Shyambazar: A Complete Guide To Explore This Historic Kolkata Neighbourhood

The Calcutta Bungalow combines hotel-like comforts with the personality, warmth, and friendliness of a Bengali family. The decor has incredible attention to detail and piques your interest. It is a one-of-a-kind, wonderfully refurbished location, just what you'd expect to see in a historic, eccentric city like Kolkata. The rooms are comfortable and have a theme. yet they don't seem forced or fake. 

The louvred windows, called khorkhoris, were given new life alongside bedside tables and patio decor to match the muted colour scheme. Visitors can compose letters on the portable typewriters in each room. Can you fit every room and nook of Calcutta Bungalow on your phone? If not, make room since this B&B embodies the classic, nostalgic charm of Calcutta.

Established by the West Bengal government, the West Bengal State Handloom Weavers, also called Tantuja, is one of the greatest venues to purchase traditional Bengali weaves. Choose from a variety of handloom sarees and native cotton weaves, including Jamdani, Tangail, Baluchuri, Dhakai, and Dhanekhali sarees. Along with bed linens, towels, and other items, this store also sells men's clothing like dhotis and lungis

By sticking to a low-key strategy, Mitra Theatre stands out from others that have failed to thrive. Although the sound system is not Dolby, customers are satisfied with the sound quality. A conventional, old-fashioned, and reasonably priced movie theatre for everyone. Perhaps the most affordable theatre in North Kolkata. Seats on the balcony are what I would suggest for a better experience. All of the main Bengali and Hindi films are screened here. It is conveniently placed in Bidhan Sarani, between Shyambazar and Hatibagan. 

Old Calcutta has tram tracks, however, operations ceased in October 2024 after an announcement from the state government. Still, just to experience what it feels like to roam around sitting by a tram window, there is a unique Heritage Tram ride that travels from Maidan to Esplanade, passing by all of the sites, such as the Tipu Sultan Masjid, the Church of Christ the King, the Victoria Memorial, the South Park Street Cemetery, St. Teresa's Residence, Birla Mandir, and Sacred Heart Church. 

You'll also see Bethune College, the famous College Street, also called Boi Para, some of the city's ancient theatres, and some of the city's magnificent houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. For this ride, tickets must be booked. Heritage tram rides come in two varieties—a standard tram ride and a tram ride that also leads to the Calcutta Tramways Museum. The tickets include snacks and food.

There are now only four of the sixteen massive Doric columns outside the mansion of Nagendranath Basu that formerly had plaster lions' heads on them. The rest has undergone fairly dreadful renovations. As one reaches the house's main courtyard, a thakurdalan with five archways formed by six enormous fluted Doric columns is visible. The inner sanctum is reached by five additional archways that are visible from the courtyard beyond the pillars.

The Law family constructed four homes for their sons and other companies 175 years ago, but none of the four baris were present. Despite being Laha Baris, each of them has a unique style that makes them stand out with their green windows and red-brick homes. The first is indicated by "Bechu Chatterjee Street," the second by "Pasteur," which indicates a business on the property, the fourth by "Ulto deekay Durga Charan," which indicates the premises across from "Pasteur," and the fourth by "Kailash Bose."

The Laha Bari on Bechu Chatterjee Street makes up the setting and foundation of beloved movies like Piku, Parineeta, Love Aajkal and Barfi.

The Clock Tower at the home of Lalitkumar Mitra, Mullick's Kamala Palace, and Bhupendranath Bose are further historical and heritage residences. Radha Kanto Jeu Street also has some old-fashioned townhouses.

The sensation of seeing a sunset or sunrise is indescribable, especially when you have the Ganga flowing by. Kumortoli ghat is also the ghat for diety and idol creators and it feels as serene as a soft Bengali love ballad playing in the background if you go there early in the morning. Groups of people congregate to talk, sing, play instruments and liven up the ghat during peak hours. As you take in the splendour, you can sip on soothing chai at any of the many tea stalls that are there.