In pictures: A walking tour of central Kolkata’s multicultural and storied past
In the heart of the city, are stories from the old colonial capital’s Parsi, Jewish and Christian communities
By
Vedant Karia |
Published 26.12.22, 03:33 PM
1/8
After Manackjee Rustomjee Parsi Dharamshala stopped serving food during the pandemic, Mancherji’s on Kyd Street is among the few old-school Parsi eateries still open in the city. Serving a host of traditional dishes including Sali Chicken, Lagan Nu Custard and of course (right), Chicken Dhansak, Mancherji’s is a unique dining experience
Images by Vedant Karia and Soumi Debnath
ADVERTISEMENT
2/8
At the heart of Burrabazar stand three synagogues, a stone’s throw from each other. These are remnants of the once-flourishing Jewish culture in the city. Interestingly, all three synagogues in Kolkata have been looked after by Muslim caretakers for three generations. The Neveh Shalom Synagogue is the oldest of the three, established in 1825
3/8
The walls of Neveh Shalom tell stories about the Jewish community. Like this framed snippet that shows how Jewish weddings traditionally were, along with images from the last such event in Kolkata, back in 1982
ADVERTISEMENT
4/8
Built by Elias David Joseph Ezra (after whom Ezra Street is named), Maghen David is regarded by many as the largest and most beautiful synagogue for Baghdadis in Asia. The peace within its walls offers a sharp contrast from the chaotic market outside, and the architecture is worth marvelling over
Rumela Basu
5/8
Beth El, the last of the three, is a similar architectural beauty with stunning stained glass windows, high ceilings and intricately sculpted walls. Due to the dwindling Jewish population in the city (the workers told My Kolkata that their number is less than 25, with the youngest being 65 years old), it bears a similarly desolate look. The wine cellar (right) in the basement has been preserved for guests, though the production of wine stopped two decades ago
6/8
The Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary (also referred to as the Portuguese Church) is one of the most prominent buildings in the area, founded in 1799
7/8
Right opposite the cathedral stands St. Andrew’s Church. Following a presbyterian form of worship, having been under the Church of Scotland congregation before joining the Church of North India, this church is also the custodian of the Scottish Cemetery
8/8
A walk during Christmas week through Central Kolkata would be incomplete without dropping by the Bow Barracks, one of the largest settlements for Anglo-Indians in the city. Every festive season, this is the place to stop by to sip some homemade wine, sing carols and marvel at the lighting as people usher in the holidays
