This story appears in the May 2017 issue of National Geographic magazine. A few years ago I was on an assignment in India. I had a day off, so I went to the Mullick Ghat flower market in Kolkata.

When you find yourself in Kolkata, visit the bustling Mullick Ghat flower market, a vibrant hub that has thrived for over 130 years along the banks of the river. This market is not only one of the ...