West Bengal Travel Guide

Dooars-The Gateway To Bhutan

2012-01-19T04:24:00.000-08:00

The Dooars or Duars are the foothills of the Eastern Himalayan range in North East India. It is totally an unmatched area in the northern part of West Bengal and it is full of lengthy stretches of greenery and forest as well it is a land of mesmerized beauty. The dooars area is well known because of the wild life sanctuaries and an elaborated tea plantation located nearby. Beside the floras, Dooars is also well known because of the virgin forests and the beautiful river Teesta with a number of tributaries. The beautiful yet dense forests of Dooars have various species of rare and wild animals.

How to reach Dooars:

There are several entry points to Dooars. The most convenient among them is the through Siliguri by the road. Regular bus services connects Siliguri and other tourist destinations of North Bengal. Apart from that, travelers can also avail the broadgauge rail connection to reach Dooars and its adjoining places.

What to see?

Walking along the rolling slopes of the hills, widespread tea gardens separated by the silver colored meandering mountain streams, quiet and ethnic villages, high Sal trees, vast grasslands with some blue outline of the Himalayan ranges and the endless sky are the most attractive scenes of Dooars.

The dooars valley is famous because of the wild life sanctuaries like the Buxa tiger reserve and Jaldapara wild life sanctuary. The wild life sanctuaries are full of the array of the wild life, ranging from red panda, royal Bengal tiger, great Indian bison, various types of birds, and lastly several kinds of deer. Being known as the “doors to Bhutan”, the countryside is mainly flourishing because of the unparallel natural beauty. Apart from the wild life, there are some ruins of Nalrajar garh, which the tourists can visit. Another places to visit in Dooars are the Jalpesh temple, Buxa Duar and Tota para.

Where to stay in Dooars?

There are some forest lodges in Dooars, Samsing, Garumara, Chapramati, Hollong, Jainti, Nilpara, Bardabri, Madarihat and Mal. Tourists can rest in there.

Kalimpong-Beyond Nature

2011-12-13T23:54:00.000-08:00

Kalimpong is a hill station in the lesser Himalaya range of West Bengal. The town is situated at a ridge overseeing the Teesta river. The thick virgin forests, beckoning Himalayas, meadows, the vast valleys and the chilling weather have made Kalimpong one of the best tourist destinations of West Bengal.

How to reach Kalimpong:

Kalimpong is situated at the NH31A, which connects Sevok and Gangtok. The region is also an offshoot of NH31. Both of the national highways connects this region with the plains. Regular car rental service and bus service connects Kalimpong with Siliguri and its outskirt areas. But the communication gets disrupted because of land slides during the monsoon times. Two wheelers, hired taxi services are available for traveling at the shorter distances. The nearest airport of Kalimpong is Bagdogra airport which is located 80 km away from this region. The airport connects Kalimpong with Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, (Paro)Bhutan and Bangkok.The closest railway station of Kalimpong is the New Jalpaiguri. Tourists can reach till New Jalpaiguri by train and can take a hired car service from there.

Places to visit:

Kalimpong has become a popular tourist destination because of its proximity to the famous tourist destinations and because of the temperate climate of this area. Kalimpong is a home to the Buddhism religion. There are several rare scriptures of the Tibetan Buddhist as well Buddhist monastery available at Kalimpong. Tourists can visit the Durpin Dara, which is a observatory point located at 3 km away from the Kalimpong town. One can see the amazing view of the Himalayan ranges as well as the breathtaking view of the mighty Teesta from this place. Another popular tourist destination is the Neora Valley National Park which is the home to the tigers. Kalimpong is the ideal place where you can enjoy the quiet and beautiful nature at its best.

Horticulture is a popular activity of this region. The flower market of this region has an wide collection of orchids, flower bulbs, rhizomes and tubers. Besides, ficus, cinnamon, bamboo, cardamom and cacti are seen in the hillsides of this region. Animals that can be seen in this region are clouded leopard, red panda, Asiatic black beer, Siberian Weasel, goral, Tahr, pangolin and gaur. Rishi Bankim Chandra Park-the ecological museum is another place where the tourist can go.

Cuisines:

Kalimpong is the home of some different cuisines. Momo is the popular snack of here. It is made of beef, vegetables and pork cooked in a flour wrap and the food is served hot with watery soups. Other popular foods available in kalimpong are: Thukpa, a type of noodle served in a form of soup and Churpee, a kind of hard cheese made of chauri's or Yak's milk. The favorite beverage of Kalimpong is tea.

Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary

2011-10-19T01:45:00.000-07:00

Want to spend your leisure time in the forests amidst the sounds of the wild animals? Or want some adventure in life? Then you can try to visit the great wildlife sanctuary, located in Bethuadahari. Located 148 km away from Kolkata, Behuadahari is a reserve forest. The core area of the forest is spread over around 167 acres. To be in the forest for few hours, will feel like you are in the mother nature's lap.

How to reach Bethuadahari?

Bethuadahari is easily accessible by road and rail service. Regular bus services are available from Berhampur and krishnanagar. Another way you can choose is the local train service. Regular train services are available from Sealdah. You need to avail the train service from Sealdah to Krishnanagar. From there you can take a rickshaw to reach the sanctuary.

Flora and Fauna:

The entire sanctuary is covered with several big trees including the Shal, Teak, Arjun, Sishu, Bamboo and Hamjam. The inhibited wild animals in this wildlife sanctuary include: deer, tortoise, crocodiles, monkeys, rabbits, mongoose and a wide variety of snakes. At present there are 183 deers in the forest. Apart from the animals there are a wide variety of birds and insects.

Things to do in Bethuadahari sanctuary?

People usually visit this forest to get rid of the tiredness comes from the hassle and bustle of the daily life. You can roam around the sanctuary, visit the wild animals and can feel the calmness in your mind. Viewing the sunrise in the jungle is a marvelous experience with birds chirping all around.

After visiting this sanctuary, you can take rest in the lodges or in the rest houses outside thisforest for the night. The next morning you can visit the nearer places like Yugpur forest, Mayapur, or Plassey.

Best time to visit Bethuadahari:

Bethuadhahari remains open for its visitors all around the year. You can visit this forest anytime you feel like.

Bakkhali-Touching The Sea Shore

2011-09-15T07:02:00.000-07:00

Bakkhali is a seaside resort, and one of the deltic islands of South Bengal. It is situated in the South 24 parganas. The 7km long sea beach of Bakkhali stretches across to Frasergunj from Bakkhali with relaxing and rolling waves and casuarina trees in the beach line. The sea beach is not crowded except the occasional holidays. In the general days, some parts of the beach remain open. The hard beach of Bakkhali is perfect for driving and cycling. One can even take a long walk here in the evening.

A trip to Bakkhali:How to reach?

The place is achieving huge popularity in a rapid pace because of the tourist-friendly environment. Now a days, traveling to Bakkhali from Kolkata has become quite easier and less time consuming. Tourists can board a train from Sealdah to Namkhana railway station. It would take 2.30 to 3 hours to reach. Regular bus services and private cars are available from Namkhana. You can either choose the bus service or the car. The second one is more preferable as it takes less time to reach to Bakkhali.

The drive to Bakkhali from Diamond Harbour is quite enjoyable as the road passes through small markets, sleepy villages and sometimes a creek with bridges over it. The ferry crossing is a memorable experience to the city dwellers as the ferries carry humans, cars and buses at one time.

Lothian and Jambudwip are two nearby forested islands of Bakkhali. The only way to reach at this islands iare the motorised country boats. But there are no jetties. Travelers have to jump out of the country boats and wade through the sea to reach there.

The experience sounds quite thrilling! Rickshaw is the only mode of local transport here.
Local people rely on the trekker and bus services to reach at the farther destinations.
There are plenty of hotels in Bakkhali to stay. They offer a good service within a reasonable price. You can also stay at the Henry Island or at the WBSTDC Guest House.

A trip to Bakkhali: Activities

Bakkhali is not only a mere tourist destination, it is also famous for various reasons. There are several windmills in Frasergunj,which generates power for the small localities. The hotels use the power of solar heaters to heat water. The only activity of the people of this destination is fishing. In Frasergunj, there is a fishing harbour., established by the a wing of the state government

A trip to Bakkhali: Why Bakkhali?

If you like to spend a day of leisure, far away from the hassles of the city, Bakkhali can be the perfect spot. Here, you can still hear the crow of the cock in the morning and can view ducks paddling through the muddy pools.

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Jhilimili is a quiet and pleasant place for traveler

2011-07-16T00:20:00.000-07:00

Jhilimili is a beautiful tourist center in Khatra subdivision of Bankura district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is also a meeting point of the three districts of Bankura, Purulia and Midnapur. In Bengali, Jhilimili means sparkle or twinkle.

Jhilimili is situated 70 Km away from Bankura Town.Jhilimili is located on the banks of Kangsabati River, is about 15 kilometers from Mukutmanipur,80 kilometres from Bankura, 36 kilometres from Khatra and 20 kilometresfrom Ranibandh.

Jhilimili is a quiet and pleasant place for traveler, if you want to go Ranibandh to Jhilimili offers a magnificent revelation to impressive forest of changeable heights on both sides on the route. The Kangsabati flows through this forest and its banks are also a perfect picnic spot.

Jhilimili hav a won cultural significant, during mid of January, “Tusu parab” is celebrated there. Goddess Tusu is worshipped. Santhals organise village fairs during Makara Sankranti.

Government buses leave from the Shahid Minar of Calcutta, bus stand at 10 p.m., reaching Jhilimili in the early hours of morning. These buses go via Mukutmanipur and Ranibandh. There are also buses plying between Jhargram (in the district of Midnapur) and Jhilimili.

Tarakeshwar - the pilgrim place - Famous Shiva Temple

2011-06-26T23:55:00.000-07:00

Tarakeshwar is one of the perfect pilgrimage centers and most acclaimed religious destinations in West Bengal of India .Tarakeshwar is located near Serampore in the district of Hooghly near Kolkata in Bengal. This small place is famous for the holy temple of Lord Shiva. Thousands of Devotees pour in every day to offer their prayer to the Lord from all through India and also from foreign countries. This temple dates back to the 18th century. Legend has it that a devotee by name Vishnu Das emigrated with his clan from Oude (Ayodhya) and was viewed with suspicion by the locals. It is believed that he proved his innocence by holding in his hand a red hot iron bar. Later, his brother discovered a site in the nearby jungle, where cattle discharged the contents of their udders at a particular spot each day. Upon investigation, they discovered a Shivalingam. A dream is said to have revealed to them that this Shivalingam was a manifestation of Tarakeshwar - Shiva. A temple was built at this spot, and was renovated in subsequent years.

The prime attraction is the Lord Shiva temple, known as Tarakeshwar temple.The temple has an 'atchala' building structure with a 'natmandir' (Place for prayers) in front. The temple premises host shrines of Kali and Lakshmi-Narayan.

Tarakeshwar is overwhelmed by the flow of pilgrims during the Sravan month (July – August). Maha Shivratri is an important festival in this town. It is celebrated with major fairs and shopping festivals. It is celebrated in a grandeur style in the month of February-March. Other festival celebrated here are the Bengali New Year or the Chaitra Sankranti

How to get there: Buses and trains are available from Kolkata, Kolkata's Dum-Dum airport is the nearest airport from Tarakeshwar and it is just 58 kms away from Tarakeshwar. You can hire a taxi from the Dum Dum airport to Tarakeshwar with a fare of about Rs 750.

Another way is the railway and the nearest station is Howrah junction which is 30 km away from Tarakeshwar. This is the cheapest way to reach Tarakeshwar as here you can hire a taxi or else you can get a bus straight to Tarakeshwar, now the choice is yours. Tarakeshwar also has a railway station which is connected with the Howrah station and you can get into a train to Tarakeshwar for reaching up faster.

Jhargram is the paradise of nature lover

2011-05-02T02:03:00.000-07:00

Jhargram is the Sub-Divisional town, situated in the western part of Paschim Medinipur District of West Bengal and close to the Jharkhand State. It's surrounded by dense Saal, Piyal and Mohua trees and carpeted in red earth. Jhargram, is an ideal destination for travelers and paradise of nature lovers to spending a few days in fresh atmosphere with low budget. In winter season in Jhargram is very enjoyable. The Durga Temple in the forest and a Deer Park are significant tourist spots here. Jamboni situated 11km. from Jhargram it's well known for old castle known as Chilkigarh and many other visiting place are there which awaiting for travelers certificate .Jhargram directly linked with Digha and Howrah by bus and train.

Tamluk is a Historical - Religious - Academic and Cultural place

2011-01-14T02:47:00.000-08:00

Tamluk is the headquarter of East Medinapur district in West Bengal. It is situated at100 kms from Kolkata connected by road and also communicated through Tamluk to Srirampur and Moyna, Tamluk to Mecheda, Kolaghat, and Kolkata, Tamluk to Panskura, Kharagpur and Ghatal, Tamluk to Haldia, Durgachowk, Tamluk to Digha, Contai, and Egra. The nearest railway station is Mecheda lying on Kolkata – Kharagpur route of the south eastern railway also connected by Howrah to Haldia, via Tamluk, Howrah to Digha, via Tamluk and Contai Haldia to Kharagpur via Tamluk.

Tamluk is the site of the ancient city known as Tamralipta or Tamralipti. The present town is located on the banks of the Rupnarayan river close to the Bay of Bengal. According to some scholars the city’s name derived from the Sanskrit word, Tamra Lipta, which means "Full of Copper". The name must have been originated during the Copper age, when Tamralipti was exported the ore and the metal to the peninsular India.
According to local folklore the name Tamralipta came from the King Tamradhwaja (which means The King with Copper Flag/symbol) of the Mayura-Dhwaja (Peacock) dynasty. During Fa-Hien's visit to Bengal, Fa-hien is said to have travelled eastward along the course of the Ganges river, and during his journey, he came across Buddhist stupas and monks at several places. In Tamluk/Tamralipti Fa-hien had spent two years, and visited twenty-two monasteries, inhabited by monks in Tamluk.

This ancient port city and kingdom was bounded by the Bay of Bengal in the south, river Rupnarayana in the east and Subarnarekha in the west. The Rupnarayana is the joint flow of the river Dwarkeshwar and the river Shilai. The Bay of Bengal and these great rivers and their numerous branches created a prosperous and easy water navigational system fostering commerce, culture and early contacts with the people outside the region. At the same time, these rivers helped to develop the agriculture in this region.
History tells us that the rivers have been central to urban settlement and development in the subcontinent from the ancient period. The Indus and the Ganges were cradles of ancient civilization. Tamluk was a civilization based on Bay of Bengal and river Rupnarayana. And the most important natural resource of this area was water from the rivers and sea.

It was known as Tramralipti or Tamralipta in Mahabharata or Tamalitti in foreigners` descriptions or Tamoluk in the British Raj. It was a seaport, now buried under river silt. For this reason, Tamluk has many ponds and lakes remaining today. According to Jain sources, Tamralipti was the capital of the kingdom of Venga and was long known as a port.
Tamluk is mainly an agricultural area. About 60% of the land is under cultivation. Tamluk is one of the largest producer and exporter of the Pan Leaf. Once Fishing was an important occupation of the local residents. Hilsa ( Ilish Mach ) of the River Rupnarayan is very famous for its taste.

Sanatan Shakti Peeth It is an important pilgrim place of the Hindus and one of the 51 sacred places of Shakti Peeth where left ankle of Sati/Parvati fell. The temple's presiding deity is known as Shri Barghobhima Devi.

Vaisnav/Vaishnav Thirtha In the vaishnava/vaisnava dharma Tamluk is also an important Vaishnav/vaisnava Tirtha. According to Kashidas Mahabharat and Jaimini's Mahabharat Supreme Lord Sri Krishna and Arjun came here to release the Devine Horse of Ashwamedh Yagna from King Tramradhwaja. The land of Tamluk is always devine and sacred because it was touched by the lotus feet of Sri Krishna.

In various Vaisnava religious writing Tamluk is mentioned as the next "Vrindavan" where on the next Kalp ( Next Creation of the universe) Sri Krishna will play his Rass Leela.

Places to see

Rupnarayan - The Rupnarayan river bank is famous for picnic.
Devi Barghobhima - There are near about 1150 year old Temple of Kali known here as Devi Barghobhima. This temple is a part of 51 Shakti Peethas. Puranas say that the small finger of left feet of devi Parvati fell here, when Lord Vishnu cut the sacred Body of Goddess Parvati into several pieces to make Lord Shiva quite.
Tamluk Rajbari - Tamluk Rajbari is on the outskirts of town. The literal translation for "rajbari" is king's house, once housing one of the many kings in West Bengal. The Mayura-dhwaja ( Peackok ) Dynasty had been named in Mahabharata, Bhagvat, Bramhabaibarto Puran etc as a very rich and wealthiest one of that region.
Archeological Museum - There are an Archeological Museum in Tamluk; it is a most visiting place of the town. Mr Kamal Kundu is the one of the prominent person who did his best to run this museum. The Tamralipta Museum at Tamluk contains artifacts of tamra or copper. Inscribed copper templates comprise the documents of this museum. The museum has preserved a tamralipta of Greek inscriptions. The Tamralipta Museum preserves the historical heritage of Bengal.
Rakhit bati - Rakhit bati is the another place to visit in Tamluk. In the beginning of 19th century it was famous as a secrete center of the then revolutionary party ‘Anusilan Samiti' & ‘Gupta samiti'. Famous historian late Shri Tailakyanath Rakhit rebuilt this building.
Matangani Sahid Smarak - Near about 7Km from Tamluk station and on the way to Tamluk college, Matangani Hazara Sahid Smarak at the side of pond called Banpukur at Abasbari Para near Tamluk Court is one of the most important place of tourist. During the ‘Ahimsa' movement of 1942, while a crowd trying to capture Tamluk administrative building, British police opened fire in which Smt Matangini Hazara became ‘Sahid'. Later on Mahatma Gandhi appreciated her bravery and titled her as ‘Birangana'. This monument is a homage to her by Ex- prime-minister, Smt Indira Ghandhi.
Tamluk irrigation Bungalow - Tamluk irrigation Bungalow and its near by areas also famous for its semi-non urban atmospheres. The River Rupnarayana is just 1 km from the bungalow.
Green fields near the rail station - Another very popular picnic destination in Tamluk is green fields near the rail station.

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SHANTINIKETAN - A HISTORICAL ,TEACHING AND FESTIVE PLACE

2010-09-22T05:40:00.000-07:00

Shantiniketan is a famous town near Birbhum district of West Bengal, approximately 180 kilometers north of Kolkata. Santiniketan was previously called Bhubandanga (named after Bhuban Dakat), and owned by the Tagore family. Rabindranath's father, Maharshi Debendranath Tagore, found it very peaceful and renamed it Santiniketan, which means abode of peace .It has become a tourist spot because of it’s association with Rabindronath Tagore, one of Bengal’s greatest poet. Shantiniketan was founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in 1921.Santiniketan is also a tourist attraction because Rabindranath wrote many of his literary classics here, and his house is a place of historical importance. His aim was to establish an institution that would follow the traditional Indian gurukul
system of instruction. In this system guru would teach his/her disciples, while sitting on the grass under shady trees. Rabindranath Tagore started Patha Bhavan the school of his ideals, whose central premise was that learning in a natural environment would be more enjoyable and fruitful. After he received the Noble Prize (1913), the school was expanded into a university. He established Visva Bharati University that followed the same idea of open air lessons. The Vishwa Bharati University is the meeting place for the east & western culture. Students from various part of the world come to learn Indian music & dance & also about the Indian culture. Shantiniketan is one of the most famous places in the world. Visva Bharati is an

international institution famous for its conventional way teaching. The traditions such as open air lessons, gurukul system of instruction still persist in the curricula of various programs. It is still a hallowed ground for admirers of Tagore.

Many world famous teachers have become associated with it, and Indira Gandhi was one of its more illustrious students. Kala Bhavana, the art college of Santiniketan, is still considered one of the best art colleges in the world. Other institutions here include Vidya Bhavana; the Institute of Humanities, Shiksha Bhavana; the Institute of Science, Sangit Bhavana; Institute of Dance, Drama and Music, Vinaya Bhavana; Institute of Education, Rabindra Bhavana, Institute of Tagore Studies and Research, Palli-Samgathana Vibhaga; Institute of Rural Reconstruction, and Palli Shiksha Bhavana; Institute of Agricultural Sciences. There are also other centres, affiliated to major institutions such as Nippon Bhavana, the Indira Gandhi Centre for National Integration, Rural Extension Centre, Silpa Sadana; Centre for Rural Craft, Technology and Design, Palli-Charcha Kendra; Centre for Social Studies and Rural Development, Centre for Biotechnology, Centre for Mathematics Education, Centre for Environmental Studies, Computer Centre and Indira Gandhi Centre for National Integration. As well as Patha-Bhavana, there are two schools for kindergarten level education; Mrinalini Ananda Pathsala, Santosh Pathsala; a school for primary and secondary education known as Shiksha Satra, and a school of higher secondary education known as Uttar-Shiksha Sadana.

The weather in Santiniketan is usually a pleasant one although you will come across the normal weather changes during summer, winter and Monsoon. Nonetheless Spring has its own charm in Santiniketan not only because of its natural beauty blooming to its fullest amidst the lush greenery but also due to the famous Vasanta Utsav held to mark the festival of Holi with the onset of Spring.The Vichitra Museum, inside the university has memorabilia from the poet’s life including his paintings, developed from the sketches he made in the margins of the paper while writing. Excellent performances of Rabindra sangeet can be heard in the campus every evening.

About 30 kms from Shantiniketan is a small village Kenduli, the birth place of great Sanskrit poet Jaydev. Jaydev composed the famous Geeta Govinda. There are several temples here. Kenduli is famous for its folk song festival held during Makar Sankranti (Mid January). This festival is the largest of its kind in the state. Bauls, a sect of wandering minstrels, gather here during this festival.

Poush mela is a big festival in Shantiniketan in West Bengal. It happens in end of December. This festival is full of folk songs, baul songs, theatres and group dance. During this time the air in Shantiniketan is filled with colors, soft music. People from all over

India

and outside

India

come here to rediscover

India

On the first day the festival begins with community prayer orBrahmopasana written by Maharshi and Rabindranath. This followed by Tagore songs. Next comes the famous folk songs of West Bengal along with boul songs.On the second day the university arrange a award ceremony for students who have completed graduation. At the fair, the centre stage never quietens – more bauls and kirtan singers perform

; jatras and folk theatres are held.On the second evening, there is a celebration of fireworks, thoroughly enjoyed by everyoneBy the third day the number of tourist reach to near about ten thousand ; at night some areas are flooded with neon lights, while at other corners, you cannot even discern your own big toe. Irrespective of their urban or rural roots, children happily pick up brightly coloured wooden toys while their mothers select palm-leaf trinketsUsually, the three days include Christmas Day and everyone joins in the Krishtotsav, observed by the ashramites. Besides, there are cultural events and memorial lecture. Although real estate is booming, still the place is comfortably swathed in green and with not much auto mobile traffic (walking or cycling is the common mode of commuting), Shantiniketan offers a welcome weekend getaway, any time throughout the year and specially during its festive days.

As the last festival in Bengali calendar, Basanta Utsav (spring festival), which is held on the day of Dol yatra, has great importance in Bengali life and culture. Every year, the festival is celebrated with great fanfare in Shantiniketan that sees the arrival of thousands of enthusiasts from all corners of the world.

Rabindranath Tagore, the famous saint-poet and the Indian Noble laureate, revived the spirit of Holi in

India

as the Spring festival or

Vasant Utsav at Shanti Niketan. The students of Bishwabharati University here dress in yellow-colored dresses on this day and celebrate Holi by performing special cultural programmes such as group choreography, songs and dances. They welcome the Spring by staging various aspects of this joyous festival in an artistic manner. Later, all the students and teachers play Holi with 'abeer' and 'gulal', the colored powders and smear each other's faces with red, yellows and greens.

In Shantiniketan, Basant Utsav is celebrated with immense fervor and zeal. Boys and girls, dressed in yellow (basanti) color, welcome spring - the season of hope, in a very elegant manner. They greet spring not only with colors, but also with songs, music and interesting rhymes. The cultural fest organized here, on this day, offers some spectacular performances of arts and crafts, by the students of Vishwabharti University. They sing beautiful songs and also dance to the tune of pleasurable music in groups. Later in the day, on Vasanta Utsav, the students as well as the teachers apply colored powders on each other. This powder is popularly called abeer (abhor). Following the coloring tradition, the entire premises of the university gets filled with the colors of abeer. A warm welcome is given to all the visitors and each of them is welcomed to join in this merry making festival. The air is filled not only with a number of vivacious colors, but also with the feeling of joy and hope, making the entire atmosphere delightful.

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Tiger Hill in Darjeeling is a paradise of earth

2010-08-28T01:46:00.001-07:00

Sightseeing in Darjeeling remains incomplete without the visit to the Tiger Hill. The vibrant spectacle that sunrise is over the Tiger Hill in Darjeeling, makes the place a paradise on earth. Tiger Hill is about 12km from Darjeeling and at an altitude of 2555 meters above the sea level is a Mecca for tourists visiting the mountains.

You have to get up at 4am to make it there in time for sunrise, over the Mount Kanchanjangha range. As the sun appears, the mountain changes color in what is a pretty darn amazing sight. It is the third highest mountain in the world and Everest is viewable in the distance.

On a clear day, Mount Everest, which is around 225 km from Tiger Hills, can also be seen; however, this is a rare sight. One must get up at 4 am to be able to be there to watch the sunrise.

As the sun rises, the color of the mountain changes, which is an amazing sight. The way to Tiger Hill in Darjeeling is covered by the ancient forests of oak and green fern leaves. The view of the Hill becomes more spectacular with the road towards Senchel running down through Ghoom.

The first rays of the sun brush the peaks of the Tiger Hill at Darjeeling swathing it in a warm pinkish hue. As the sun climbs up the horizon, gradually the colors change into a pulsating orange.The Tiger Hill in Darjeelingis located 11kilometrs away from Darjeeling and at around 8500 feet high .

The visit to the Kanchenjunga peaks is a great experience. The tourists should try and visit the place around 4 am in the dawn to experience the stunning beauty of the Tiger Hill in Darjeeling .The Mount Everest is

225kilometresaway from the hill and peaks make for

a beautiful sight, as they peep out of the mist and the clouds.While on a visit to the Tiger Hill at Darjeeling the visitors can have a look into the Senchel Sanctuary and the Senchel Lake. The Tiger Hill of Darjeeling, India is a UNESCO Heritage site and known to the entire world for its glorious sunrises.The panoramic view of the sunrise is a grand occasion for any visitor. While on a trip to Darjeeling one should never miss the opportunity to have a look at the world's best scene.

A trip to the Tiger Hill at Darjeeling adds more value on a very clear and sunny day.The beautiful and the enchanting Teesta River and Mechi River are also visible from the Tiger Hill in Darjeeling.The mount Kanchenjunga is a mysterious mountain. Its hiding all the day behind the cloud and its only comes out early in the morning. So tiger hill is the best place to see Kanchenjunga as well.If you decide to visit that place then just fallow this 2point You need give 20 rupees ( Indian currency ) as entry fees. There are many taxi in Darjeeling town which will take the tourist to the tiger hill. But another important thing is that some time the taxi driver don't come timely or some time they even don't come. So it will be better to give booking for the car from the hotel desk then there will be no chance to miss the sunrise.

Shankarpur

2010-06-12T01:17:00.001-07:00

Digha is the most famous beach resort of the state of West Bengal. It provides base for the many other beautiful beaches of the state. Shankarpur is one of such beaches.
Shankarpur, a virgin beach as yet and Fishing Harbour also. Not far from Digha, around 14 km from Digha, along the Digha-Contai Road. It is now developed as a sea resort with hotels It offers nearly all the pleasures of a private beach . Shankarpur is mainly credited for all the advantages of Digha and decreasing the crowd of Digha. It can boast of a wide and unspoilt beach, casuarinas groves by the side of a gentle sea and a good climate round the year. Apart from the long, tree-lined beach, the main attraction is the Shankarpur Fishing Harbour Project. Regular buses are available from Kolkatta to Digha. To reach Shankarpur from Digha you can avail local transport facilities like bus or auto rickshaw. The pleasant climate of Shankarpur provides the best weekend destination for the entire year, but July to March is the best time to visit.
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Wild Life Sancturay of Jaldapara

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Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is a protect park situated at the foothills of Eastern Himalayas and on the bank of river Torsa in Alipurduar Sub Division of Jalpaiguri District in West Bengal. Established in 1941 for the protection of the Indian one-horned rhino.The river Torsha flows through this rain forest sanctuary which is mostly covered with tall grasses(elephant
grasses),The main attraction of the sanctuary is Asiatic one-horned hinoceros. Jaldapara holds the maximum number of rhinos population in India after Kaziranga National Park in Assam. The other animals consists of Royal Bengal Tigers, elephants, deers, sambhar, barking deer, spotted deer and hog deer, wild pig, bisons. Jaldapara is a paradise for bird watchers.Bengal Florican is sighted here.Jaldapara opens to visitors throughout the year except from 15 June until 14 September.During the period from October to May, and particularly March and April, new grass starts growing.Elephant ride is the only way to reach deep inside the grassland for the real excitement.

Totopara is a small village on a hillock located in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, India. It's a another major attraction for those interested in ethnic tourism.This village is home to the unique Toto tribe that is one of the most endangered ethnic communities in
the world.Their numbers are now reduced to a mere thousand.Lots of initiatives have been taken by governmental and non-governmental agencies for the improvement of their living conditions. However, to live with them and to observe their traditional culture can
still be a precious experience.

Hidden deep inside the Chilapata Forests the ruins of a thousand years old fort of Nal King has a tremendous historical and archeological importance. The ruins consist of a broken wall and a broken gate of the fort. Built in the 5th century during the Gupta Empire the ruins still recall the memories of the Golden Age. Because the site is not maintained properly, it has now become a playground for leopards, snakes and other animals.

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BANKURA IS THE TEMPLE CITY OF WEST BENGAL

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BANKURA,We find the name Bankura in the Mahabharata, there was described as Suhmobhumi. The word Larh or Rarh was introduced after 6th century A.D. In Santali, lar means thread, rarh means tune and larh means snake. Perhaps the Jain and Greek scholars used this original Austric word Larh to indicate this dry forest region which was very difficult to access that time. The popularity of Manasa Puja, the worship of Snake-Goddess Manasa, proves this opinion might have some relevance. The mantle of the rich historical legacy that Bankura inherited originated with being the capital of Mallabhum kingdom, an important dynasty of the Hindu regime in Bengal. The present district of Bankura has the districts of Purulia, Burdwan, Hooghly and Midnapore at her borders. The district lies in between the hills and terrains of Chotanagpur and Santal Parganas in Bihar on one side and the alluvial fertile land of Bengal on the other. The physiographical features of this district are partially available in the bordering districts of Midnapur and Purulia.It is known as the Temple city of West Bengal. Terracotta temple built from the red soil is very famous , Bankura terracotta horse is one of the best handicrafts of

India

Well connected to Durgapur (45km) by road. Private and state transport buses are most convenient. From Howrah (Kolkata), trains like Rajdhani Express, Rupasi Bangla, Purulia Express, Chakradharpur Passenger, Mumbai Mail (weekly) are available. Puri Express( Puri-New Delhi), BadriNath Dham Express (Patna-Puri), Guwahati-Puri Express also run via Bankura. Passenger trains like Tatanagar-Kharagpur, Asansol-Kharagpur connect Bankura with major railheads in this region. Buses run between Kolkata and Bankura. Regular bus services are also available for Malda, Siliguri, Purulia, Medinipur, Kharagpur, Tatanagar, Ranchi etc.

Susunia hill is quite popular as trekking spot both inside & out side of Bankura

district.Biharinath Hill is on the north of Saltora Block, tallest in the district (448 metre) stands guard on the north-western edge, a famous place of tourism and at the foot of the hill a small tank mesuring 0.50 ha. can be accommodated with a anglins facilities for recreation of the touring people near by a temple. Mukutmonipur - The second biggest earther Dam of India, Mukutmonipur is 55Km away from Bankura District Head Quarter and situated in the confluence of river Kangsabati and Kumari. Green forest surround the vast bluish tract of water, Hillocks are essentially a dream come here. The place is very much famous for its superb natural beauty. The undulating terrain along the southern edge of the Kangsabati Water Reservoir spreads as a three-dimensional necklace of green and Terracotta colour.

The stand-till water of the reservoir look like a large blue tinted glass mirror reflecting the vast expanse of sky over it. The vastness of the lake stretches as far your eye can reach. The view of the sunset with the lake on the four ground is breath taking . You must also experience the moonlit night around the reservoir . The surface of the static water turns into a shiny silvery plate gifted by God. Jhilimili is situated 70 Km away from Bankura Town of us beauty of an undisturbed dense natural forest. A travel from Ranibund to Jhilimili offers a wonderful exposure to spectacular forest of varying heights on both sides on the route, and finally reaching Jhilimili mounted on the top of a hillock. The sparkle of micaceous soil adds to the beauty of the environment.

Travellers destination to Mandarmoni or Mandarmani

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Mandarmoni or Mandarmani, a quiet virgin beach in east midnapore.Thousands of small crabs crawl around the 13 km. long virgin
beach makingit look like a simmering field of the red flower Mandar. Years ago the resemblance ignited the imagination of the
locals. They named it Mandarboni.In course of time it has become Mandarmoni.Not much has changed since then. Mandarmoni on the
Bengal coast remains the very same bright and serene seaside, fanned by tropical breeze from the Bay of Bengal The only difference - it is now an exotic holiday destination.

Getting There:-
Located East Midnapur near Digha. You can travel to Mandarmoni by bus or by car from Kolkata.Just about three hours from Kolkata.After crossing the Vidyasagar Setu take the Kona Expressway and turn left on reaching the Mumbai Road. Move along and turn left at Kolaghat for the popularly known "Digha Route" to reach Chawalkhola. Take a left turn again and follow the village road for about 8 kms. The road ends into a beautiful seaside village called "Dadon-Patro-Bar" You have reached prior intimation.

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Most popular cities of West Bengal

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Kolkata:-In 1690, Job Charnok, an agent of the East India Company chose this place for a British trade settlement. Sutanuti, Gobindapur and Kalikata now known as Kolkata.Now It's the capital of West Bengal and it is one of the major metropolitan cities of India along with Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

Majority of the residents of the city are Hindus but Muslims,Sikh, Christian, Jain, Persis, Buddhist and many others religious peoples are live together with love and effection.

Kolkattans are very talented people and have an artistic flair.Kolkata famous for its cultural activities like theater, music, dance, art and poetry.There are many kind of bars and discotheques, where you can go and enjoy.

Kolkata is easy to access by air, rail or road. In fact, if you're on an extended vacation in India, and are planning to get to Calcutta from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, you can even take the ship from the islands to Kolkata.

Kolkata is well connected by air to all major countries in the world, as well as to Indian cities. The air carriers that have flights to and from the city include Aeroflot, Air France, Air India, Biman Bangladesh, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Gulf Air, Indian Airlines, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Royal Nepal Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways International.

Most inward bound trains stop at Howrah, which is also the station from which major trains to other cities depart. Most trains heading to areas such as New Jalpaiguri and other provinces in the north-east stop at the other station, Sealdah. Local trains to nearby towns are available from both stations, depending on which part of West Bengal you want to go to.

Buses are also available to nearby towns, especially if you wish to visit Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri on your trip to Calcutta. Depending on which direction you're heading in, buses could depart from the end of the Maidan near Chowringhee Road, or the bus stand at Babu Ghat near Fort William. A few tour operators have their own private bus stands, so do make inquiries.

Calcutta is the perfect place to plan and start out on a variety of holiday tours that suit the needs and interests of tourists of every kind. If you have a yen for adventurous holidays, you can use Kolkata as your base to start off on a trekking expedition. Calcutta is also at a comfortable distance from many beaches. Some of these are usually packed with tourists, while others are more secluded.Kolkata is the gateway to a variety of places that could make your honeymoon as special as it should be. Most honeymooners prefer to use this city as the base camp, striking out for a beach or a hill resort nearby, before returning to Kolkata and to their homes.Art connoisseurs, heritage hunters, party people, history lovers - there's a nook for every kind of traveller in Calcutta. A visit to a temple or cathedral in the morning, an afternoon among the cool, silent allure of its museums, an invigorating evening walk alongside a heritage building or two, a rip-roaring end to the day at the city's night spots - it's possible to pack all this and more into a day of Kolkata travel. Fire temples, synagogues, beautifully crafted mosques, streets choc-a-bloc with temples… Calcutta is home to people of diverse religious beliefs. If you avoid guides, middlemen (called pandas) and beggars, and keep a sharp eye on your wallet, the pilgrimage spots in this city can be the best way to bond with the soul of the city. Most fairs in Calcutta are held in what is known as the lungs of the city - the Maidan. These sprawling fields next to the Victoria Memorial and Birla Planetarium host a dazzling array of fairs through the year. Don't be surprised if you find a true-blue Calcuttan planning what to buy each month and which fair to buy it at - these shows have become a permanent feature of the Calcutta landscape. When's a bamboo tent not a bamboo tent? When you're in Calcutta. For, in this city, a step into a luxurious bamboo edifice known locally as a pandal could well be your baptism to the festive side of the city. Pandals, in which the idols of deities are places and worshippers congregate, are a staple of Hindu festivals Kolkata, but the festive landscape of Calcutta isn't about which religion you belong to. Festivals are a great opportunity to meet people, soak in the culture of the city, pamper your taste buds, discover the cosmopolitan side to the city and, of course, give yourself up to religious fervor.

From hole-in-the-wall travel agents to custom-made tours, from hops around the city to a leisurely cruise down the Ganges, Calcutta has something for the holiday maker of every kind. It is a city where you can go around on a shoe-sting budget, or opt for a cruise that is high on comfort and luxury.
In keeping with the variety offered by the city, we offer tours that are tailor-made for every kind of budget, and for every interest you might have. Check out our tour packages and get the best out of your stay in Calcutta.