Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

1. This is the house in Kolkata where Swami Vivekananda was born on 12 January in the year 1863 and spent his early 23 years. This house was recovered recently from the state of ruins and constructed by keeping the original state and hence it is now an important heritage monument of Kolkata. 2. The house after renovation. 3. Inside the house. 4. Swamiji's bedroom at Belur Math. 5. Swamiji's mother Bhubaneswari Debi and the young Vivekananda. If you want to know more about Vivekananda, click on the title to go to Wikipedia.-- A. B.

Alongwith Shantipur, Rash also being observed at Nabadwip of Nadia district. It is a festival of couple of days to worship Durga, Kali, Krishna Radha and display of many mythical events through images and idols. Now, the festival is observing Bengal at this moment with traditional joy, happiness and enthusiasm. -- A. B.

This evening, a unique programme held in the city of joy - inauguration of 17 Kolkata Film Festival. The venue was Netaji Indoor Stadium for the first time. And inaugurated by the Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan and veteran actor Sharmila Tagore. In this picture, SRK taking the candle from Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal to light the lamps. And Sharmila Tagore lighting the lamp. The Thali girl in the middle - actor Koel Mallick. Enthusiastic spectators of Kolkata welcomed the stars with applause. -- A. B.

Next 10 November 'Raas Purnima' - worship of Radha-Krishna on the full moon night. And Kartick puja on third week of this month. Display of idols at rural market. -- A. B.

The world comes home. 8 days, 50 countries, 125 directors, 150 films - the extract of ensuing 17th Kolkata Film Festival. And many more 'for the first time' events will occur here. 1. Tollygunge film industry will drive the fest. 2. Budget about 2.45 crore (more corporate sponsors). 3. Professional touch at website http://kff.in 4. Changed logo 5. Theme song by Nachiketa. 6. Published the names of selectors of 150 films. 7. Total 11 theatres will screen films in the city including multiplex. 8. Inaugural ceremony will be held at Netaji Indoor Stadium. 9. The fest will be inaugurated by Shahrukh Khan and Sharmila Tagore. 10. Inaugural movie 'The Magician' of Netherlands. 11. The price of ticket Rs. 10 only. 12. Mamatashankar & ballet troupe will perform at inaugural function. 13. Orchestra by Kolkata Music Academy will be the opening event of this fest. 14. West bengal Motion Picture Artists' Forum will perform at the end of inaugural function. 15. One of the mai

Kolkata would be beautiful like London someday - whether it is a dream or will becoming true, not known. But the administrators of the city want to do something new, something nice. A ropeway will be run from Millennium Park of Kolkata to Howrah Station. Floating jetty for steamers and arrangement of water sports will also be there. There'll be 'Kolkata Eye' on Howrah side of river just as 'London Eye'. From Nimtala Ghat to 2nd Hooghly Bridge in Kolkata side and from Howrah Station to Botanical Garden - both the banks of the river will be decorated with greens. A few multi-national companies showed interests to make the 'Marina' near the 2nd Hooghly Bridge. It'll be a floating jetty on the mid-river from which tours will be conducted for Digha, Sundarban etc. The project will be commenced next year. -- A. B.

-- A. B.

-- A. B.

-- A. B.

-- A. B.

-- A. B.

-- A. B.

1. Interior decoration of Fatakgora; 2. Interior decoration of Kolupukurdhar Chowmatha. -- A. B.

-- A. B.

-- A. B.

-- A. B.

Today, Jagadhatri puja in Kolkata. Here is Jagadhatri pratima of Beleghata. -- A. B.

Jagadhatri puja of Howrah Byataitala. -- A. B.

Gorgeous gate of Bagbazar Sarbojanin Jagadhatri puja beautifully decorated with LED light. -- A. B.

No other idol of Jagadhatri will compete in regard to height with the idol of Fatakgora (height: 31 feet). -- A. B.

Tomorrow is Jagadhatri puja. One of the idol going to some household for the purpose of puja, from Kumortuli in Kolkata. -- A. B.

-- A. B.

-- A. B.

-- A. B.

-- A. B.

I'm fortunate to see Eiffel Tower at the once French colony - Chandannagar today. But, no, it is the lighting decoration of Fatakgora Jagadhatri puja this year. -- A. B.

1. Kolupukur Sarbojanin 2. Fatakgora 3. Helapukur -- A. B.

-- A. B.

This evening, I visited Chandannagar, a place famous for Jagadhatri puja, in Hooghly district. 177 years old Bagbazar Sarbojanin puja pandal this year and the beautiful idol of Jagadhatri. -- A. B.

After an year, "Chhath Puja" again, observing Kolkata - the city of joy. -- A. B.

Yesterday I visited Tarapith - the famous place of 'Pith' for pilgrims situated in Birbhum district of Bengal near the town Rampurhat. -- A. B.

Pic 1. Road of Bakreshwar; Pic 2. Bakreshwar (Shiva Linga); Pic 3. The temple of Bakreshwar; Pic 4. The Hot Spring (Agni Kunda). Visited today this famous place of Bengal for the first time. -- A. B.