Referred as one of the top shopping destinations in Kolkata, Gariahat is filled with shops and street hawkers selling everything fashionable without making your wallet cry, much like what Sharojini Nagar is to Delhi or Fashion Street to Mumbai. While it's hard for anyone to go to Gariahat and not return with their bags filled, here's our take on what else you can do in the same area.
Here Are Five Fun Things To Do In Gariahat Besides Shopping
Drop By The General Library At RamKrishna Mission Institute Of Culture
Not only does this library have thousands of books, rare archives and journals, The General Library is the place to come if you wish to access an extensive database of lectures and music recitals recorded and archived through the years. You can also get an annual to lifetime subscription done here at a nominal rate.
Play A Round Of Chess Under The Flyover
Join the Gariahat Chess Club at a fee of INR 10 and play some pretty intense rounds of chess. The game usually starts around 7pm and from chess champions, MPhil students to hawkers and pavement dwellers, everyone takes a shot at the game at this truly unique club.
Indulge Yourself In the Roadside Food Stalls
Besides restaurants, Gariahat is lined up with numerous street food stalls selling rolls, momo, puchka, fries, sherbet and much more. While Nawab snack bar's hot kathi roll is a crowd-favourite, we highly recommend dropping by Shankar's cabin near Golpark for their crispy fish butter fry.
Visit Chitrakoot Art Gallery
Built in 1980s, Chitrakoot Art Gallery is one of the oldest commercial art galleries in the city. Drop in to browse through the paintings, sculpture and art by all famous artists - Gaganendranath and Abanindranath Tagore, Jamini Roy, and Nandalal Bose.
Visit Birla Mandir
Do you know this white marble mandir has a historical lineage and took 26 years to complete? Take a short ride from Gariahat More towards Ballygunge and drop by Birla Mandir. Devoted to Radha-Krishna, the mandir is also a popular tourist spot and is definitely worth a dekko for its architectural designs.
