Food stalls, a children’s park, a small lake and beautiful lightwork makes Patuli’s recreational hub, Patuli Jheel Park, a crowd puller. Running beside Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, on Raktima Road (Ward no. 11), the park is a stretch that has been transformed, beautified and is maintained by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
My Kolkata visited this popular destination to bring you six reasons why it is east Kolkata’s favourite hangout spot.
1. Ambience and lighting
The beautiful ambience and the lighting on the pavement
The Patuli Jheel Park, also known as the Patuli Lake Side, has a replica of the Howrah Bridge and the Biswa Bangla globe. The lightwork on the Howrah Bridge replica is a bright sight across the lake in the evening. Fountains have also been installed and come on in the evening.
This area has been transformed and beautified in phases over the last few years. However, the biggest transformation took place in April — temporary food stalls were given a permanent place, more statues were added and lightworks were improved.
A replica of the Dakshineswar temple is the newest addition to Patuli Jheel Park. There is also a massive Durga idol, along with statues of Rabindranath Tagore, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda. Other statues of characters like Chota Bheem, Bal Ganesh, etc., are installed for children.
The trend of installing glowing letters in Kolkata can be seen here too. The two installations of Amar Bhalobashar Shohor Kolkata and Amar Bhalobashar Patuli are already doing the rounds on the social media platforms.
2. Attractions for children
Deeptarko and Swati enjoying a pitstop
Little Deeptarko Bhattacharya travels from north Kolkata to Patuli for his singing classes with his mother Swati Bhattacharya every week. Post his classes, Deeptarko, who is 7 years old, stops at Patuli Jheel Park for some fun time. “We make a pitstop here often to get some food and take a walk. He enjoys the environment here. This is a very good initiative undertaken by the government. Not only children, adults too enjoy the place for its beauty,” Swati.
Like Deeptarko, many other kids visit this place for its modest children’s park that has a swing, see-saw and slide. Post sunset, the lighting and fountain are other things that attract children.
In the winter, the place acts as a complete ecosystem with migratory birds and winter bloom. So, it is a great opportunity for parents to bring children closer to nature.
3. Tasty delights on the ‘Foodpath’!
Food stalls on the pavement
Whether one takes a stroll or hangs out, satiating the taste buds is not an issue here. There are about 10 food stalls on the stretch called ‘Foodpath’. These stalls are offered by some of the locality’s favourite cafes and food chains. One can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate tea from Cha o Nachiketa, or a steaming plate of momos from Momo Man. Dig into KFC-style fried chicken from Khabo ki? Or Kolkata’s favourite roll and street-style chowmein from Baithakkhana. Cafe Positive, Haringhata, Jibhe Jol etc. also serve up some scrumptious delights.
The water ATM
A water ATM is also installed on the ‘Foodpath’, where one can get cold drinking water. At the end of this stretch is a quaint stall called Sentu's Kolkata Canvas, which sells Kolkata-themed souvenirs, from tea-coasters to coffee mugs.
4. Pocket-friendly snacking from vendors
A vendor selling corn
Apart from the permanent stalls, local vendors too have found business here. People also opt to enjoy a bite of freshly roasted corn on the cob, a sip of hot lebu cha or a warm mix of ghoti-gorom. Ice-cream and cotton candy vendors also make good business on busy days.
5. Adda zone for senior citizens
Benches on the sides of the lake
The stretch has numerous benches on the sides of the lake that makes it a great adda zone for the elderly. We spotted a group of grey-haired men enjoying a political discussion over some tea from the vendors. Seniors, mostly from the area, also take a walk around the lake in the cool morning breeze or post sunset. The paved footpath makes it a comfortable walk.
6. Favourite place for budding influencers
Youngsters busy posing with an installation as the backdrop
We spotted many budding content creators at this place shooting with their gang. With the backdrop of the lake and setting sun, many aspiring influencers don't miss the chance to shoot a reel at Patuli Jheel Park. There were YouTubers too, shooting prank videos with their friends.
Rinki Das, who goes by the name Rinki Queen, on Instagram is a frequent visitor and she said she never misses a chance to shoot reels at this place. "The place is beautifully decorated and the reels come out very well. The lighting is perfect and the pace has a vibe," said the content creator.
How to reach
Beautification is still underway
- Address: Raktima Rd, Block H, Block E, Baishnabghata Patuli Twp, Garia, Kolkata, West Bengal 700094
- Landmark: Near Patuli Floating Market
- One can get there by Metro, bus and cab. The nearest metro station is Shahid Khudiram
