It’s common knowledge that north Kolkata is full of old heritage buildings whose history is as rich as its architecture. Bidhan Sarani has its own share of heritage buildings that line its hood. The first one that you’ll come across is, of course, the Laha Bari, the grand mansion boasting of colonnade pillars and stained-glass windows that once belonged to Raja Kristo Dass Laha. Walk a few yards down from the Laha Bari to take a look of the palace of Dwarka Nath Dutta of Thanthania. While both these houses are famous for their Durga Puja, it’s a good idea to visit them on a regular day to take in their grandeur without the hustle bustle of a crowd.
The restored family mansion of Vivekananda will woo you with its simplicity. Standing at the corner of Gaur Mohan Mukherjee Lane, Vivekanada’s house has been restored and transformed into a museum and an institute of learning by the Ramakrishna Mission.
Besides this, don’t miss out on visiting the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj hall {a meeting place of Brahmos, built in 1878} and the Arya Samaj Temple. Another iconic temple worth visiting is, of course, the Thanthania Kali Mandir that draws in hundreds of devotees and visitors every day.