Malik Ghat Flower Market

Nestled under the iconic Howrah Bridge, Mallick Ghat Flower Market is one of the largest and oldest flower markets in Asia, bursting with colors, fragrances, and life. Established in the 19th century by Ram Mohun Mallick, this vibrant bazaar supplies flowers to temples, weddings, and festivals across Kolkata and beyond. As you stroll through its lively lanes, you’ll witness heaps of marigolds, roses, jasmine, and exotic blooms being traded in a whirlwind of bargaining and cheerful chaos. The market is not just a photographer’s paradise but also a true slice of Kolkata’s culture, where spirituality, tradition, and daily commerce blend seamlessly. Visiting in the early morning offers the most authentic experience, with hundreds of vendors setting up their stalls against the backdrop of the rising sun and the majestic bridge. A walk here is more than sightseeing—it’s an immersion into the soul of the city.

Howrah Bridge

Rising proudly over the Hooghly River, Howrah Bridge is not just Kolkata’s lifeline but also its greatest story in steel. The idea of a bridge here was first proposed by the British in 1862, but it was only in 1943—amidst the turmoil of World War II—that this colossal cantilever bridge finally came to life. Built without a single nut or bolt, held together by over 26,000 tons of steel rivets, it was a feat of engineering brilliance. Officially named Rabindra Setu after poet Rabindranath Tagore, the bridge remains one of the busiest in the world, carrying millions each day. To walk across it is to feel history and modern Kolkata merge—the same bridge that once witnessed steamships on the Hooghly and now glimmers at night with city lights. From dawn, when flower sellers gather beneath at Mallick Ghat, to dusk, when the river reflects its glowing silhouette, Howrah Bridge is not just a crossing—it is the eternal symbol of Kolkata’s spirit.