When friendships bloom during pilgrimages, they tend to be deep-rooted and soulful. Ours was no different. The three of us, strangers not too long ago, found a bond during a recent journey to Gangasagar, tied by shared steps on sandy shores and laughter echoing across the Hooghly breeze. We returned from that sacred confluence not only spiritually enriched but newly connected.

And so, on 2nd August 2025, we decided to meet again, not by the sea, but above the city. Our destination? The iconic Biswa Bangla Gate: Kolkata’s modern marvel in steel and glass, floating like a celestial ring above the bustling streets of New Town.

A Gate That Leads to the Sky

Located on Biswa Bangla Sarani, near Rabindra Tirtha, the Biswa Bangla Gate is not just an architectural feat; it’s a metaphor. A soaring ring suspended in the sky, connected by four massive parabolic arches, it symbolises Kolkata’s transition from its nostalgic past to a global, future-facing identity.

We booked our ₹100 tickets online for the 5:00 PM slot, the final one of the day, before the gate transitioned into an exclusive dining venue. Tickets are available at WBHIDCO, Biswabanglagatekolkata. In BookMyShow, and need to book in advance; slots fill quickly since only 45-minute visits are allowed.

A Smooth Arrival

Driving through New Town’s Action Area I, we were struck again by how this meticulously planned neighbourhood contrasts with the rest of the city. Sculptures line traffic islands, eco parks sprawl on either side, and clean boulevards hint at international aspirations.

The third rotary island, where the gate stands, has a dedicated ticket counter with free parking nearby. After showing our online confirmation and collecting printed entry slips, we were ushered through a quick security check.

Upward to Wonder

As the elevator ascended through the steel ribs of the gate, a sense of anticipation built. You could see the parabolic curves sweeping beside you, framing the setting sun. At 25 meters above ground, the elevator ride with a glass view opened into the circular viewing gallery, a 360-degree walkway of glass and steel, with modern murals inside and Kolkata’s skyline on the outside.

The city below looked like a painting, blocks of emerald trees, gleaming metro rails, glass buildings catching the last sun. It was New Town, but from the sky.

Capturing Kolkata from the Clouds

The gallery is encased in glass, offering stunning views of the cityscape. From here, the angular patterns of the Eco Park, the sprawl of residential towers, and the glinting surface of water bodies were all visible. We walked slowly around the ring, absorbing the panorama, stopping at the selfie-marked zones to capture memories.

Inside, murals of Bengal’s luminaries added a cultural dimension - Rabindranath, Netaji, Ray, all framed by Bengal’s changing skyline. The Biswa Bangla logo, embedded on the outer shell of the gallery, reflected gold under the setting sun.

A Café in the Sky

Midway through, we stepped into the cafeteria, a sleek, minimalist space offering everything from global snacks to regional classics. The prices were surprisingly modest (₹50 to ₹200). We chose masala tea and shared a warm plate of chicken cutlets and prawn chops; a nostalgic nod to Kolkata’s culinary past, served in a setting that could rival any metropolitan skyline lounge.

As the lights inside began to glow, the outside dimmed into dusk. The glow of office towers, streetlights, and moving headlights created a constellation below, reminding us that we were suspended not just in space, but in time.

An Evening to Remember

As our 45-minute slot ended, we descended with a sense of fulfilment. Not only had we experienced the city from a new vantage point, but we had also added another layer to our growing friendship.

But our evening was far from over. We drove towards Salt Lake, to a place one of us had discovered - Udayachal Tourist Lodge, run by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation. Nestled in the peaceful lanes near FE Block, it’s a quiet, leafy retreat amidst the hum of urban Salt Lake.

Adda, Laughter, and the Comfort of Familiarity

The restaurant at Udayachal is charming in a way that only Bengal’s old-world hospitality can be, no frills, but full of warmth. Over crispy fish fries, egg pakoras, chilli chicken, and chicken reshmi kebabs, and glasses of iced drinks, we slipped into a familiar rhythm of conversation and laughter.

Here, we talked about Gangasagar; the Kapila Munni Ashram, the monks on the sand, the cruise, and the old temples we discovered on our outing there. We spoke of our families, of life’s turns, and plans we never made. It was a space for openness, for listening, and for letting the city outside fade into the night.

This unassuming restaurant became the second crown jewel of our day, less grand than the Biswa Bangla Gate, but equally meaningful.

The Backstory: Building a Gate of Dreams

To appreciate the Gate fully, you have to understand its journey. Conceived in 2015 as part of the New Town beautification project, construction began in 2017, with a vision of building a “gateway to the future.” The initial design included a Biswa Bangla globe to be suspended at the centre. But during installation, the pulley malfunctioned and the globe crashed. The idea was shelved, and the structure was re-envisioned as a glowing ring, completed in early 2019 and inaugurated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on 2nd February.

A whopping ₹25 crore was invested in this structure. It uses over 70 tonnes of steel and is supported by four legs anchored in deep concrete foundations. It hosts two elevators, two staircases, a cafeteria, and a fine dining restaurant (operational from 7 PM to 10:30 PM, reservations only). It’s also the first in the country to host a hanging restaurant, where the view is part of your meal.

Tips for Future Visitors

• Book early: Especially for the sunset 5:00 PM slot.
• Don’t carry bags: You’ll have to deposit them.
• Timing: Entry every hour from 12 PM to 5 PM; the Restaurant operates from 7 PM to 10:30 PM.
• Accessibility: Fully elevator-accessible and wheelchair-friendly.
• Budget: ₹100 ticket + ₹50–₹200 snacks = a premium experience at a modest price.

From Gangasagar to New Town: A Journey of Friends and Cities

That day felt like a gentle arc from sacred shores to steel skies, from ancient rituals to urban elegance. What began in Gangasagar, our serendipitous meeting, was beautifully continued in New Town and Salt Lake.

Friendship, like the city itself, had found new heights.

And just like that, we realised: sometimes, a gate doesn’t just open to a city, it opens to people, to stories, to shared lives.

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