The state of West Bengal is a place of many fascinations. Its history has been mired with the history of India and its culture has been of acute importance as well.
West Bengal has been blessed by the River Ganga, or rather its tributary, River Hooghly. Thanks to the bountiful river, the state of West Bengal had become the richest areas in the Indian subcontinent once upon a time. Agriculture flourished here and the produce was transported all over India. The huge riches attracted invaders including the British who based their campaign of conquering India from Bengal.
This rich history has an indelible effect on the landscape of India. Art and culture flourished in the region side by side. The cultural heritage of West Bengal is reflected in the works of the great Rabindranath Tagore, the only Nobel laureate of India in Literature. The artistic heritage of Bengal is reflected in the numerous works by famed artists over the ages. Bengal has produced innumerable poems, books and even songs. West Bengal has also been blessed with a heritage in architecture. Its cities still have the splendid buildings from the colonial era, visible in the streets of Darjeeling and Kolkata. Nature has been kind. It has not only given a bountiful river, it has also given some amazing natural treasures such as the Dooars.
West Bengal is an incredible place where you will find it difficult to get bored. Each place here will open up a different vista and experience for you to enjoy.
As the tranquil waters of the Hooghly River flow by, Kolkata gets endowed with a contemplative atmosphere. In this contemplative atmosphere, lies one of the most amazing cities in India.The spectacular city of Kolkata has a plethora of beautiful aspects to flaunt. The contemplative atmosphere has contributed to the city’s growth and heritage as a cultural center. In fact, for years the city was considered to be the cultural hub of India. Its history is as flamboyant and immersive as its culture.
Once upon a time, Kolkata was nothing more than a simple fishing village. Later, it was developed under the British and became the capital of the British Empire in India. The effect of the British rule is still visible in the amazing colonial buildings here. It may now be the capital of the state of West Bengal but the city is still a veritable feast of colonial architecture. Often regarded as the intellectual capital of India, the city is going to stun you at every corner with new sights and experiences.
The culinary achievements of the Bengali culture can be experienced in its authentic form here in Kolkata. This amazing city has given birth to legends such as Satyajit Ray and even a Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore. Kolkata is not a city you visit but rather feel.
Victoria Memorial
Indian Museum
Kalighat Temple
Mother House
Sahid Minar
Dakshineswar Temple
Science City
The hamlet of Lolegaon is almost like a sister to the neighboring Lava village. The poalce is just as fascinating and stunning as Lava. The offbeat feel of Lolegaon is a refreshing experience in itself.
The vast canvas of Lolegaon is a masterpiece by the great artist Mother Nature herself. Leisure is something you can have in plenty here. The ethereal splendor of the place is mired with the wild untamed beauty of nature. The atmosphere of Lolegaon drips with tranquility which is rejuvenating and relaxing. On a good day, you will be presented with a vista of Himalayan Mountains. It is possible to enjoy a rare view of the Kachenjunga and the Everest mountains from here.
The wonderful city of Murshidabad lies rather languidly on the banks of the River Bhagirathi. Being a former capital city, the place is filled with relics of the past which both intriguing and mesmerizing.
Under the Mughal Rule, Murshidabad was the capital of the Bengal region. The city still has a charm of the former regal age hanging over it. Modernity has been embraced but you will still feel a twinge of nostalgic recall of the earlier periods of glory through the old buildings with the incredible architecture. The heritage of the city lies in its treasure trove of culture. The grandeur of the monuments has not yet been lost.
Hazarduari Palace Museum
Imambara
Nasipur Palace
Katra Mosque
Like a dream, Darjeeling lies stretched over the steep mountain ridge. Emerald tea plantations surround it and add an enchanting fragrant breeze mixed with the aroma of tea. As a background, the snow-white peaks of the Himalayas float on whiter smoky clouds.
Darjeeling is the most incredible attraction in West Bengal. Here you can stare in amazement at the Kanchenjunga Peak as it towers in the background. The city retains the colonial era charm with its beautiful architecture which makes your journey through the narrow streets a more fascinating affair. Here, you can enjoy glimpses of the rare red pandas snow leopards. In case you feel exhausted while enjoying all these interesting sights, there will always be a freshly brewed cup of the delicious Darjeeling Tea waiting for you.
Darjeeling Toy Train
Tiger Hill
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
Chowrasta and the Mall
Batasia Loop
War Memorial
Peace Pagoda
The quaint hamlet of Rishyap is blessed with a scenic setting. Its altitude of 2591 meters above sea-level gifts it with a cool atmosphere.
Rishyap seems like the perfect place for a rejuvenating quiet holiday. It hides like a shy girl within the embrace of the hills in the Neora Valley. Its isolated location makes the place the perfect place to get away from the maddening crowd. During the day, the sun creates a dazzling scene of vermillion that makes the place seem all the more stunning. In the distance the snow capped mountains of the Himalayan Range shine with their white splendor.
At night, you will feel that you have come closer to the heavens that are lit up by a shimmering array of stars. It is also possible to mistake the faint glow of lights that twinkle in the distant Pedong and Gangtok for stars. If you visit during the full moon, you will be luck. You will be able to enjoy the breathtaking sight of the mighty Mount Kanchenjunga shining under the soft glow of the moon.
Rishyap offers you the chance to relax and rejuvenate. If you want something to do, you can always take a hike or a trek through the depths of the silent forests decorated with orchids here.
The most popular sea resort of West Bengal, Digha is a charming place. The low gradient of the seashore makes the place perfect for a swim. The shallow beach is filled with golden sands that are warmed by the sun while gentle waves from the sea caress it lovingly.
There is a certain interesting allure to the quaintness of the place. The sea beaches are lined with spectacular plantations of Casuarina trees. The green of the trees provide a picturesque contrast with the golden and bluish hues of the seashores. The sunsets and the sunrises here are mesmerizing. As the rays of the sun touch the waters of the Bay of Bengal, you will feel that you have stepped into a colorful canvas by a master artist.
Nestled in the lower Himalayan Range, the hill station of Kalimpong is a serene place. The hill station overlooks the Teesta River which rushes by the town over the gravelly riverbed.You can get some pretty amazing views from the town. The sight of the river meandering through the gorge is a singularly splendid sight. The town itself is a melting pot of various interesting cultures and enjoyable activities. The fascinating landscape makes the town of Kalimpong all the more incredible. You can immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the region or get ready to glimpse some amazing wildlife. You can get your adrenaline flowing easily with an adventure or two.
Kalimpong is a gateway to Tibet and trading activities between peoples of the two nations are common here. You are bound to run into the ethnic Bhutanese and Nepalese here. The town itself is going to remind you of the colonial era of nation through the architecture left behind by the British. Here you will be stunned at the ancient Buddhist monasteries, old churches and the mesmerizing temples. Some of the Buddhist monasteries have rare scriptures of Tibetan Buddhism.
The Dooars region of West Bengal is a magnificently fantastic place. Nature is going to fill up your senses and take you on a wondrous trip at the Dooars.The natural forests of the Dooars are dense and seemingly the home of enigmas and mysteries. However, the only mystery you should be interested in will be how beautifl nature can truly be. The forests themselves are seemingly woven into an emerald canvas embroidered with patches of tea gardens. Mountain streams their uncountable tributaries decorate the canvas with varying shades of blue. Some of the more popular rivers here are the Teesta, the Torsha, the Raidak, the Kaljani and the Jaldhaka.
At the Dooars, you can participate in many exciting activities. You can shop for Bhutanese goods without even stepping into the territory of Bhutan. The Gorumara National Park can be visited if you want a closer look at some of the incredible creatures that frolic in the region. The Indian Rhinoceros, the Asian Elephant and the Gaur are some of the majestic animals who live here. If you are lucky, you can spot a leopard or two. The park is also home to some beautiful avian species such as the Scarlet Minivet and the Asian Paradise Flycatcher.
Jaldapara wildlife Sanctuary : Refuge of the Rhino
Located at an altitude of 7200 ft., Lava is an amazing place. You are going to be drenched in the beauty of Mother Nature here. Close by, you can take a sojourn through the beautiful Neora Valley National Park. There are some spectacular views of the Rechi La and the Jhelep La passes to be enjoyed here.
In Lava, you can take a stroll through the verdant forests of Fir and Oak trees. However, take care as the region is famous for leeches. You can have relaxing time being ensconced in the mesmerizing splendor of nature. The tranquility of the place is perfect when you wish to escape from the crowd. The view of the sunrise at Jhandi Dara is not something you are likely to forget soon.
In Bengali, the word Shantiniketan means ‘abode of peace’. The place epitomizes its name in every way possible. The tranquility of Shantiniketan is unparalleled. It is the center of the art and culture of West Bengal.
In 1901, the legendary poet, artist, author and Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore founded a school in the pastoral settings. Later, the school developed into a complete center of learning called the Visva Bharati University. Apart from studying the liberal arts, the center places an emphasis on the relationship of humanity and nature.
As you traverse through the beautiful grounds of the university, you are going to be assisted with shade by the numerous trees. There are a huge number of statues dotting the grounds as well. You can enjoy the innumerable murals of Shantiniketan. The prayer hall of the university is similarly amazing with the Belgian glass panels. As you walk through the grounds, you can recall the legendary people who once visited the place such as Mahatma Gandhi.
