film studies and pursuing his passion of Photography. We wish him all the very best for his future endeavors. While returning Ajinkya and me headed to Banchharam had lot of sweets and 3 Dokla(s) and took 6 while leaving of which Ajinkya hogged 3 again. He's such a hogger -Thank god he's vegetarian.
13 October
This was supposed to be my last day of my trip. Got up early and went to Kalighat temple. I got into the Queue at 07:30 AM and was out in 40 min after darshan. Spent some time taking pictures in and around Kalighat temple -the shops, Pandols and the crowd on this festive day. I walked back from Kalighat to Ballygunje talking pictures of Mandaps-Pandols which attracted me. On my way, I had Parata in Banchharam this time they hadn't have Puri with masala stuffing.
Ajinkya's coffee-making ability -I had to write about this.
He opens milk sachet - pours half into the container-boils for a while - adds Nescafe and sugar - empties remaining milk into it. He used a Tea filter in the process; spills 1/4th of the coffee he made while pouring into glasses. He gives me 50% of what was left out while he and Snehargho shared the remaining 50%. This is 1 of the worst coffee I had ever had and will remain as funniest ever made as well. He had given a disclaimer that he sucks at making coffee still never thought he would use tea-filter for making coffee.
Burrah, Kachodi, Ganpathi Pappa, Fuck off n Die our favorite words and Garam Jol will be added to this list
We left around noon to have biryani at some place where they serve best biryani. Snehargho kept saying that Calcutta biryani is best even after being to Hyderabad once. We had to go to Zeshans as the place where we had to go was too full and we couldn't wait as I had to take the train @ 4 PM. Biryani was OK not so great. I took a taxi from there and reached Howrah by 02:20 PM in 20 min. No updates about the train I had to take which was to leave by 04:10 PM. I had called IVR before leaving and until 03:20 PM no news about train 12663 which was re-scheduled to 14 October due to cyclone Phailin.
I called Snehargho+Ajinkya told them am heading back to Ballygunje. Informed mom as well. Took a bus got off at Raebehari circle and it started to pour down. Took dosas from Madurai Meenakshi Dosa stall opp. to Oriental Bank and reached Snehargho's place by 06:20 PM. Ajinkya had made noodles and dosa was dinner. Talked around for a while and went out to roam and got back with 7 seasons Seagrams Wine.
14 October
As both of them went to book tickets to Siliguri -Snehargho's home town, I uploaded pictures in facebook. We had lunch at local -old restaurant where food was like home-made. It costed Rs 200/- for three. Again for the Nth time, we went to Banchharam had sweets again. I took small sweet samosas + sweets for home. I left Ballygunje by 2 PM or so by bus to reach Howrah around 03:15 PM. Howrah station was way too good with loads of passenger facilities like subway to ferry; vehicles can drive into station's platform and head out to bridge. Called to inform Snehargho while train left Howrah station. Subo Pujo over trip now.
End of 8 days of lovely experience in Kolkota-Calcutta for Durga Puja 2013.
