

One of the top things to do in Kolkata is to visit the always colorful and chaotic Mullik Ghat flower market.
The market takes place just below the magnificent Howrah bridge, and is located adjacent to the Hooghly River.

I took a taxi to get to the market and arrived mid-morning, but I think the market is virtually open and busy 24 hours a day.

Yes, it’s a little dirty, but the colorful chaos of flowers, transporters, and shoppers was an incredibly interesting scene to witness.
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Some people run, others walk fast, some squat on the side or in the middle of the walkway, and others lay or sleep on top of flowers or in the middle of the market. Anything goes in Kolkata.

Some of the people and sights I saw really reminded me of Cairo, an ancient land that made me feel like I was in a history book rather than in 2013.

If you take one of the small lanes to the river, you’ll get a great view of the impressive Howrah Bridge, one of the worlds busiest pedestrian bridges.

While there are roses and other flowers, nothing dominates the market like orange and yellow marigolds, which are widely used for religious rituals.

The marigold trade is huge, and they are often sold in long strands.

One of the best things to watch when you’re at the flower market is transporters getting buried in countless strings of marigold flowers to deliver somewhere. It looks like a giant flower dress.

If you visit the Kolkata Mullik Ghat flower market, be sure to walk over to the Howrah Bridge to get a great view. The amount of pedestrians, and what they are all carrying, is incredibly amusing as well!
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Jon Tang
5 years ago
Looks nice. You should mention about the currency of India. The old and the present currency that has been using right now. Someone gave me old Rúpias for an exchange which I can’t use. It cost me 50 UsD. Thanks Marks for all the travel advise and food shows.
Prakash
7 years ago
wow Howrah Bridge is very awesome
Mark Wiens
7 years ago
Thanks Prakash!
Arti
10 years ago
Colorful India! Beautiful photos from the City of Joy 🙂
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Thank you Arti!
budget jan
10 years ago
Now that is one jaw dropping collection of photos.
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Thank you Jan!
Maria
10 years ago
The two men, walking through the market area with strands of Marigolds… show stopper photo Mark. Wow!
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Thank you Maria!