North Kolkata is still vibing with the elegance and charm of old Kolkata.
Numerous beautiful old structures, picturesque neighborhoods, and narrow lanes complete the aura of North Kolkata.
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Belgachia, Shyambazar, Chitpur, Shobhabazar, Maniktala, Jora Sanko, and other neighborhoods make up the area.
It serves as the town’s principal cultural hotspot and also as a residential hub.
There are many iconic places in these areas that are among the must-visit sites in Kolkata.
In this article, you will get to know about the following places to visit in North Kolkata,
Let’s see each of these places in detail…
1. Kumartuli
Kumartuli is undoubtedly one of the rich places in North Kolkata flourishing with beautiful handicrafts and flawless works of artisans.
It is exclusive how the artisans add life to the idols of Gods and Goddess molded with bamboo, clay, straw, and other materials.
During the festivals, the narrow lanes of Kumartuli are dotted with clay idols, and often you can see artisans pouring their efforts to give these idols a perfect shape, and beautifully hand-paint their faces.
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How amazing to know that the idols created in these narrow muddy lanes are preserved securely in museums or are exported to London!
For every festival, a large number of artisans put in a lot of effort throughout the year to give each idol life which brings smiles to lakhs of visitors every year.
If you appreciate art, Kumartuli can provide you with a magnificent dose of culture in its purest form.
2. Jorasanko Thakur Bari
Jorasanko Thakur Bari is one of the treasures in Kolkata.
This beautiful house is the birthplace of the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
The Thakur bari has also been converted into a museum and there are many literature and artworks of Rabindranath Tagore that have been displayed in the galleries.
You can see several valuable things here such as photographs, handwritten letters, and other valuable antiques of the royal family.
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The massive brick red house also has impressive architecture with long and rounded verandahs, well-maintained gardens, and carved pillars interconnecting the passageways.
The mansion also has been the backbone of social and cultural reforms of the Bengal Renaissance and Brahmo Samaj.
The Thakur bari museum is open every day from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm except Mondays and government holidays.
Entry fee: For students: INR 10, For adults: INR 20
3. Hatibagan
Hatibagan is a traditional market in Kolkata, which is a favorite spot for street-side shoppers.
It is also popular for having old movie theaters.
This market has a large number of permanent and temporary stores selling a variety of goods from cheap jewelry to home appliances, clothing to shoes.
Thus you may get a wide variety of things at one location.
Saree lovers, in particular, can come here to shop for a broad range of silk and cotton Bengal sarees at reasonable prices.
You can also enjoy papri or kachori chaat at street-side stalls, or you can also visit the nearby best restaurants and cafes in Hatibagan.
Therefore, spending an entire day shopping, eating, and watching movies makes Hatibagan an iconic destination in North Kolkata.
4. Marble Palace
The beautiful Marble Palace was built in 1835 by a wealthy Bengali merchant named Raja Rajendra Mullick.
The Grand Mansion is an architectural marvel that combines neoclassical elements with traditional Bengali elements and touches on the Chinese style of architecture.
It was built with premium quality Italian marble, giving the entire structure a majestic appearance.
The palace’s beautiful decor and art collection of the Victorian era attract many tourists every year.
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The palace houses 76 rare artworks brought from Italy and Belgium in 1830, making it a treasure trove of valuable artifacts accumulated over the past 180 years.
In addition to western sculptures, chandeliers, rustic furniture, and other artifacts and decorative objects, the palace has well-manicured lawns and gardens.
You can visit this palace from 10:00 am-4:pm except on Mondays and Thursdays.
5. Tirreti Bazaar
If you are fond of exploring new food, culture, and tradition, Old Chinatown or Territi Bazar is ideal for you!
The narrow lanes of Tangra are a blend of ancient Chinese traditions, customs, and beliefs.
The place is fascinating as a large number of East Asian people have set up their food stalls and sell delicious Chinese delicacies like momos, chicken pies, fish Sui Mais, spring rolls, Hakka noodles, Sweet balls, coconut balls, fish ball soups, sticky rice.
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So if you are a food lover, Territi Bazaar is a paradise for you. It is open from 5 in the morning and the market gets crowded from then onwards.
You can also visit the popular Kali Temple in this place.
Many visitors come here to offer pujas to Goddess Kali and receive Chowmein as the main prasad.
This culinary heritage is therefore one of the iconic attractions of North Kolkata.
6. Sovabazar Rajbari
Sovabazar Rajbari is another popular heritage site in North Kolkata.
Durga Puja is the ideal time to visit this location.
This royal family vigorously celebrates Durga Puja and upholds the old Bengali custom.
This palace is a true representation of West Bengal’s regal past.
The Rajbari has an expansive courtyard, multifoliate arches, beautifully crafted substantial pillars, etc.
In the middle of the 1700s, Maharaja Nabakrishna Deb built Sovabazar Rajbari.
Robert Clive, the first British Governor of the Bengal Presidency, considered him his comrade.
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Bengal was dominated by British culture and in 1757 he founded Durga Puja in Sovabazar Rajbari.
Since that time, the festival has continued to be celebrated with grandeur.
The Raj bari is open for 24 hours, but its official time is from 4 pm to 5 pm.
During Durga Puja, people can visit at any time of the day.
The newly constructed Kolkata and Sealdah stations, one of India’s busiest train stations, are both nearby to north Kolkata.
So you can easily visit any of these places on a holiday or weekend as these places are well accessible via metros, buses, and taxis too.
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