Top 10 Winter Must-Dos in Kolkata

Winter is almost here in my city, Kolkata. I say almost, because winter keeps playing hide and seek here. Its there now, gone for a few days, then suddenly it remembers us again! ⛄

Of course, its a different matter that the monkey caps and shawls come out at the first signs of chilly air. Kolkata residents are very particular about flaunting winter wear, whether required or not! 😄

But, as a city, Kolkata really celebrates winters. 

Let's check out the top activities to indulge in here:

• Gather your friends, neighbours, relatives, office/business associates, literally anyone, and go for a picnic to a farm-house/ resort in the suburbs.
  
  
  Preferably with a waterbody for "boat-rides" and lawns for playing cricket/badminton. Take a cook along or arrange for a caterer to provide hot piping food. Because a picnic is all about food, isn't it? The menu must include breakfast, snack, and lunch, with an option of evening tea and snacks too! Start the day with pakora chai, then follow up with koraishutir kochuri or luchi (poori) and alur dom, then a lavish lunch of chicken/mutton biryani , raita and sweets, or a sumptuous meal of rice, dal, beguni (fried brinjals in besan), vegetables, meat curry, chutney, sweets, the whole rigmarole.

• Visit the Alipore zoo with the kiddies. This is a must-do in December/January when the whole of Kolkata descends to meet their furry and feathered friends. 
• Laze around on the Maidan grounds in the sun. After a while, you will start sweating (remember fleeting winter?) but who cares! Gorge on jhalmuri, roasted groundnuts or chana, ice-cream, candy-floss, tea, etc. etc. 
  
• Winter means fairs across the city. These are ranging from handicrafts exhibitions, to lifestyle product displays, to carnivals.
  
  
  Take your pick, and plan an outing. You will be amazed at the range of products being sold at unbelievably affordable prices. especially handicrafts, handlooms and ethnic ware. Shop to your heart's content, gorge on the street food being sold in various stalls. walk around, soak in the festive atmosphere.
• Eat your fill of nolen gur sweets and pithe puli during Sankranti.  
  
  
  It's harvesting season, and quite chilly during this time. So indulge in nolen gur delicacies like gokul pithe, patishapta and rosh bora, along with nolen gur sandesh and gurer roshogolla 😋
• 
  
  The baap of exhibitions - Boi Mela or the Kolkata Book Fair is held in end-January. Winter is almost gone by then, but its definitely worth visiting the outdoor fair during day-time to mingle with the cheerful crowds, buy your favourite books and knick-knacks, and yes, once again - gorge on your favourite rolls, chops, momos, biriyani, chowmein, and a boggling variety of sweets.  
• Visit Nahoums or Saldana's bakery, and get your fill of cakes, pastries and other baked goodies. Christmas is BIG in Kolkata. Nobody celebrates Yuletide quite like us Kolkatans.  Wherever you go, the Christmas spirit and festive cheer is evident. 
  
• Take a buggy ride around Victoria Memorial. These colourful horse-drawn carriages are open air, and let you shout yourself hoarse while sprinting through the wide roads around the Maidan. Great hit with people of all age groups!
• Attend sundry marriages, events, parties, celebrations. Almost everyone has a party to attend during winter in this city. Open-air or indoors, flaunt your best silks and winter garments, have barbecued delights, and feel warm and fuzzy.
• Visit the Missionaries of Charity, or some other orphanage/old age home, and do your bit for the downtrodden and the less-fortunate. Christmas time is also a time for some social volunteering and some charity work. If you can't go yourself, sponsor a meal or an outing for the kids.

If you want to do nothing, however, the mild winter allows you to chill in bed at home, with a cup of steaming Darjeeling tea and a book!

Or meet your pals at a neighbourhood cafe over a hot cuppa cappuccino or mocha.

We at Kolkata, sure know how to enjoy the winters, what say???

#winteractivities #Kolkatawinters #wintersinkolkata #must-dosinwinter