Esplanade, the heart of Kolkata

Esplanade, the heart of Kolkata

Esplande is a busy place, right?

Esplanade is one of the central points of intersection in this great city. People from the east and west, from north and south alike blend here to give shape to what is essentially the most thriving market in Kolkata. Populated with buildings from older days and people from a newer age, the subtle flow of the charms of Esplanade's busy streets stretch from New Market to Dharmatala. A great destination for first-timers in Kolkata, I'd however suggest you all to take proper precautions before coming here, because unlike Victoria Memorial and Gorer Math, Esplanade is not a place of serenity. It's quite the opposite.

Buzzing with activites from all directions, Esplanade stands witness to an unceasing flow of people walking to and from its multiple markets. There's not a moment to stop and take a nice shot, even. Esplanade is always on the move, and yet it physically goes nowhere. One of the stark contrasts I've seen in this area is between the high-rising modern buildings dominating (and decorating) the skyline, and the age-old buildings which still shelter booming business centres.

Do not fear, Spidey is here!

The New Market is the centre of Esplanade, but shops are almost everywhere. And ranging from a couple of cheap toys to curios, there's essentially nothing you can't find here. Things are usually cheap, especially the electronic gadgets (when you buy them from streetside sellers), and chances are, you'll be able to find a good bargain. There's a lot of competition between the emerging shops, and this gives buyer not only a multitude of options, but also a lot of control over the transaction. Don't like the behavior of one folk? Switch to the next shop. Think someone is trying to grab a chunk of money from you? Walk on, and on, and on till you find a suitable bargain.

Old and new buildings dominate Esplanade alike

Weekends are especially busy here, because thousands of tourists, domestic and foreigners alike, join the other thousands of pedestrians to savour a moment of booming Kolkata. Colorful shops dominate the streets, and larger ones are especially attractive. The Big Bazar, S.S Hogg market (maintained by the Calcutta Corporation), the New Market, the Kolkata Shopping Centre and countless underground malls will doubtless allure you into buying something to make the moment memorable. Roxy Cinema, one of the oldest and most respected ones in Kolkata, stands proudly beside the Esplanade metro station. You can watch the latest movies here after taking a lazy walk around the streets.

Streets are all interconnected, and much unlike the layout plan in North Kolkata, Esplanade enjoys a rectangular grid-like design. So I guess you won't be needing a GPS to walk around here. :)

Notable buildings in the region include the Calcutta Corporation, the historic New Market, the headquarters of the mounter corps division of the Calcutta police and the Oberoi Grand hotel. The Octerlony, nowadays called the Shahid Minar, is one of the most popular tourist spots here. And any day, you can see the mounted corps and their horses making their way through the crowded streets with surprising level of training.

The Calcutta Corporation

Esplanade stands testimony to a buzzing and fast-rising metropolis. The jib of activities here can turn every moment into a moment of memory. But let me say it once again, it is not a place to enjoy the serenity. Instead, it's the polar opposite of that. So, while you're welcome to visit the Esplanade, be sure to prepare yourself for a bit of fast-walking and good reflexes, due to the crammed jam everywhere. :)

How to get there: Esplanade is well-connected to all metro stations via the North-South metro railway, Kolkata. Also, buses connect it to almost all major sites in Kolkata.