Unconventional places to visit in and around Kolkata

With its iconic Howrah Bridge, heritage buildings, colourful Durga Puja and rich cultural traditions, the “City of Joy” aka Kolkata is truly multifaceted. The almost ancient-looking trams, trademark yellow taxis, the ubiquitous street food, the quintessential style of the locals, this city’s love for cricket and football as much as for its art and music—all make Kolkata a city with a charm like none other. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly river, history of this city has been recorded since the 17th century, ever since the East India company was set up by the British. Today, the metro city is the commercial and financial hub of the east and is also the cultural capital of the India with country’s most prolific musicians, poets, writers, scholars and film-makers hailing from the city.
The capital city of the state of West Bengal, Kolkata is well-connected by air, rail and road. The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is about 17 km away; this city also has an efficient railway system that is connected to most major cities and towns in the country. Kolkata is quite humid for most of the year, thus the best time to visit is during the winter months of November to February. The second largest city in India after Mumbai, Kolkata is home to some of the best art galleries, museums and temples. While much has been said and written about its innumerable tourist attractions, there are a few unconventional yet extremely interesting places in and around the city.