Rivers have always been a vital part of human existence. The importance can be traced back to the Indus valley civilisation or even beyond. Rivers not just provide water to the cities for its food and agricultural needs; it also provides an access to trade. This is the reason why our ancient civilisations prospered alongside the rivers. Whether it is the fertile Indus or the holy Ganges or the mighty Brahmaputra, all have played their role.
Calcutta or Kolkata is one of the waterfront cities where I had an opportunity to reside for an ample period of time. Kolkata is known as the ‘City of Joy’ and is rightly named so for its liveliness, hospitality and festivity. It is not just a city of Celebration but also a centre for art and literature. Being the first capital of the British India, this city grew with the construction of great European style architectural buildings alongside the River Hooghly.
The Hooghly River which is a distributary of River Ganga has played an important role in the development of this city. The river is approximately 250 kilometers long that splits from the Ganges at Murshidabad district at the Farakka barrage and empties itself in the Bay of Bengal. The scenery along the banks of Hooghly changes drastically after entering the twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah. The river was actively used by the British East India Company for trade and travel. The presence of historical landmarks along the side of the river is a witness of how this city has grown up to become one of the greatest cities of all times.
Several bridges run over this river, the famous ones being the Rabindra Setu (Howrah Bridge) and the Vidyasagar Setu. The Howrah Bridge has become no less than a synonym for this city and is the busiest cantilever bridge in the world. The second Hooghly Bridge otherwise called Vidyasagar Setu is the longest cable–stayed bridge in India. Together they make a spectacular site. Another enormous structure on the banks is the famous Eden Gardens. Established in 1864, this stadium had a capacity of over a lac spectator but in the course of time, today the renovated historical stadium holds around 65000 people. Overlooking this river is the Howrah Railway station, one of the oldest and largest railway stations in India.
Situated on the eastern bank of this river is the famous Dakshineswar Kali Temple. It is built in the traditional NavaRatna or nine spires style of Bengal architecture. Situated on the western bank is yet another spectacular monument, The Belur Math. It is the headquarters for the famous Ramakrishna Mission founded by Swami Vivekananda. The temple is notable for its architecture that fuses Hindu, Christian and Islamic motifs as a symbol of unity of all religions.
A Journey on this river is simply mind-blowing. The non-presence of any modern structure makes this journey “a travel back-in-time”. It is a wonderful river journey but my only concern was the lack of facility and development along the shores. This needs to be taken up very seriously as the richness of this river is getting lost. Having said that, it is a journey you would not like to miss or forget.
It is said that the actual nomenclature of the river is still like alloyed water, but hopefully for travellers and lovers of nature, it will be exotic and unfolding mysteries.
Be a Traveller!
bhubanpatra 