Where is Kolkata? Located in the eastern part of India, Kolkata is the most prominent place to enrich Bengal's culture. With tropical wet-and-dry Kolkata weather, the city is located nearby of Bay of Bengal. With the integration of three villages, namely Kalikata, Gobindapur, and Sutanuti, the city of Kolkata has been the place of all religions and castes apart from Bengalese. West Bengal has retained and maintained the culture through festivals and occasions like book fairs and Durga Puja. It is often said that Bengalese celebrates 13 festivals in 12 months. Hence, festivals and occasions go on throughout the year. A photographer deals with capturing shots with themes. Kolkata will give the perfect themes for good pictures for the foreigners who travel to India. In this article, we will discuss what to do in Kolkata. Before Indian Independence, the city was the state of India. The Britishers resided here for a long time. Time passed, but the history of aristocracy is still prevalent in the old architectural monuments and cultural buildings of this city. It has acted like a sponge that has absorbed and retained the old culture and tradition. Hence, many old places and streets have been good shooting locations for the photographers. Instagram deals with the emotion regarding the shot. A city full of emotion will give the reader a lot of prime locations for Instagramming.
List of 12 Instagrammable places in Kolkata
Some of the few myriads of spots have been discussed in this article. It is surely going to take the reader to the bygone era. So, here is a list of things and what to do in Kolkata.
1. Indian Museum
This place alone holds the aura of British India. It is situated near Dalhousie. Renowned for being the biggest museum in India, the museum is filled with archaeological relics and assets that reflect the rich culture of India. Photography is now allowed inside. The big auditorium shaped rooms, the old textured stairs, the history together mix up the environment to be a perfect shooting location during the travel to Kolkata India. One should surely get theme-based photography spots spread throughout the entire museum. So, whenever you travel to Kolkata India you must start the photographic journey from this spot.
2. Park Street
This thoroughfare is the best place to visit in Kolkata for trying some authentic cuisines during travel to India. One must visit the street during Christmas. The entire area is decorated with lights and fancy items making it look like a foreign shooting location. All local news channels gather to catch this beauty. It is the busiest street in Kolkata. Many old cafes, restaurants, and multi-cuisine delicacies find their home in this area. Instagramming food is a part of photography. Meeting the hunger of appetite and getting the best shots can both be achieved by visiting this place.
3. Mullik Ghat Flower Market
The flower market of Mullik Ghat is one of the beautiful places to visit in Kolkata during travel to Kolkata India. Being the largest flower market in Asia, Mullik Ghat makes the feel of the manmade botanical garden of India. The wide variety of sunflowers, marigolds, and roses creates the ambience of heaven. Foreigners come to see this wholesale market of flowers that come to visit Kolkata. Located in B.B.D. Bagh, Mullik Ghat is one of the best Instagrammable places in Kolkata. The famous Howrah Bridge is located near the floral market, which is another remarkable beauty of the city. The refreshing flowers and variant sweet smell attract the crowd to visit every morning to buy flowers for loved ones.
4. South Park Street Cemetery
Apart from being the prime location for clicking pictures, this place to visit in Kolkata is also famous for being one of the haunted locations of Kolkata. Established during the British reign, this cemetery is filled with tombs and designed obelisks dedicated to the military and eminent personalities who breathed last in Bengal. While roaming around the cemetery, one can see many locations that will make it to the list of leading Instagrammable places of Kolkata. The architectural styles of the tombs and the writings on them will take one to the past. Those who want to sense and touch history should come to this location on South Park Street.
5. Victoria Memorial
The marble building made in honour of Queen Victoria surely hits the list of 12 Instagrammable places of Kolkata. A huge green garden was built surrounding the building. It is a good spot for a picnic, friend meets and of course, photography. Inside the building, a museum has been set up that reflects the rich heritage of British India. Many chariots are present outside, who takes on a small ride to the big place. The entire spot can help the photographer with a lot of clicks and beautiful portraits. The green grass, the blue sky and the white marble make the best match.
6. St. Paul's Cathedral
This church area is filled with the history of the past. Within the church, the camera is not allowed. But the green meadow outside with the magnificent church in the background can be the place for posing on Instagram. Get your e visa India, make a plan and get your most liked photo on Instagram there!
7. Chinatown
The establishment of the area is linked to the history of Bengal. Long back, the Chinese traders came for business in Bengal. They were attracted to the place settled in the ports. Their successors also raised their families and livelihood in this region. All kind of Asian delicacies is available in Chinatown. It is the only authentic Chinatown in India. Though Asian food is served in costly restaurants and most of the places have lost their glory, but Chinatown in Kolkata is still rich in cultural heritage. The food-lovers come here to taste awesome pork sausage, prawn crackers, momo, and soup.
8. Kumartuli
Durga Pujais the biggest festival in West Bengal. Most of the deities are prepared in Kumortuli. A traditional potter's quarter has become a lovely place for featuring photographic shots. The unfinished earthen sculptures of gods, demons, heavenly figures make it to be one of the good Instagrammable places in Kolkata. It is a cultural spot where potters and sculptors have been residing for a long time, much before the Independence of India. The deities are made by clay modelling only using hand. One will be amazed to see their degree of perfection. Many pujas outside India like Germany, London give orders from Kumortuli. Hence this cultural spot has already attained a global identification.
9. Eco Park
If the person wants to have an amazing location for shooting and also for a picnic, this park is a good location. Recently the state government has transformed a grassland area in the Salt Lake area into this beautiful spot. The entire area is entered through different gates, and the scenic beauty of this tourist spot is very nice. Mother's Wax Museum is situated near this location, which can also be visited. One can go there and enjoy the beauty of the natural ecosystem from a closer distance.
10. Howrah Bridge
While watching a portfolio on Kolkata, one must have seen the ash-colour painted suspended bridge structure. It is the Howrah Bridge. Bollywood and the television industry signifies the eternal nature of love through Howrah Bridge. It connects the land and situated on the Hooghly River. At night, the lights on the bridge look so beautiful from a far location. Its reflection falls on the river, which creates a heaven-like appearance. The end of this bridge leads to the largest flower market in Kolkata. It can be regarded as the unofficial emblem of the city. It comes in the list of top Instagrammable places in Kolkata.
11. Prinsep Ghat
Sunset boating in Prinsep Ghat is always loved. The dusky shots of the evening sky with the boat sailing make Prinsep Ghat one of the most preferred Instagrammable places to look for. Though it is mostly visited by couples for spending time together, many professional photographers come here when they get confused about what to do in Kolkata. The name "Prinsep" is based on a British personality of that time. The Ghat is the place where the boats and steamer sail and carries passengers. It is located on the bank of river Ganga, and a white architectural building is situated on the opposite side of the Ghat built in honour of British merchant John Prinsep.
12. College Street
It is the biggest book market in India and one of the Instagrammable places in Kolkata. The entire street is filled with bookstalls on both sides of the road. The famous Coffee House, where the eminent personalities of 90's Bengal used to come, still serves as the best place to sip the coffee and involve a heated argument. The song of Manna Dey deserves a special mention in this context. One will be amazed to see the collection of books available in this area. The best part is it sells the books at the lowest price than any retailing shop.
Conclusion
Whether tasting the traditional food of West Bengal or wearing the ethnic kurta-pyjamas, Kolkata is a merging point of culture, ethnicity, and tradition. These magnificent locations are mostly part of Kolkata street tours for foreigners who travel to India. One can click many pictures or do a photoshoot of the models. The genuine texture of the background instead of the artificial studio setup is the priceless element of the clicked pictures. Just visit these locations and enjoy the aura of the place.
