Festival stampede in Kolkata kills at least 19
A stampede at a Hindu festival in Kolkata has resulted in at least 19 fatalities and 25 injuries.
AI-generated summary — please verify against official sources before you rely on it.
West Bengal · India
Kolkata
The City of Joy — a soulful colonial-era metropolis of grand architecture, tram lines, adda and Bengali sweets, on the Hooghly.
Kolkata treasures its Bengali literary-artistic culture, the white-and-red-bordered saree, Durga Puja, and a food scene from kathi rolls to rosogolla.
Plan your trip
Kolkata Tour Itineraries
Timed, walkable day plans — plus the best season to go.
Where to shoot
Kolkata Photo Spots
High crowdEntry Free
Dakshineswar Kali Temple
- Best timeEarly morning, when the river is calm and soft light falls on the nine spires; late afternoon for warm colour on the Shiva temples along the ghat.
- ColorsSaffronRedWhite
High crowdEntry Free
Howrah Bridge
- Best timeDawn, when the flower sellers are working at Mullick Ghat and the steel is grey against a pale sky; blue hour after sunset, when the bridge lights come on.
- ColorsWhiteYellowIndigo
Medium crowdEntry ₹50 (Indian) / ₹500 (foreign)
Indian Museum
- Best timeLate morning, when light falls into the central courtyard and the arcades cast clean shadows; mid-afternoon for softer light on the Chowringhee front.
- ColorsCreamMaroonTeal
Medium crowdEntry Free (boat ride extra)
Prinsep Ghat
- Best timeSunset, when the sky behind the Vidyasagar Setu turns orange and the pavilion catches the last light; early morning for an empty colonnade and calm water.
- ColorsWhiteCoralCobalt
High crowdEntry ₹30 (Indian) / ₹500 (foreign)
Victoria Memorial
- Best timeEarly morning, just after the gardens open, for soft light on the marble and few people on the paths; late afternoon for warm light on the north front.
- ColorsWhiteDeep redRoyal blue
For the feed
Trending Wear in Kolkata
Modern, Instagram-friendly looks
Rooted in the city
Kolkata Traditional Wear
Local, cultural, handcrafted outfits
Before you go
Temples in Kolkata
Darshan hours, dress codes and what gets refused at the gate
Taste the city
Food to Eat in Kolkata
Trusted tables
Where to Eat in Kolkata
A city on the east bank of the Hooghly
Kolkata lies on the east bank of the Hooghly, the Ganga's channel to the sea, with Howrah and its huge railway station across the water. For a visitor it falls into three parts. The centre, around the Maidan, Chowringhee, Park Street and Esplanade, holds the Victoria Memorial, the Indian Museum and New Market. The old north, around Burrabazar, Shobhabazar and Kumartuli, is where the Howrah Bridge comes down and where the clay idols for Durga Puja are made. The south, from Kalighat to Ballygunge and Gariahat, is residential Bengali Kolkata, with the Kalighat temple, sari shops and good Bengali kitchens. Dakshineswar is about 15 km north of the centre, on the river.
Getting around
The Metro is the quickest way across the city. The Blue Line runs north to south, from Dakshineswar to the southern suburbs. The Green Line runs east from Howrah station, under the river, through Esplanade and Sealdah to Salt Lake. Yellow taxis and app cabs fill the gaps. Ferries cross the Hooghly between the ghats for very little, and a couple of tram routes still run out of Esplanade. They are slow, but they are part of the city's story.
A first two days
Start day one in the Victoria Memorial gardens soon after they open, then spend late morning in the Indian Museum. Eat a kathi roll at Nizam's near New Market, walk down Park Street, and end at Prinsep Ghat for sunset over the river. On day two, go early to the flower market at Mullick Ghat, under the Howrah Bridge, and take a ferry across and back. Then ride the Metro north to Dakshineswar, cross by boat to Belur Math, and come back south for a Bengali dinner in Ballygunge.
Weather in brief
November to February is the comfortable stretch, with mild days and cool mornings. March to May is hot and sticky, broken by sudden evening storms that locals call kalbaisakhi. The monsoon runs from June to September, and heavy July and August rain floods low streets. October brings Durga Puja, still warm and humid. See the best time to visit for month-by-month detail.
What to eat first
Try puchka, the city's sharper take on pani puri, from a street stall in the evening. Have fish curry and rice at lunch, the way most Bengali homes eat. Finish with rosogolla and mishti doi from a sweet shop. The food page explains each dish, and where to eat lists kitchens that do them well.
Before you go
The Victoria Memorial galleries and the Indian Museum both close on Mondays, so do not save them for the start of the week. Carry a scarf and easy shoes for the temples, where shoes come off at the gate. In 2026, Durga Puja runs from 17 to 21 October, and pandals open to visitors from Mahalaya on 10 October.
Questions
Kolkata — FAQ
How many days do I need in Kolkata?
Two full days cover the Victoria Memorial, the Indian Museum, the Howrah Bridge ghats, Dakshineswar and Belur Math. Add a third day for Kumartuli, College Street and a slow food walk through the old north.
Which day of the week should I avoid for sightseeing in Kolkata?
Monday. The Victoria Memorial galleries and the Indian Museum are closed that day. The Victoria Memorial gardens stay open, and the temples and ghats are open every day.
Is the Kolkata Metro useful for tourists?
Yes. The Blue Line reaches Dakshineswar, Kalighat, Park Street and Esplanade. The Green Line links Howrah station to Esplanade and Sealdah through a tunnel under the Hooghly. Avoid the office rush on weekday mornings and evenings.
Can I visit Dakshineswar and Belur Math on the same day?
Yes. They face each other across the Hooghly, and a short ferry runs between their ghats. Both close for a few hours around midday, so do one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
Should I visit Kolkata during Durga Puja if I dislike crowds?
Come a few days before, from Mahalaya onwards, when many pandals are open but the streets are calmer. From Saptami to Navami the city is packed, especially at night, and cabs are hard to find.