Calcutta Diaries: The Lake Circle Walk

A Tree Near Southern Avenue

The thing that we had been waiting for, finally arrived. Yes, it had rained the past week and the clouds look dark and heavy even today and looked as if it was going to rain. And I was on my toes to go Calcutta Hopping once the deluge started. Capturing rain swept streets, the vast boulevards of Southern Avenue and the Lake was an option hard to be missed. I was turning over the camera when it turned into a down pour and it was a heavy one. Although it had lasted for a mere 30 mins, the roads were soaked and flooded - like it typically does in Lake Gardens - where I had been residing for the past 7 years.

    Today's walk was in pretty much in the neibourhood. A Walk in Southern Avenue, passing through the lake and into Sarat Bose road - scattered with restaurants and commercial buildings and then take a detour into one of the several bylanes of Sarat Bose road and join Southern Avenue and its boulevards. From there head towards Golpark. After that, if time and energy permits, head over near the Power FM office and have tea - they serve Darjeeling Tea in earthenware pots(called "bhar" in bengali).

Rabindra Sarovar

    I cranked up my Enfield and straight away headed for the Lake and in no time was walking past the foot path. Several morning walkers use the lake for the daily dose of fresh air and morning walk.The breeze from the lake and the shades of the trees are a sure way for relaxation for others who like to sit on the benches beside the lake. It is hard to believe but the lake is artifically created and named, Rabindra Sarovar(simple called "The Lake"), after Rabindra Nath Tagore. It is home to the rowing clubs of the city

- The Bengal Rowing Club, Calcutta Rowing Club and The Lake Club. The other smaller clubs - The Anderson club and Calcutta Swimming Club - are all reminiscent of the old colonial era of the city, when britishers used to frequent the clubs. Mornings are a sure shot way to see the number of rowers practicing and morning walkers jogging which gives the place a natural vibrancy of its own. You can also spot fruit sellers and herbal medicines clubs near the entry gates. The tea wallahs,ever omnipresent, does brisk business in the mornings. Afternoons and evenings are not the ideal time to spend in the lake but one may opt for photography. With bird sightings and the different moods of the water of the lake.

The lake being done, I strolled around Sarat Bose Road, littered with restaurants and eateries. Here goes 

the restaurants - one by one -

1.    Mandarin - Chinese - moderately priced, meal for two worth 400 - its better to parcel the drumsticks back home and enjoy it with tea.The chowmein too,tastes decent.

Another View of the Lake

2.    Saurastra - Take away snacks and sweet shop.

3.    Silver oak - A Multicuisine restaurant and bar. Food is good and the stock of alcohol is pretty decent.The cool atmosphere and ambient lighting makes it a favourite with family members.

4.    Go Lebanese - Lebanese - Take away counter for Lebanese rolls and chicken.Expensive one, but food tastes good.

5.    Sharey Chowattor[Eng. - Severty four and a half]  - Bengali cuisine - moderately priced, meal for two with hilsa worth around 400 - I personally, tried this place but dont put it on a must try list. You may opt for Bhojohari Manna or Oh!Calcutta.

6.    Barista - Coffee Shop

7.    Marco Polo - Multicuisine:Indian,Mughlai,Chinese,Persian et al. - the boneless hilsas during the "Hilsa" festival during the thick of rainy season is a must try. Food is authentic and tastes good. The Hyderabadi biryani too is also recommended.

8.    As one heads towards Deshapriya Park, you will definitely find the famous kachori shops: Maharaja and Maharani. Dont know which one was named after the other, but the jalebis, kachori, subzis are a must try for a day's breakfast.

The Rain Had Lit Up the Flowers

On the Right bylane you will find X-rong place. An "Irish" style pub. But the limited menus and the partially empty bar(I have always found that to be the case) does not give me the option so that it appears in a "must try" list. Another Chinese restaurant "The Wall" has also come up.Havent been there, but heard that the food is good.

On Southern Avenue Boulevard

While we have some what highlighted the restaurants - the muri(puffed rice) shops,snacks counters and tea shops on the footpath - have something to offer for everyone.

Time for a much deserved tea break near Deshpriya Park now.

Done that, refreshed and re-energized and then slipped into one of the several bylanes, In my case, I strolled into Jatin Das road and walked and proceeded to Southern Avenue.The boulevards and the trees and the multi stories - all go hand in hand. The Southern Avenue,my gut feeling, is the most beautiful stretch of road in the city - with trees lining up the foot path and their shades

filling up the entire stretch from Golpark to Rashbehari Avenue crossing. It is also,naturally, one of the poshest areas of the city, where luxury vehicles and trendy buildings are omnipresent.

I went until Golpark where there is a Ramkrishna Mission - where one may opt to visit - subject to the timings of when it remains open.

Then on, the legs grew tired and I revved up my enfield from the spot where I parked it, and had lunch at a rood side eatery and rode back home.

The tea shop near Rashbehari crossing, Power FM office was never to be missed. So had tea there in the evening - darjeeling tea in a bhar. Quite an experience, I dare say!