West Bengal
- Area:308144 sq. kms.
- Capital:Kolkata
- Language:Bengali
The eastern Indian state of West Bengal is regarded as a land of great diversity. This diversity is not confined to her geographical features alone. It stretches to her demographic pattern and culture also. A canvas of many shades, tourists could have a glimpse of the serene rural landscape, the skyscrapers of big cities, the picturesque hill stations of the north and scenic beaches down West Bengal's south. And when it comes to festivals, West Bengal celebrates them in a way unmatched by any other state of India. Bengalis are also expert in making delicious sweets.
Known in earlier times as Vanga, West Bengal has a rich history. Many dynasties ruled and vanished in the soil of Bengal. The 13th century saw Bengal coming under Islamic rule and later developing into a prominent place of trade and commerce under the Mughals. Bengal is also regarded as the first region of India to come under British rule. It is from Bengal that British extended their rule to the rest of India and made Kolkata (Calcutta) the initial capital of India. West Bengal is also the birth place of Nobel prize winner Rabindra Nath Tagore and world famous film director Satyajit Ray. Mother Teresa adopted Bengal as her home.
Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal is one of India's four metropolitan cities. The city has many beautiful monuments dating back to the British period.
The Victoria Memorial, Birla Planetarium and Howrah bridge of Kolkata are among its best attractions.
Shantiniketan is a famous university town in West Bengal having gained popularity for its association with Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.
From the plains, tourists can go to higher altitudes where the snow clad mountains of the picturesque hill station of Darjeeling awaits them. The beauty of the hill station enthralls all who visit the place. In close proximity are a few other hill stations namely Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik.
The Sunderbans Delta in West Bengal's south is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger. The fact that Sunderbans can only be seen through the river route travelling by boat further adds to the thrill of visiting the place. A state with a long coastline, West Bengal also has some scenic beaches like Falta, Shankarpur, Digha and Sagar Islands.
West Bengal adorns a new look during the Durga Puja celebrations in the month of October. The festival, celebrated with pomp and gaiety, attracts tourists from all parts of India and even abroad. Bengal is particularly famous for sweets and fish delicacies.
West Bengal is bound by the states of Sikkim, Assam, Orissa, Bihar and Jharkhand. West Bengal also shares international boundary with Bhutan and Bangladesh.
The state also has a long coast washed by the waters of Bay of Bengal. The vast majority of the people in the state are Bengalis. Sherpas, Gorkhas and Paharis reside mostly in the hilly areas of the north.
West Bengal is one Indian state where tourists cannot complain of monotony. Her attractions are diverse and mesmerizing.
Places of Interest
Calcutta
Calcutta, which had the privilege of being the capital of British India before it was shifted to Delhi. Calcutta, a city which has adopted to the modern trends and techniques of the world but has not shed the leisurely life style and the calm which it has acummulated since ages. A city which till few years ago was the most densely populated city in the world. Calcutta has the country''''s first Metro railway and also retains some of the building which are more than hundred year old. It is a city of enduring charm.
Calcutta has since developed from a fishermens village to become one of the largest cities in the world. Being the capital of the British till 1912, the architecture here is a medley of occidental and oriental styles. Today the city symbolises creativity and vibrance with all the modern amenities available.
Calcutta is a city with strong cultural, literary and religious flavours. this is the home of many of India''''''''s leaders. Activities in the field of fine arts, music, dance, theatre and writing make the city a happening place.
How To Reach:
- By Air:Well Connected with the major cities.
- By Rail:Howrah and Sealdah are the main railway stations in Calcutta. Calcutta is well Connected with the major cities.
- By Road:Well Connected with the major cities.
Places to See:
Belur Math, Botanical Garden, Dakshineshwar Temple, Howarh Bridge, Jain Temple, Kali Temple, Marble Palace, Nakhoda Mosque, National Library, Rabindra Sarobar, Raj Bhavan, Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Sahid Minar (Ochterlony Monument), St.Paul's Cathedral, Victoria Memorial, Zoological Gardens.
The most important and organized hill resort in Eastern India is Darjeeling which lies 686 kms from Calcutta perched at a height of 2134 meters with a backdrop of the mighty snow clad Himalayan Peaks.
A small but bustling town in the Himalaya foothills of West Bengal- Kalimpong is at an altitude of 1250 meters. This bazaar town was originally a part of Bhutan but later it was taken over by the British and finally it became a part of West Bengal. Kalimpong is famous for its monasteries, Churches and a private library for the study of Tibetan and Himalayan languages, culture etc.. This place also has the Sericulture centre and the orchid nurseries and of course the place provides some beautiful sights of the Himalayan range. Though not all travellers visit this place which demands some attention. The journey from Darjeeling along the Teesta River is very interesting.
Terra-cotta, metalware & temples characterize Vishnupur. The temples are built mostly of brick & at times, of laterite. Clay & laterite are the only building materials available here besides wood and bamboo. The architecture is modeled on the pattern of Bengali huts built of bamboo & mud and roofed with thatch.
Indore is situated on the Malwa plateau at an altitude of 553 m above sea level, on the banks of two small rivulets - the Saraswati and the Khan. They unite at the centre of the city where a small 18th century temple of Sangamnath or Indreshwar exists. The name Indore is due to this diety. It is the largest city in Madhya Pradesh state in central India. It is among the million+ population cities of India with a population of 1,086,673 (1991). It is the commercial capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh. Indore city presents a happy blend of historical past and promises of rapid future modernization.
Ujjain is situated on the right bank of River bank or River Shipra. It is a very holy city for the Hindus a site for the triennial Kumbh Mela. According to Hindu scriptures, it was originally called Avantika. There is an interesting tale behind the sanctity of the city. It's origin is ascribed to the mythological legend of Sagar Manbthan (churning of the primordial ocean to discover the pot of nectar). The story goes that after the nectar was discovered, there was a chase between the gods and the demons to have the nectar first and thus attain immortality. During this chase a drop of nectar spilled and fell on Ujjain, thus making the city sacred.