A Drive to Dhanyakuria

Another Sunday Morning and our Maruti Suzuki Ertiga is wondering what road lies ahead. Blue skies with white puffy cotton like clouds is just too inviting for a little road trip. We had heard of a place called Dhanyakuria, a small village/town which was known for its palatial Zamindari Baris. We had done some research and knew there were a couple of them that were worth the 70km drive from Kolkata.

So as the morning progressed with a spat of rain brining the temperature down, once it cleared up, we hit the road by noon.

The road via Rajarhat is lined with beautiful landscapes on either side of the highway.

You will get to see miles and miles of water on either side which are Fisheries and in all likelihood you'll spot a fisherman or two in his boat out catching fish on these vast expanses of water.

At Deganga the landscape changes very quickly and it's like driving through dense forests. We barely saw the sky for miles.

This is the first Building you get to see, once you turn off left from the Taki Road towards Dhanyakuria. The Higher Secondary School. Even this building looks like it was built hundreds of years ago.

Once you come to this building, it means you are in Dhanyakuria and the amazing Zamindari Baris are just around the corner.

The first Zamindari Bari and the Biggest and best maintained on in Dhanyakuria is the Gaine Bari

Drive a bit further and you came across Ballav Bari another one of the Zamindari Baris.

Outside the Ballav Bari is this Tower/Building which is truly magnificent. If you look closely, the intricate masonry is amazing.

Yeah, we do get fans on our travels and these two boys led the way from Gaine bari till here and followed us as we went to our next point.

The main Mandir with a huge ground in front of it and a large pond behind. It is now used once a year for the main Puja.

A dilapidated gate that leads to Sawoo Bari.

Sawoo Bari.

I had to jump over a wall to get into the compound for this view of the Sawoo Bari.

This is another Zamindari Bari on the road in Dhanyakuria. Have no idea what it is called.

We found an old man walking along with his cycle and while chatting with him, convinced him to park his cycle and show us around this little village with its hidden treasures. So this is one Gate he brought us to after navigating through narrow meandering village roads.

Further into the village was this Temple and behind it were some more houses from olden days.

After looking around Dhanyakuria, we drove out onto the main Taki Road and found our final stop. This was the Building we had been looking for since we got here. And this is just the Entrance.

Gaine Gardens. We we just about got this picture, as we strolled in through those huge gates and wandered around till a caretaker came screaming at us for trespassing. So apparently the sign on the gate says so in Bengali. This property has been taken over by the Government and serves as an orphanage for Girls.

Dhanyakuria! off the bucket list! we head back towards Kolkata and enjoy the drive through those magnificent water bodies as the sun goes down.

Our faithful Maruti Suzuki Ertiga basking in the twilight after taking us to another wonder magical destination.

The 3 travelers, my wife, me and our Maruti Suzuki Ertiga ZXi.

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A Day of Nature and Tranquility at Vedic Village

 

We drove down to spend the day at Vedic Village, a beautiful getaway just a short drive from Kolkata. With the option to book an entire villa, it makes for a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

We spent the day simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings and soaking in the abundance of nature all around us. The greenery here is a real treat for birdwatchers, with kingfishers and munias being frequent visitors. There is plenty of other wildlife to discover too, from colourful butterflies and fascinating spiders to snakes that apparently call the area home—although, thankfully, we didn't come across any!

Sometimes, all you need is a little greenery, fresh air and a quiet day away from the city to recharge. Vedic Village was just the place for that.

S G Snacks Bar: Momos and a Bowl of Amazing Soup

 

There are a few roadside food stalls near our place that have become our go-to spots for a quick and satisfying bite. One of them is S G Snacks Bar, where they make some absolutely awesome momos.

But as good as the momos are, what really steals the show for me is the bowl of soup served alongside them. In fact, it is possibly the best soup I have ever tasted with momos—warm, comforting, flavourful, and the perfect accompaniment to those delicious little dumplings.

So, when we were wondering what to have for dinner, the decision was easy. We headed out for some momos and, of course, that wonderful bowl of soup that makes a visit to S G Snacks Bar totally worth it!

The Maidan is the Lung of Kolkata

 

The Maidan is often called the Lung of Kolkata, and it’s easy to see why. This vast expanse of green in the heart of the city welcomes people from all walks of life. On a Sunday morning, it comes alive with youngsters engaged in all kinds of sporting activities, from cricket and football to simply enjoying the outdoors.

The reason I drop by once in a while, though, is to admire the amazing Kolkata skyline that the Maidan offers. With the city's iconic buildings rising beyond this sea of green, it provides some wonderful opportunities for photography. Today was one such day.

After spending some time at the Maidan, we drove over to The Tea Trove. My wife had heard quite a bit about their Popsicles and was keen to try these chilled-out treats. So, of course, we did!

Since we were already out and just driving around, a sudden craving for Momos took over. That led us to Momo Plaza on Elgin Road, which, in my opinion, serves some of the best Momos and Thupka in town.

And just like that, our evening drive turned into a perfect little Kolkata outing—with a beautiful skyline, chilled Popsicles, and a delicious Momo-and-Thupka dinner to round things off.

Kolkata’s Ever-Changing Skyline

 

Every now and then, when I visit my Aunt’s place in Park Circus, I love heading up to the terrace with my camera. There’s something about looking out over Kolkata from above—the city’s ever-changing skyline always seems to offer something new and interesting to capture.

The towering presence of The 42 rising over Chowringhee is hard to miss. With its impressive height, it has added a whole new dimension to Kolkata’s skyline and is a reminder that the City of Joy can still surprise you. One might naturally imagine Mumbai, with its forest of skyscrapers, holding the distinction of having India’s tallest building, but Kolkata never ceases to surprise.

The Maa Flyover, which came up right in front of the house, also offers some wonderful opportunities for dramatic photography, adding yet another interesting element to the constantly evolving cityscape.

After spending the day at my Aunt’s place, we headed back home, stopping for dinner at KFC in Kasba. A simple end to a day that began with family, a little photography, and some great views of the city I love.