Calcutta Part 3

The next day early morning I decided to take a stroll with my camera (as it was really bright by 6 am)

From far I could see this huge board and as I came closer I realised that it was the entrance to a garden. The bench and the lamp post indicates it to be a place to relax. (sometimes simple illustrations convey the meaning in a subtle way)

Early morning joggers were already leaving the park (and I thought I was the one who got up early! )

A little ahead of the garden is  the south entrance to the famous Victoria Memorial. There is a lot of history attached to the Victoria Memorial and how it was built but I won’t go into it.

 After paying a nominal entrance fee of Rs 5, I came directly in front of King Edward VII arch. The statue over the arch is really big but you fail to notice it as it is very high up

Before clicking I placed myself in such a way that it looked as if King Edward was looking directly at me. The horse’s one leg was raised, indicating that the rider was injured in action (if both the legs are raised, it depicts that the rider has died in action)

The lawns around the Memorial had a few people doing their stretching and breathing exercise

while the squirrels and the birds were happy to sunbathe in the  morning

Saw this tree on the lawns. One may link it to one of those contemporary modern art (with some inner meaning that the artist wants to convey) but to me it looks like the tree is decaying from one side and needs immediate attention

On the front right side of the Memorial is this placid lake with an old rusty pump. A good example of how rotary motion is converted to linear motion.

On the way back I decided to have tea and found many outlets  near the Gurudwara chowk.

People were having their breakfast either in their car or  on the benches provided.

Hot jalebis were being prepared and this guy had to literally work  fast to meet the demands of his customers

  

One unique thing that I observed was the people sitting outside the eateries. I mean its not only in Europe  that you find this phenomena of sitting out. . . . .

I feel there is a similarity here in Calcutta

Later in the day wifey was all excited as we were going to …… yes you guessed it right, we were going shopping ! I was more worried about getting to the place, but as usual the Calcutta taxi came to the rescue. He took us to the right place   (Dakshinapan) through the shortest route.

The whole complex had emporiums from different states of India. We decided to visit this one which was sort of a co-operative shop run by the government. The prices were reasonable and we did buy a little more than half a dozen including some Dakhai Jamdhani sarees. 

These ladies were very helpful in ‘selecting’ the sarees (and I learned a few lessons in salesmanship )

While the sarees were being selected I was more engrossed in the game of carom that was going on outside the shop.  My hands were itching as its been ages since I laid my hands on a striker.

After dinner we went for a stroll and found these pandals with deities all lit up and displayed at many of the by lanes.

Now, how can I end a write up on Calcutta without a picture of Durga? 

Truly a city of joy.

Next post. . . . . . life in Goa