20 May,2010 07:26 AM IST | | Dhvani Solani
London grew around the Thames and Paris has the Sienne. Back home, the Kolkata has the Hooghly, on which a certain Job Charnock, its founder, had arrived into the city.
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Journey through the heart of Bengal on a river cruise on the lapping waters of the Hooghly, a tributary of the Ganges.
This can be a paradoxical experience as you will bask in Bengal's rich past or stop over at former European colonies, the Belur Math (Headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda) and the Shibpur Botanical Gardens.
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On the same cruise, marvel at the rapid change in Kolkata's skyline and pass under the brightly lit Howrah bridge at sunset. The longer cruises take you to the hinterland, where you get a taste of the rural life.
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As your boatman bursts into a Bhatiyali folk song, find yourself slowly withdrawing into the uncluttered, unperturbed and philosophical bent of mind that Bengalis boast of, as the sun drowns into the waters behind you.
Calcutta Walks conducts cruises, including the Sunset River, Greater Calcutta and Little Europe cruise, accompanied by an explorer (expert guide). Charges begin at Rs 1,500 per head.
Log on: www.calcuttawalks.com.
The Assam Bengal Navigation Co conducts longer cruises, and can combine a Hooghly cruise with
the Ganges and Sunderbans trips.
Log on: www.assambengalnavigation.com
