1858 was an important year especially since it concerns my subject matter. It was the year when Lady Canning the wife of then Indian viceroy John Canning asked Bhim Chandra Nag to create a sweet named after her. The sweet he named Lady Canning is highly popular today as ‘ledikeni’.

Now to come to the second important occurrence of that year that forms my immediate concern. It was also the year when Cooke&Kelvey the British watch company came to Calcutta. When he visited the already famed shop (it was 30+ years old by that time in 1858) Thomas Cooke was impressed with what he tasted. Being the quintessential punctual British - so always in need of a device to maintain time and an established watch manufacturer at that - upon finding that there is no clock at the shop, he decided to gift one.When he divulged his wish, Bhim Chandra Nag was thankful, but he also communicated a very practical problem. How would the English illiterate, Bengali speaking employees see time with English numerals? To his credit Mr. Cook was very understanding. He sent a sample back to London factory where they used Bengali numerals on an English clock with Swiss components.

This finest example of a unique fusion concept is available for you to see at this iconic sweet shop located at Bowbazaar. I have gone there a couple of times but a special occasion finally gave a meaning to my visit in more than one ways.

Jan 2016 was the year of my sister in law’s marriage. Choice of sweet naturally was an important part of menu. We zeroed in on Bhim Nag for the purpose. Visiting the shop is an experience in itself.

It is full of old world charms with its dated interiors, ceiling fans right out of the pages of British era, and of course, the Clock.

The ambiance and the deliciousness of the sweets are incomparable. We made our choice, and returned home, satisfied with a well placed order and for me a pictorial documentation of the things I saw. The clock of course steals the show since it is one of its kind in the whole world occupying a place of pride in the most favorite Bengali sweet shop, Bhim Nag.

If you are new to Kolkata or West Bengal in general do make it a point to visit Bhim Nag and partake of its heavenly offerings. It is going to be a memorable experience in every way but if you are a Bengali at heart yet have not visited this sweet shop yet, it is nothing less than sacrilege. Do not wait for any special occasion, go there to soak in the atmosphere and of course taste the sandesh. You simply cannot get enough of those (even in today's health conscious world). After all, herein lies the magic, doesn't it!