This was a trip to Kolkata, Varanasi, and other places in India from September 17 through September 30, 2024.
— Matt
Airport in Qatar. This is probably the prettiest and nicest airport I've ever been in.
My hotel in Kolkata.
Hotel KolkataThis was in front of my hotel in Kolkata. Called the Calcutta Bungalow. It was a really great hotel.
Kolkata
Kolkata
KolkataThe Maa Sarada Devi Temple as the sign says
KolkataKolkataMy guide in Kolkata. This is on College Street, and there are so many booksellers here. It's amazing.
India coffee house
India Coffee House. Their cold coffee is legendaryInside the Indian Coffee House. Just an absolutely iconic restaurant in Kolkata.
This doesn't look safe 😳
At our lunch place in Kolkata. The taxis all say "no refusal" on them, but my guide said they frequently refuse to take you somewhere.
The Hooghly River in Kolkata
Breakfast at the Calcutta Bungalow.
This was at a Jain Temple in Kolkata. Just an unbelievably ornate place.
The stairs at this Jain temple. All hand-done pieces of somethingJain temple in Kolkata
Kolkata
This was in a part of town in Kolkata where they make statues and idols, probably mostly for festivals that get destroyed.
The area in Kolkata where they make statues and idolsKolkata
I like this one for the Superman image or statue up on the building in front.
Ganesh, of course.
Kolkata
KolkataKolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata
This is in front of the Victoria Memorial in the Maidan in Kolkata. And that is obviously Queen Victoria on the monumentThis was an amazing painting inside the Victoria Memorial building in the Maidan in Kolkata
Inside the Victoria Memorial building in the Maidan Kolkata
The Victoria Memorial in the Maidan
South Park Street Cemetery in Kolkata
This is the area where Mother Teresa lived, where she died, and there is a memorial to her inside this building.They were getting ready for a big festival in Kolkata, and they were building something here behind this structure.
Kolkata's fish marketKolkataKolkata
Kolkata
Flower market in Kolkata
Flower market in Kolkata
Flower market in KolkataHowrah Bridge Kolkata. That is my guide. I don't remember his name but he was really good
Kolkata
Flower market in Kolkata
Howrah Bridge KolkataLunch with my Kolkata guide
Kolkata
This was in front of my hotel, the Calcutta Bungalow.
The man on the left in the teal-colored shirt's name is Kushal Goyal. Teri and I have known him for 9 years. We met him on one of our first trips to India. He lives in Kolkata.
Inside the mall in KolkataThis was in the river entering Varanasi by train.
Varanasi. This is a holy saudhu.
Varanasi
This was my hotel in Varanasi.
This is the Aum Cafe in Varanasi. This is run by an American woman who at some point lived in Salt Lake City. Andrew and I went here to eat back in 2018. She was a very nice lady, and this was a good, healthy place to eat.Aum Cafe Varanasi
The Ganga river in VaranasiGanga river
VaranasiVaranasi
Varanasi or BenaresLook at the way this tree has been built around in Varanasi.
Varanasi or Benares
Varanasi or Benares
One of my guides in VaranasiVaranasi or Benares
Shiva lingham statues
Ganga riverside performance
Ganga riverside performance
Breakfast at my hotel in Varanasi
Varanasi or BenaresVaranasi or Benares. I'm not sure which temple this is at
I love this picture in Varanasi or BenaresVaranasi or Benares
Krishna and RadhaThis was kind of an unfortunate time to come to Vernaasi. September is right after the monsoon season, and the river was so high that it covered all of the ghats. They wouldn't let any boats out on the river, so I wasn't able to do a river tour. The river recedes in the next 4 to 6 weeks, and then it takes about a month to clean all of the mud off all of the gats, stairs, and entries to the Ganga River.High River in Varanasi
Varanasi or Benares
Varanasi or Benares
Varanasi or BenaresVaranasi or BenaresVaranasi or Benares
This is in Varanasi, but I'm not sure who this is honoring.Varanasi or Benares
This is in Sarnath just north of VaranasiThis is in Sarnath just north of Varanasi
This is in Sarnath just north of VaranasiVaranasi or BenaresVaranasi or Benares
Varanasi or Benares
Varanasi or BenaresVaranasi or Benares
Varanasi or Benares. I do like this photo
Varanasi or BenaresVaranasi or Benares
Varanasi or Benares. Street dogs are always present in India.Varanasi or Benares
Varanasi or BenaresVaranasi or Benares. Washing in the Ganga River helps clean you of your sins.
Varanasi or Benares
Varanasi or BenaresVaranasi or Benares. Amazing door
GaneshaVaranasi or Benares. I like this pictureVaranasi or Benares
Varanasi or BenaresVaranasi or Benares
This was at the Blue Lassi shop in Varanasi. Famous location and very good lassi.This was at the Blue Lassi shop in Varanasi. Famous location and very good lassi.
This was at the Blue Lassi shop in Varanasi. Famous location and very good lassi. Pomegranate lassiVaranasi. Another photo I likeVaranasi or Benares. It has two names. I think Benares is actually the older of the two, but it is known by both names.
Varanasi or Benares
From the back of a cycle rickshaw in Benares
Another of my guides in Varanasi. He was outstanding.
Again, they put pictures on walls of famous people and gods, so people will not urinate on the walls.Indian coffee house in Kolkata
Muslims blocking the street to pray in the middle of the dayThis is from the museum just called the Indian Museum, which is a historical and archaeological center for India. It's an absolutely amazing museum.Indian Museum
