Spring in Bloom: Bauhinia Flowers Paint Kolkata Maidan Pink
Mar 04, 2026, at 01:43 pm
Each spring, Bauhinia flowers burst into bloom across the Kolkata Maidan, washing the city’s vast green heart in soft shades of pink and white. Beneath their delicate petals, young couples pause for photographs, families linger in the open air, and the horizon stretches wide with the quiet charm of the season. Against the Maidan’s sweeping skyline, the blossoms turn an ordinary afternoon into a gentle celebration of springtime in Kolkata. Photos by Avishek Mitra/IBNS.
Splash of Spring: Holi celebrations in Kolkata
Mar 03, 2026, at 05:32 pm
Youths in Kolkata celebrate Holi, the festival of colours, on Tuesday (March 3, 2026). The festival heralds the beginning of Spring. (Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)
In Images: Thousands gather in Kolkata mosque on first Friday of Ramadan
Feb 20, 2026, at 06:00 pm
Muslim worshippers offer Friday prayers in a mosque during the first Friday of the holy month of Ramadan in Kolkata, India, on February 20, 2026. Photo: Rupak De Chowdhuri/IBNS
In Images: Kolkata’s Chinese community ushers in the Lunar New Year festivities
Feb 18, 2026, at 03:29 am
Kolkata’s Chinese community marked the Lunar New Year with spirited lion and dragon dances that animated the streets of Tangra. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Feb 17, 2026, at 05:04 pm
Members of the Chinese community perform a dance as they participate in celebrations to welcome the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Fire Horse in Kolkata on Tuesday. Photo: Rupak De Chowdhuri
In Images: Love gets a vegan twist as activists hit the streets
Feb 13, 2026, at 02:26 pm
Activists from Mercy For Animals India dressed as a chicken, pig and cow distribute roses and hold placards reading “This Valentine’s – Choose Love; Choose Vegan” during a Valentine’s Day awareness demonstration promoting compassion for animals. (Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS)
Khirai Flower Valley Colours West Bengal’s Countryside
Feb 05, 2026, at 03:42 pm
Khirai Flower Valley—often described as the “Valley of Flowers of West Bengal”—is a vibrant, human-made agro-tourism destination in Purba Medinipur, known for its vast stretches of marigold, chrysanthemum and gladiolus fields in full bloom. Located near Panskura along the Kangsabati River, this colourful rural landscape comes alive between December and February, making it an easy and popular day-trip destination from Kolkata for nature lovers and photographers alike.
Book lovers flood Kolkata! Massive turnout at 49th International Book Fair
Jan 31, 2026, at 04:55 pm
A massive crowd throngs the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair at Boimela Prangan, Central Park, Salt Lake, Kolkata. The fair is being held from January 22 to February 3, 2026. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS
In Images: Heritage walk marks Calcutta Medical College 192nd anniversary
Jan 31, 2026, at 03:31 am
A heritage walk at Calcutta Medical College in Kolkata on Wednesday marked the institution’s 192nd foundation year. The guided tour highlighted historic campus buildings and the college’s role in shaping modern medical education and public health in India. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS
In Images: Nationwide bank strike in demand of a five-day work week
Jan 28, 2026, at 12:12 am
Bank employees protested in front of a closed bank during an all-India bank strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), demanding a five-day work week. The nationwide strike follows months of failed negotiations between bank unions and authorities in Kolkata, on Tuesday, December 27, 2026.
Saraswati Puja in Kolkata: Where Learning, Youthful Joy and Love Meet
Jan 23, 2026, at 11:41 pm
In Kolkata, Saraswati Puja is more than a ritual—it is a celebration of youth. Across schools and colleges, young people dress in shades of spring, offer prayers to the goddess of knowledge, and quietly exchange smiles, notes, and promises. Often called the city’s local Valentine’s Day, the festival blends devotion with first love, friendship, and hope, making faith and feeling part of the same celebration. Photos by Avishek Mitra /IBNS.
Saraswati Puja in Kolkata: Where Learning, Faith, and Spring Meet
Jan 23, 2026, at 11:06 am
In Kolkata’s historic Sanskrit College, students paint an alpona, their hands tracing devotion and tradition in white.Saraswati Puja arrives with ink, rhythm, and reverence—honouring the goddess of learning, art, and wisdom. Photo: Avishek Mitra / IBNS
Saraswati Puja in Kolkata: Where Learning, Faith, and Spring Meet
Jan 23, 2026, at 10:56 am
Young women in Kumartuli choose Saraswati idols with care and quiet excitement. Saraswati Puja in Kolkata is faith in clay—where learning, hope, and grace are carried home in gentle hands. Photo: Avishek Mitra / IBNS
In Images: Christians rally in Kolkata against attacks on churches across country
Jan 20, 2026, at 11:46 pm
Members of the Christian community take part in a peace rally in Kolkata on Tuesday amid concerns over reported attacks on churches and minority institutions across the country. Church of North India moderator Bishop Paritosh Canning said such incidents are creating insecurity among Christians and urged governments to strongly condemn violence against minority communities. Photo: Rupak De Chowdhuri/IBNS
In Images: Pilgrims and sadhus arrives in Kolkata ahead of Ganganagar Mela
Jan 06, 2026, at 11:44 pm
Pilgrims and sadhus arrive at a makeshift shelter in Kolkata on Tuesday before travelling to Sagar Island for Gangasagar Mela. Photo: Rupak De Chowdhuri/IBNS
Kolkata streets turn film set as Kalki Koechlin shoots new series
Jan 05, 2026, at 05:21 pm
Bollywood actress Kalki Koechlin shoots for an upcoming web series on Bagbazar Street in Kolkata on Monday. (Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS)
In Images: Sadhus prepare for Makar Sankranti pilgrimage in Kolkata
Jan 04, 2026, at 12:04 am
A sadhu arrives at a makeshift shelter in Kolkata on Saturday before travelling to Sagar Island to attend the one-day Makar Sankranti festival. Photo: Rupak De Chowdhuri/IBNS
Jan 02, 2026, at 06:08 pm
The thrill of the Kolkata Derby unfolds at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club as horses thunder down the track during the iconic race on January 1, 2026. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Jan 02, 2026, at 11:46 am
Kolkata's Alipore Zoo and Victoria Memorial experience massive, record-breaking crowds on New Year's Day.Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Kolkata welcomes 2026 with smiles, style and street celebrations
Jan 02, 2026, at 11:40 am
Young revellers soak in the New Year spirit on Kolkata’s streets, spreading colour, cheer and festive vibes to welcome 2026.Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Kolkata’s Ballygunge Transforms Into a Vibrant Colour Corridor
Jan 01, 2026, at 02:57 pm
Step into Ballygunge’s newest street mural, where the everyday meets extraordinary.
In Images: Kali idol displayed at heritage house in Kolkata
Dec 30, 2025, at 12:19 am
A clay idol of the Goddess Kali is seen inside the more than 300-year-old Hara Kutir house during a puja, with the premises lit by earthen lamps and lanterns, in Kolkata. Photo: Rupak De Chowdhuri/IBNS
In Images: Bratachari camp holds self-defense demonstrations in Kolkata
Dec 29, 2025, at 10:11 pm
Students from across West Bengal demonstrate self-defense during the 66th All Bengal Bratachari Training Camp in Kolkata on Monday. Hundreds are taking part in the 12-day program. Photo: Rupak De Chowdhuri/IBNS
In Images: Kolkata marks Christmas with citywide celebrations
Dec 26, 2025, at 01:20 pm
People celebrate Christmas across Kolkata as churches, streets and markets draw crowds throughout the city. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS
In Images: Christmas Eve market draws crowds in Kolkata
Dec 24, 2025, at 11:29 pm
Shoppers visit a Christmas market on Christmas Eve in Kolkata as preparations and celebrations continue across the city. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS
In Images: Kolkata churches prepare for Christmas
Dec 23, 2025, at 10:39 pm
A woman cleans a church ahead of Christmas celebrations in Kolkata on Tuesday. Photo: Rupak De Chowdhuri/BNS
In Images: Santa brings cheer to visually impaired students at Kolkata blind school
Dec 23, 2025, at 10:04 pm
An eye hospital staff member dressed as Santa Claus distributed sweets to visually impaired students during Christmas celebrations at a blind school in Kolkata on Monday. The event was organised by B.B. Poddar Eye Hospital. Photo: Rupak De Chowdhuri/IBNS
In Images: Kolkata Rainbow Pride Walk 2025
Dec 22, 2025, at 12:20 am
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community take part in the annual Kolkata Rainbow Pride Walk in Kolkata, India, on Saturday. One of India’s oldest pride marches, the event brings together queer, transgender and nonbinary people and their allies to promote visibility, acceptance and rights for gender and sexual minorities. Photo: Rupak De Chowdhuri/IBNS
In Images: Artisan crafts Santa statue ahead of Christmas in Kolkata
Dec 21, 2025, at 12:05 am
An artisan prepares a giant polystyrene Santa Claus at a roadside workshop ahead of Christmas celebrations in Kolkata on Saturday. Photo: Rupak De Chowdhuri/IBNS
In Images: Christmas cake prepared at 200-year-old Kolkata bakery
Dec 18, 2025, at 12:26 am
A worker prepares traditional fruit cake in a wood-fired oven at the 200-year-old Ajmeri’s Bakery ahead of Christmas celebrations in Kolkata on Wednesday. Photo: Rupak De Chowdhuri/IBNS