Beating common allegations, Kolkata has much more to offer than just delicious food, beautiful art, and great cinema. If this is your first visit to the city, you must visit the lanes of Burra Bazar—India’s largest wholesale market.
An estimated 50,000 buyers and dealers visit the market every day. The majority of lanes and by-lanes, aside from the arterial route, are only 8 feet wide and unbelievably crowded with cars and people vying for space.
Burra Bazar, which translates to "large market," is one of India's biggest wholesale markets and a commercial centre in the central Kolkata area. It began as Sutanuti Haat, a textile and yarn market, circa 1738. Sutanuti Haat then gave place to Bazaar Kolkata, which eventually became Burra Bazar.
About 500 bighas made up the market, while another 400 bighas made up the residential area. Burrabazar is currently bordered by Posta on the north, Jorasanko on the east, B. B. D. Bagh on the south, and the Hooghly River on the west. From Howrah Bridge to Sealdah railway station, the 75-foot-wide Mahatma Gandhi Road cuts directly across Burra Bazar.
Based on the commodities it deals in, Burra Bazar is separated into highly specialised sub-markets, such as Dhotipatti, Fancypatti, Tulapatti, Chinipatti, etc. Other divisions include Kothi, Chowk, and Katra. "Anything and everything is available at Burrabazar," goes a common adage. "If you pay the proper money, you can even get a tiger's eye." Each katra (market) is associated with a specific item. In Burra Bazar, there are roughly twenty-five katras.
The long-forgotten Jewish history of this market is concealed behind its bustling streets and colourful stores. Most likely, the first foreign religion to reach India was Judaism. The bulk of the Jews who first travelled to India for trade were from Syria and Baghdad.
They established themselves at the ports of Cochin, Calcutta, and Bombay. The first Jewish businessman to establish in Calcutta was a jeweller who eventually became the court jeweller for a Muslim ruler and his son in Lucknow. Nevaeh Shalom, the first of five Jewish synagogues established in Kolkata, is located at Burra Bazaar.
Explore some of the market's most well-known areas, including Satyanarayan AC Market, Banstalla Street, Kalakar Street, and Bagri Market. If you're new to the neighbourhood and want to shop in a cosy underground market, Satyanarayan AC Market is the place to go. In general, it includes stores that sell ethnic clothing and fake jewellery, along with certain silver vendors.
Kalakar Street and Bastalla Street are quite crowded with winding pathways that resemble tree branches. A vast array of sarees and other clothing materials with vivid colours and embroidery can be seen on either side of the street as you enter. You should pay attention to Bagri Market because it is the location of all the bridal, junk and imitation jewelery that ranges in style from dainty to loud, unique to mainstream.
We can guarantee that you will discover what you want at a very affordable price. The Chinese lanterns, fruits, souvenirs, and other dazzling and sparkling curios displayed at the many stores are not only a feast for the eyes but also make up for all those Pinterest-worthy old Calcutta with love postcard frames.
If you can't resist the stores filled with sketchbooks, pots of gel pens, amazing pencils, creative-looking erasers, neon highlighters, banks of Post-it Notes and a plethora of other items, the Canning Street neighbourhood is a great place to shop for these kinds of things.
Amartalla Street is a playground for everyone, so if you have children or younger siblings and are unsure of what to get them, you can buy a few soft toys or more—there are no limits!
Cotton Street in the area should satisfy your synthetic saree requirements. Ezra Street and Pollock Street should be your first stop for all things electricity, lighting, and electric appliances. Need a set of fairy lights for Christmas? Do you need wedding venue lights? Do you merely want to make your home more cosy with those aesthetically pleasing lights and lamps you see on Instagram? Yes, this section of Burra Bazar will undoubtedly make you hum, "lights will guide you home."
Chitpur is a jumble of everything kitchen, including cookware and other home and décor items, whereas Strand Road is where you'll find all the hardware appliances and industrial supplies. All of the spices you need for everyday cooking, comfort cooking, and luxury cooking will be presented at the shops bordering Jorashanko.
People balancing crates four times their weight on their heads, sellers setting up their stores in impossible-to-fit spaces, hand-rickshaw pullers navigating through crowded alleys, and shoppers haggling as if it were their last chance to shop. Despite the complete chaos, at first glance, you’ll see how it looks like a scene from a drama about a marketplace, with characters busily acting out their parts and knowing just how they should move and act—harmonious despite its disarray.
This is where Kolkata shines like a diamond in the rough since the vegetarian food served in the restaurants and shops here is the best you can taste. This is because a substantial portion of Burra Bazar's wholesale company owners are amalgamations of Marwaris, Gujratis, and other non-Bengali businesses. Here’s our recommendation for you:
Gujarati Basa
The only establishment in Kolkata that serves unlimited thalis that are pure vegetarian, and potatoes are a side dish here. You won't have to wait long to get your hot rotis here, and the daal is made with high-quality, homey rice. And it just costs INR 120! Sabji, chutney, farsan, salad, chapati/poori, and rice are typically served in one thali. The dahi, chutney, and papad are chargeable.
LBB tip: There is also no sign or board directing you to the restaurant, so you can ask somebody for assistance.
Timing: Monday to Saturday, 10 AM-1:30 PM and 6:45 PM-9 PM. Closed on Sundays.
Kandoni Sweets
Kolkata is one of the best places to eat authentic cuisine from all over the world. At 180-year-old Kandoni Sweets and Snacks, try theplas with mirchi achar. Thecha with theplas is also an amazing power combo here. The gulab jamun is delicious and incredibly soft. And if you go early, you can get freshly prepared gulaab paak, which is basically sticky and oozy. It is said to resemble a kalakand once it is settled. The creamiest of srikhand resides in this confectionery, so be sure to sample these as well.
LBB tip: Must try Sindhi pakwan, khajali, fafda, dry kachori
Timing: Monday to Sunday, 7 AM - 9 PM
Contact: 098360 09350
Ambika Bhujiyawala
When your stomach rumbles and you're yearning that crispy golden pyaz kachori? That's when you turn to Ambika Bhujiyawala.
Timing: Monday to Sunday, 6 AM - 9 PM
Kaligodam
The first destination on the opposite side was of the tram line is the fabled Kaligodam. They sell delicious and scrumptious boondi by the kilogramme. There are many different, namkeens, and other snacks! Their kaju barfii and boondi were delicious. They also sell samosas, kachori, and other snacks.
Timing: Monday to Sunday, 7 AM - 9 PM
Zakariya Street
Particularly for those fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, Zakariya street food comes to life. Because of this, Zakariya Street is a veritable melting pot of the city during this time of year. As a result, the passageways feature delicacies made right around the corner. Winter is the second season to explore the abundance of food.
The foodgasm you’ll get after devouring suta kabab from Adam Kabab Shop is worth the “oomph!” While Dilshad Laziz Kabab offers dahi & malai kabab, you should also try a plate of chicken special kabab from Al Baik, beef boti roll from New Lucknow Hotel, beef chaanp and phirni from Bombay Hotel, haleem from Sufia, falooda and lassi from Taskeen. Lastly, if you still have some space in your full stomach, get the afghani chicken from Dilli 6 and battisi halwa from Haji Allauddin Sweets.
There is so much to see that you won't know where to start. The stunning ancient warehouses on Strand Road and Howrah Bridge make for perfect backdrops for any of your mood boards. You will occasionally catch a glimpse of the Hooghly River. Visit Kolkata's largest mosque, Nakhoda Masjid, on Zakariya Street near Burrabazar, as well as the Rabindra Sarani crossing near the market.
The Nakhoda Mosque, Kolkata's major and largest mosque, was built in 1926 and can accommodate 10,000 worshippers. With its elaborate exterior and green-roofed domes, minars (Indian turrets), and minarets, this massive red-sandstone structure, which is situated in Kolkata's Chitpur neighbourhood, is reminiscent of India's Fatehpur Sikri architectural style.
Timing: 11 AM - 9 PM
You can take the metro to Mahatma Ghandhi Road or Chandni Chowk, then walk. You can also ride various buses to the Burra Bazar station.
