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Kolkata Kumortuli Walk: Exploring the Potters' Colony Behind the Iconic Bengali Festivals
4.9
26 Ratings
Kolkata
Discover the hidden world of Kolkata’s potters’ colony, where the iconic idols for Bengali festivals are created. Perfect for both photographers and non-photographers, no fancy cameras needed!
Discover the hidden world of Kolkata’s potters’ colony, where the iconic idols for Bengali festivals are created. Perfect for both photographers and non-photographers, no fancy cameras needed!
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Kumartuli - We will be spending most of our time in the artisans’ neighborhood and the river ghat and seeing the artisans create the world famous idols.
- Kumartuli - We will be spending most of our time in the artisans’ neighborhood and the river ghat and seeing the artisans create the world famous idols.
What's Included
- Tea and coffee included
- Complimentary bottled water
- Variety of snacks provided
- All fees and taxes covered
- Tea and coffee included
- Complimentary bottled water
- Variety of snacks provided
- All fees and taxes covered
Additional Information
This excursion is equally enjoyable for those who are and are not photographers. It particularly resonates with photographers, but you don’t need a high-end camera to enjoy it.
If Bengali festivities such as Durga Puja and Kali Puja have left you in awe of their strikingly beautiful deities and sparked your interest in the making process, this tour will…
This excursion is equally enjoyable for those who are and are not photographers. It particularly resonates with photographers, but you don’t need a high-end camera to enjoy it.
If Bengali festivities such as Durga Puja and Kali Puja have left you in awe of their strikingly beautiful deities and sparked your interest in the making process, this tour will be a treat for you. We will escort you to the traditional potters’ area in the northern part of the city. This district not only caters to the city’s need for divine figures but also exports a significant number of its creations. It’s been acknowledged as one of Calcutta’s seven marvels – a spectacle you wouldn’t want to miss when in the city. It’s accessible most of the year, with some exceptions. Consult us for further details!
IMPORTANT: As a standard, we need at least 2 participants to conduct the tour, unless it’s been pre-arranged. If you’re a solo traveler, please get in touch with us.
P.S.: Should the designated start times not be convenient for you, feel free to message us. We might be able to arrange it as per your availability.
- Not suitable for infants.
Location
Kumartuli Ghat
Durga Charan Banerjee Street
Between the Chandni Chowk and Central Metro Station, opposite Yogayog Bhawan.
P.S. Drop us a message if the mentioned start times do not work for you. Maybe we can schedule according to your convenience.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(26 Ratings)
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Mdzurich
Jan 9, 2026
The Must Do When In Kolkata (Calcutta) - In the absence of being able to find a guide in Calcutta I thankfully came across Manjit. Over several days I joined him on different tours - it was a fantastic way to see the city. I met some great people - fellow travellers and photographers. Whilst it is a photography tour it's very relaxed in the sense you don't need to be a photographer. More keen to see and experience local life. Manjit knows everyone and as such we were welcomed warmly. He also ensures exclusive access. I found that Manjit covered history. architecture, art, culture, craft and many more topics. I wish there was a Manjit in every city I visited. His fine art quality prints are available to buy and make very special gifts/memories to bring home.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ppoossttyy
Jan 6, 2026
The Goddess delivered - Really enjoyed our walk around the sculptor’s village learning about the process of making the deities. Manjit was an excellent host, had great stories and insights to share about all things Kolkata. I can highly recommend this experience. It was a great way to start our first trip to India
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Asiafancalifornia
Dec 12, 2025
Fascinating Kumortuli! - I can’t imagine a better tour than one of those offered by Calcutta Photo Tours. This particular tour takes you to a unique neighborhood in Kolkata, Kumortuli. You will wander through the small lanes and into the studios of amazing ceramic artists. India has no shortage of religious festivals and these artists create all of the statues needed for those holidays. As a lifelong resident Manjit, the owner, knows the neighborhood and the artist residents are his friends. If you’re a photographer, his knowledge and friendships will give you access to areas you would otherwise not be welcome. He is a talented photographer himself, so he knows what interests people in the field. He will give you as much, or as little, guidance as you like. If you’re a woman, traveling on your own, you may have concerns about your safety in Kolkata. I assure you Manjit works hard to make you feel secure and well cared for. This is a fascinating city; for photographers it’s a dream destination.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rosemarydontario
Nov 30, 2025
LOVED IT - We were three with Manjit this morning. We had just arrived for first visit in Kolkata. The other woman was repeating this walk with Manjit for the third time having fallen in love with the city when she first explored with him some years ago.
Manjit is big fun, knowledgeable and in love with the city and this neighborhood himself and his affection is contagious. Now we too have fallen in love. He made us with his excellent renditions of the tales of the gods. He has affectionate relationships with the artisans so we were welcome and got to see things up close. He’s an excellent and passionate photographer so lots of opportunities for wonderful photos but evetif you’re not into that/ I just had my phone and loved snapping/ the tour is great. Highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Quest08676963339
Nov 23, 2025
A great experience with a lot of learning - This review is long overdue. I was in Kolkata during the Puja festival and reached out to Manjit for a spot on the Kolkata 3-Hour Tour of Kumortuli. I must say, it was a great experience!
Manjit was booked solid for the season but he said he would contact me if something opened up. The night before the tour, I believe he had a cancelation and he reached out.
Location was in Kumartoli, in Kolkata, where the artisans build beautiful idols from clay and hay. A group of us joined Manjit for the tour and the 3-3.5 hours were filled with history, learning, arts, awe and a deep respect for all the work the artisans do every year.
Manjit was very knowledgeable about the way the process works and even threw in snippets of history and kept us entertained throughout the tour. There were a lot of photo opportunities throughout the tour and it was a lot of fun. Too bad my SD card got corrupted when I got back but the memories of the tour and the sights will stay imprinted on my mind forever.
Will definitely try to connect with Manjit and Calcutta Photo Tours the next time I am visiting - this time for the Flower Market.
- Sachin B.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maria
Oct 28, 2025
Another great tour with Manjit! - After the success of my first tour with Manjit at the Flowers’ market, I decided to book a second one. In this case, “The Goddess Beckons Tour” which allows you to get behind the scenes of the potters’ quarter in Calcutta. It was an incredible experience, particularly because I would have missed it without Manjit’s help. No wonder why it is considered one of the seven wonders of Calcutta! Again, three hours of good fun and culture exploring this area of the city and plenty of opportunities to get some pictures which are far from being ordinary. Manjit knows his way around the quarter and potters greet him warmly which allows for a far better experience. Black and white does great justice to the feeling of the tour. You won’t regret if you join this one (or any of the others).
Thank you friend 🙏🏼
Review provided by Tripadvisor
S_stsh
Apr 23, 2025
With Manjit as a guide you get a unique and fun experience in Kumartuli - We had a mega good and exciting day with Manjit. We learned a lot about the area “Kumartuli” especially because Manjit was good at telling and showing details in the individual workshops. Will definitely recommend this tour as it is a unique opportunity for an insight into another world.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Keranim2024
Feb 6, 2025
Manjit is a knowledgeable, energetic & culturally savvy tour guide - Manjit is a fantastic guide!
As a local who has travelled worldwide with an impressive list of accomplishments, he has a natural ability to connect across our cultures and has a great sense of humor, which made the tour feel personal and impactful as a cultural exchange.
With deep relationships in the community, he also made thoughtful introductions treated us to tea and snacks to fuel our tour, which felt more like an invitation into someone's home than sightseeing through a neighborhood. We're really glad we hired him and didn't explore our own -- we would have missed the insights and unique humanity and stories brought to life through the tour.
Highly recommend any tour with Manjit and checking out his website to view his amazing photos -- especially if you're not a local and you're looking for personal insight, connection to place, and humor that transcends across culture -- book a tour with Manjit. You won't be disappointed!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Journey63059864812
Sep 24, 2024
Awesome street photography tour! - Wonderful opportunity to see Kolkata up close and capture amazing street photography images! My guide was super knowledgeable and helpful in finding hidden gems that a visitor probably wouldn’t find on their own. A great way to spend a morning in Kolkata!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rengasamy_p
Sep 28, 2025
The Potters of Kolkata - Going around during the Durga Puja time is a festive atmosphere in this area. Unfortunately I couldn’t really witness any statue being made.
Review provided by Viator
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