Call it the City of Joy, India’s culture capital, Kolkata (erstwhile Calcutta), is a city with a soul. It is where heritage trams and hand-pulled rickshaws run hand-in-hand with air-conditioned metros, British-age shopping plazas are as crowded as swanky malls and colonial-era buildings rub shoulders with modern-day structures. Here, food and football is celebrated with the same fervour as Durga Puja. There is a popular saying in Kolkata, which, technically, applies to the entire state - baro mashe tero parbon (13 festivals in 12 months) - meaning that no matter what time of the year you plan to visit, you’ll always find a reason to celebrate.

Called the green heart heart of the city, Maidan (also called Parade Ground), is a great spot for a morning walk and one of the best vantage points to view the city skyline. This is best explored in the early hours of the morning.

One of central Kolkata’s most-loved neighbourhoods, Esplanade is popular for its markets and a legendary single-screen theatre. From branded apparel to local garments, electronic goods to household objects and from confectioneries to baked delights - this is a one-stop-shop.

A stunning example of British architecture with wide columns and open spaces, Princep Ghat sits on the banks of River Hooghly with the Vidyasagar Setu stretching above it. Take a boat ride on the river from here during sunset. End your day on a devotional note at Kalighat Temple, one of the 51 shaktipeeths.

Located five kilometre apart, Chinsurah (locally called Chuchura) and Chandannagar (colloquially called Chandernagor or Chondonnogor) bear testimonies to the state’s colonial history. While Chinsurah served as a Dutch trading post for almost 200 years years, dealing in saltpetre, spices, cotton and indigo, Chandannagar was established as a French colony in 1637. The country left such an indelible impression here that many schools here teach French as a third language.

Constructed by Louis Taillefert, an officer of the former United East Indian Company (also called the VOC or Dutch Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie), it is the final resting place for several noted Dutch citizens dating as far back as 1743. 

The former residence of Francois Dupleix, the then governor of French India, it has been converted to Institut de Chandernagor, an Indo-French Cultural Centre housing one of the oldest museums in West Bengal. 

Take a leisurely stroll on the kilometre-long Strand, a sprawling promenade along River Hooghly. Its crowning jewel is the Durgacharan Rakshit Ghat, an elegant pavilion with slender columns boasting beautiful stucco works. Enjoy the cool evening breeze in the ghat’s sitting area.

The capital of Odisha, Bhubaneswar is often referred to as the Temple City, a nom-de-plume it earned courtesy the numerous shrines once existed here. According to legends, the city derived its namefrom Tribhubaneswar - ishwar meaning the lord (which refersto Lord Shiva) of the three (tri) worlds (bhuban). Bhubaneswar holds its heritage close to its heart yet marches with the beat of the modern world with sprawling gardens, up-scale retail centres and even a software technology park. Moreover, due to its strategic location in the Mahanadi delta, the city boasts a diverse terrain spanning river basins, forests and wetlands. 

Start on a holy note with a visit to the Mukteshwar temple and Lingaraja (Lingaraj) temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, these temples are constructed in the Kalinga school of architecture and are located barely one kilometre apart. 

Explore the ancient rock-cut caves of Udaygiri (Udaigiri) and Khandagiri hills that were discovered by Andrew Sterling, a British officer, in the 19th century AD. Originally 117 caves were built sometime during the 2nd century BC, of which today only 33 remain - 18 on the Udaygiri hill and 15 on the Khandagiri hill. 

Head on to the Tribal Museum that offers a glimpse of the state’s tribal communities (over 60 of them) and their lifestyle through impeccable replicas of their huts and daily-use objects.  A 16-minute drive away lies Ekamra Haat, a crafts village. An initiative of the state government to encourage and promote rural artisans to showcase their products, this is also one of the city’s most popular shopping destinations.

The distance between the state capital Bhubaneswar to Puri, known for its beach and highly-revered Jagannath Temple, is a straight two-hour drive. But the attractions along the way - the Konark Sun Temple and Raghurajpur - are too attractive to miss. This stretch of journey acts like a window into the rich cultural and architectural heritage of the state.

Start early morning to beat traffic and reach Konark in about 1.5 hours. A UNESCO Heritage Site, the Sun Temple is an epitome of Odia temple architecture and is built using three kinds of stone - the boundary wall is made of laterite, temple structure of khondalite and door jams of chlorite.

An hour’s-drive away lies the heritage village of Raghurajpur. Every house in this small village is an open museum with walls depicting episodes from Hindu epics and mythologies. The village is known for artisans who excel in the ancient art of patachitra or pattachitra (cloth-bases painting) and talapatachitra (palm leaf engravings). A few artisans here have been bestowed with the National Award.

Even before you arrive in Puri, you will catch a glimpse of the 65-m-high spire of the Jagannath Temple. Head to this 12th-century architectural marvel dedicated to Lord Jagannath that is always brimming with devotees.

Touted as the capital of royal heritage in central-coastal Odisha, Dhenkanal is named after Dhenka Sabar, the last tribal chieftain of the area. According to local lore, Dhenkanal’s fortifications withstood the Maratha siege and the war. A quaint town, it boasts the only fort-cum-palace in the state and is the administrative headquarter of Dhenkanal district. 

Cocooned in greenery with a meandering stream, Saptasajya is a serene destination. According to mythology, the Pandavas (the five brothers from the Hindu epic Mahabharata) spent a few days of their agnuata vasa (incognito life) here. The main attraction here is the Raghunath temple, built in honour of Lord Rama, Lord Laxmana and Devi Sita (characters from Hindu epic Ramayana). 

Perched on top of the Paniohala hill (locally translated to hill of hanging water), this palace overlooks the town, a television and radio tower, and Dhenkanal stadium ahead with the dense Dhenkanal forest behind it.