Long Weekend Holidays are special for people who have corporate jobs. By taking one or a maximum of two leaves we get almost Four to Five days leaves to travel. Every year I make a calendar for Long weekend holiday for myself and plan my travels in advance. This year I thought of sharing this Long weekend Holiday Calendar for 2020 so that you can benefit and plan your holidays too.

If you are from Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore then this Long Weekend Holiday Calendar will help you to plan your perfect vacation during Long weekends in India. A small note before I start the local festival holidays may vary based on your company or state. However, I have taken into account the holidays given in 2020 by a few top companies in India. I have suggested the places where you should ideally based on the season however you always have an option to reshuffle the places where you want to travel during these Long weekend holidays in 2020.

Its Christmas in Kolkata and it is the time again the city of joy decks ups in beautiful lights. Christmas and New Year in Kolkata is special just like Durga Puja and until you are in Kolkata during Christmas you will not be able to get a feel of it.

Christmas in Kolkata is the time when people of Kolkata have yummylicious cakes, party the old colonial way and just have fun. This fun atmosphere extends from Christmas to New Year in Kolkata. There are lots of things to do in Kolkata during Christmas and New Year. If you plan to spend your Christmas or New Year in Kolkata then keep on reading the blog as Shoestring Travel brings exciting things to do during Christmas and New Year.

Have you ever entered into a Time Machine where time has stopped approximately 300 years back? Bari Kothi is a living time machine where, as soon as you enter you will be transformed into an era of Nawabs. Bari Kothi is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in Azimganj, Murshidabad which has been painstakingly restored to its lost glory. Bari Kothi welcomes you with its majestic Corinthian and Doric columns and lights from beautiful chandeliers. You take a small step inside Bari Kothi and you can’t miss the long corridors, beautiful checkered floor, antique furniture and to keep you company there is a library with old books. Bari Kothi has everything to take you back to the era when the aristocracy was Royal. If you want to get a royal experience Bari Kothi is the perfect luxury heritage hotel in India and is one of the best heritage hotels in India.

Bari Kothi is own by the Dhudhoria family and built by Rai Bahadur Budh Sing Dudhoria who belonged to the Sheherwali community. Before you time travel through Bari Kothi it’s important to understand the Sheherwali community. Understanding the Sheherwali community will help you appreciate the nuances of the Unique Luxury Heritage Hotel – Bari Kothi

The Jain community has played an extremely important economic, political, social and cultural role in the history of Murshidabad and India.

The migration of the Jain community in Murshidabad can be distinctly divided into two parts. Between 1700 and 1765 saw the migration of Jains from the Marwar region during the reign of Murshid Quli Khan who was the first Nawab of Bengal province (current states of Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar & Jharkhand). The Marwar Jains established themselves as bankers and later given the title of Jagat Seth.

After 1765 saw the migration of Rajput Jains who were descendants of the warrior caste. They established themselves as bankers & financiers however quickly moved to become the Zamindars.They formed the Sheherwali community who later replaced the Jagat Seth and became a part of the Murshidabad Royalty. The Rajput jains started settling in the twin towns of Jiagunj and Azimganj.The Rajput Jains who later came to be known as Sheherwali were majorly Dhudhoria, Nawlakhas, Duggars, Singhis.

The Rajput Jains who migrated from Rajasthan to the twin cities of Jiagunj and Azimganj were called Sheherwali as they migrated from city (in Hindi it’s called Sheher) to city for business.

Murshidabad Silk : The story of the golden threads. Most of the people relate the place- Murshidabad with Siraj Ud Daulah & Murshidabad Silk. Murshidabad has witnessed a golden legacy of innumerable important historical events that changed the history of India. Murshidabad is the second largest silk producing district in West Bengal. The position of Murshidabad near the Bhagirathi river made the town an important center for Silk Trade. Muslin, Jamdani and Baluchari Butidar Sarees from Murshidabad can be found in the Art Galleries of the Indian Museum in Kolkata, too.

Murshidabad Silk and Its Importance in Indian History

Authentic Bengali food in Kolkata? Don’t worry, you don’t have to splurge. Every time someone comes to Kolkata and asks me where can s/he authentic Bengali food in Kolkata, I don’t recommend fine dining or specialty restaurants but I recommend to go to old heritage places which serve authentic Bengali food and in an authentic way. Well, Kolkata offers the perfect gastronomic journey for a foodie.

Kolkata serves unique food from breakfasts to dinner and you have to taste and try it yourself. One word of caution the places suggested here doesn’t have the best of the décor, however, one assurance you will find the tastiest foods here and will be able to pamper your taste buds with authentic Bengali food.

In search of authentic Bengali food in Kolkata, in this blog post, I will start with Breakfast and then move to lunch/dinner and end with evening snacks.

The pocket pinch in the below places is not more than Rs 200/300 per person. This price is for lunch and for breakfast and evening snacks it will be below Rs 100 per person.

You ask any Bengali what do they like to have as a Sunday morning breakfast – you will promptly hear “Luchi Mangso” ( Puri and Mutton) and ending with rosogolla. The other variety we Bengalis love is “Luchi or Kochuri with aloor torkari” , simply meaning Puri and aloo ki sabzi in Hindi.

Puri (also spelled Poori) is an unleavened deep-fried bread, which originates from India and is mostly served with potato curry or similar curry.

That’s is an authentic Bengali food for breakfast.

So where should you head for such an amazing authentic Bengali breakfast. Wake up early morning and head to the below places.

Address: 18C, Bagbazar St, Bidhan Sarani, Kolkata, West Bengal 700003

Approximate Years: 97  years

Famous for : Kochuri and aloo r torkari ( A type of poori and potato curry) and telebhaja ( deep fried food items)

If you want to have authentic kochuri and aloo r torkari head to Potla Da r snacks. The shop opens from 7:30am – 10:30am and then again in the evening. It’s a small roadside shop serving authentic Bengali food in the form of kochuri & aloo r torkari. The telebhaja of Potla da r snack is equally famous and you need to go there in the evening to savor it.

Potla Da r Snacks Outlet