Fly Mihin Lanka to Kolkata, the City of Joy

Exotic India is one of the top emerging countries in the world and is set to become the fastest growing major economy in 2015. It is also forecasted to be the second highest in the world in 2023 in terms of GDP. Kolkata (Calcutta), the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal is the commercial, cultural and educational hub of East India. Located on the east bank of the River Hooghly, or ‘Ganga’ this colonial city was developed by the British East India Company and thereafter served as the capital of the British Empire until 1911.   Focused on providing its customers with world-class travel options at an affordable price, Mihin Lanka will commence operations to Kolkata from June 2015 onwards.

 Mihin Lanka is a leading low-cost airline in South Asia that operates across many destinations in the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and South East Asia. Since its launch in 2007, Mihin Lanka has come a long way, becoming one of the region’s most admired affordable travel brands. Now, Mihin Lanka is offering passengers affordable and convenient travel options to Kolkata, which is known as the ‘City of Joy’, a lively metropolis bustling with traffic, shopping areas, restaurants, delectable street food, eye-catching architecture and historical monuments. It also houses the world’s largest collection of Buddhist artifacts. Boasting of a rich cultural heritage, Kolkata has also been home to eminent names in history such as Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore, Mother Teresa and Satyajit Ray to name a few.

History and culture

Kolkata is home to a vast array of historical attractions that offer an enlightening window into the city’s past. Fort William was constructed in 1781 to mark the victory of Robert Clive over Sir David Ochterlony at Plassey. Today, within the Fort’s premises are a church, cinema, boxing stadium, market, football ground, post and telegraph office, swimming pool and firing range. The Victoria Memorial which is now a museumwas built in memory of Queen Victoria.  It retains photos and effigies of prominent personalities who contributed to the glory of India, taking you back to a past era.

 Eden Gardens is the oldest and finest 120,000-capacity cricket stadium in the country where many people have witnessed many memorable cricket matches. The Howrah Bridge on the Hooghly River is a famous symbol of Kolkata and West Bengal. It is a cantilever bridge with a suspended span over the river. It is the busiest bridge in the world. The Marble Palace is famous for its Western sculpture and Victorian furniture, paintings by European and Indian artists, and other objets d’art. Adjoining the palace is the Marble Palace Zoo, which is now primarily aviary. The Writers’ Building which now houses the Secretariat of the West Bengal Government, the Birla Planetarium and the South Park Cemetery are also noteworthy sites to cover if time permits.

Pilgrims’ getaway

One of the many reasons people love to visit this city steeped in character and history, is because it is also an important pilgrimage site. The most visited pilgrimage site which is Kolkata’s holiest spot for Hindus is the Kalighat Temple dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Kali, who is regarded as the most complex goddess of the Hindu pantheon. Nakhoda Masjid on Chitpur Road is the largest mosque in the city of Kolkata. Owing to its sheer size and magnificence, around 10,000 devotees can perform their prayers or ‘Namaaz’ in congregation. St. Paul’s Cathedral of unique architecture is another important landmark in Kolkata city. People come from across the globe just to be mesmerized by the beauty of this church. A Gurdwara represents the path towards the guru and it is the Sikh community’s place of worship. The Gurdwara Bari Sanghat in Kolkata is frequented by devotees in search of peace, all year round.                                                                                                                                               Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission is situated by the river Ganga and this temple is very popular with tourists to Kolkata.

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Shopping and gastronomy

Whether it’s for business, pleasure or a pilgrimage, no tour to Kolkata is complete without a stroll through the markets to pick up a memorable souvenir, be it for yourself, a loved one or a friend.                                                                                                                                                          New Market – also called Hogg’s Market just off Chowringhee Road is a bargain hunter’s delight. Housing over 2,000 stalls, it is Kolkata’s oldest and most well-known market. Its wide selection of sarees, eye-catching costume jewellery and handbags will no doubt make you linger. Chowringhee Road is also famous for its pavement vendors selling their terra cotta ware.                                                                                                                                                              For handicrafts and artifacts you have the Dakshinapan Shopping Centre.  Located in Ghariahat Road in Dhakuria, it may seem out of the way, but worth a visit if you are looking to buy strictly Indian items at fixed prices. Quest Mall in the city centre is your place for high end branded products. This seven-level mall has a diverse mix of stores, including fashion, entertainment, cafes, food court, and fine dining restaurants. There’s an INOX six screen multiplex cinema as well, if you wish to relax after your shopping spree.

Bengali cuisine is known for its subtle – yet sometimes fiery flavours, the emphasis is on fish, vegetables and lentils served with rice as a staple dish. As no meal ends without dessert, Bengal offers a mind-blowing variety of sweets, and also delightful snacks.    For the meat-eater, the Kathi roll is true comfort food. It is a mouthwatering combination of fried egg, spicy meats, onions and chillies, rolled up in a paratha. Other non-vegetarian treats come in the form of Cutlets and Chop, Dimer Devil and Keema Doi Bora, all as diverse and intriguing as their names.

The endless variety of vegetarian street food includes Phuchka and Chumur, Bhelpuri, Telebhaja, Gughni Chat and Jhalmuri, all served with their very own chutney, tamarind being the most common.

 Rasgulla (soft, spongy balls of cottage cheese soaked in chilled sugar syrup), the milk-based Sandesh and Cham Cham, and the delicately flavoured Payesh (rice pudding)are some of the ideal sweet treats enjoyed by the people of Kolkata.

You can now enjoy Mihin Lanka’s warm hospitality and the ambience of its Airbus aircraft as you fly to the fascinating city of Kolkata. Mihin Lanka is proud to add yet another Indian destination steeped in cultural, religious and historical value, to itsexpanding network. Mihin Lanka strives to maintain the highest standards and is the only low-cost airline, which provides a complimentary on-board meal and a free checked-in baggage allowance.  Focused on delivering the best to its customers, Mihin Lanka continuously adapts to passenger needs, in order to further fulfill its mission of being the leading low-cost airline in the region.  For more information visit www.mihinlanka.com.