India Travel

West Bengal

West Bengal is a land of natural beauty, music, poetry, culture & heritage and enthusiastic people. Situated in the east of India, the state which is known for Ravidra Sangeet stretches from the Himalayas in the north to the Bay of Bengal in the South. West Bengal shares international boundaries with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal and is interlocked by the other states like Sikkim, Assam, Orissa and Bihar. Hooghly and its tributaries - Mayurakshi, Damodar, Kangsabati and the Rupnarayan, enrich the soils of Bengal.

Kolkata, one of the many cities in the state of West Bengal has been nicknamed the City of Palaces. This comes from the numerous palatial mansions built all over the city. Unlike many north Indian cities, whose construction stresses minimalism, the layout of much of the architectural variety in Kolkata owes its origins to European styles and tastes imported by the British and, to a much lesser extent, the Portuguese and French. The buildings were designed and inspired by the tastes of the English gentleman around and the aspiring Bengali Babu (literally, a nouveau riche Bengali who aspired to cultivation of English etiquette, manners and custom, as such practices were favourable to monetary gains from the British). Today, many of these structures are in various stages of decay. Some of the major buildings of this period are well maintained and several buildings have been declared as heritage structures.

Weather

Winter, which lasts about three months, is mild over the plains, the average minimum temperature not falling 15o C. The weather gets warmer by the middle February, which heralds a brief spring season lasting about a month and is followed summer comes in full blast with the coming of April. The monsoon arrives by a middle of June and lasts generally till end of the August.

Tourism

Breathtaking Beaches, Wildlife (is the home to the World Heritage Site – Sunderbans), Hill Stations ( West Benngal is the gateway to the Eastern Himalaya), Heritage Sites, Sports and adventure opportunities, Fairs and Festivals ... West Bengal offers its tourists more than expected!

Places of Tourist Interest

Darjeeling : Darjeeling is one of the most magnificent hill resorts in the world. A land of breathtaking beauty crowned by the majestic Himalayas, Darjeeling conjures visions of serenity and vibrant green hills steeped in splendour. The traveller - whether a tourist or a trekker, an ornithologist or a photographer, a botanist or an artist - will find in Darjeeling an experience which will remain etched in ones memory - forever.

Siliguri : Siliguri may called the Gateway of Eastern India as it is the main transit point for going to Darjeeling hill region, Sikkim, Bhutan, Eastern Nepal and Assam. It is the biggest town in North Bengal and is a fast developing one. The places of tourist interest in and around Siliguri are Jaldapara, Mahananda Weir Sukna, Kalijhora and Mirik.

Kalimpong : Kalimpong is a beautiful hill town in North Bengal, which can be reached from either Siliguri or Darjeeling. Situated at an altitude of 1250 metres, it enjoys temperate climate throughout the year. Somewhat secluded and tucked away in the corner under big Darjeeling umbrella, Kalimpong offers a quiet and relaxed holiday, against the backdrop of the Kanchenjunga.

Digha : The beach town of Digha is famous all over for flat, hard beaches. The beauty of this place was discovered as early as the days of Warren Hastings.

Kolkata : Kolkata is the gateway to Eastern India. A city with a rich heritage, bustling streets and bewildering variety of facets. From October to March, Kolkata wears a radiant look. Sunshine, mild winter, lights, colours, fairs, festivals, galas and excursions, the mood is infectious and spirit sweeping.

The other popular cities of West Bengal are Sunderbans, Dooars, Kurseong, Jaldapara and Mirik.

Notable site of West Bengal

Cooch Behar · Cooch Behar · Darjeeling · Kalimpong · Kurseong · Dooars · Digha · Bishnupur · Mukutmanipur · Ayodhya Hills · Murshidabad · Kolkata.

Places of Worship

Dakshineswar Kali Temple · Kalighat Temple · Birla temple · Belur Math · Bhoothnath · Tipu Sultan Mosque · Nakhoda Mosque · St. Paul’s Cathedral · St. John's Church · Parsi Fire Temples · Japanese Buddhist Temple · Pareshnath Jain Temple

Festivals & Events

Bengal is knowns for year long festivals and fairs. Come autumn, the air is rent with the sound of drums, the season of festivals

.

The Durga Puja, followed by Id and then, Dewali, the Festival of Lights. In November-December Rasajatra is and Navanna, the festival of harvest is celebrated. Winter is the time for Christmas. The Ganga Sagar Mela which draws lakhs of devotees from all parts of India is also organized during this period. Winter is also the season of cultural events like the Poush Mela in Santiniketan and Joydev Mela, the festival of wandering minstrels at Kenduli.

Saraswati Puja (Goddess of Learning) is celebrated in almost all Bengalee home in January-February. Holi, the festival of colours is celebrated in spring. To celebrate Shivaratri, fairs at Jalpesh in Jalpaiguri and Tarakeswar in Hooghly are organized.. In April the most important festival is Charak; the fair at Tarakeswar attracts large number of devotees.

Poila Baishakh the Bengali New Year is celebrated in April. Another important event in the month of May is Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s Birthday.

The largest Bengali festival is Durga Puja, held in the Bengali month of Aswin (October). Images of the ten-armed goddess are worshipped in ancient houses and at pandals, erected specially for the Puja. After the four-day ceremony, the images are immersed in the river. Durgapuja is the most important festival in the city of Calcutta. The festival that follows is Deepavali, the festival of lights,. The worship of goddess Kali is marked by display of fireworks and crackers.

Gangasagar Mela, Kenduli Mela, Jalpesh Mela, Vasanta Utsav, Naba Barsho, Rathayatra, Jhapan, Bera Utsav, Rash Mela,
Jagaddhatri Puja, Teesta Tea & Tourism Festival, Poush Mela, Vishnupur Festival are immensely popular festival. Apart from the above, some other popular fairs and festivals of West Bengal are Rathajatra, Book Fairs, Classical Music, Dance and Drama festivals, Film Festivals and more!

When to Go

The best time to visit West Bengal is October to March.

Interesting Fact

Shantiniketan - a school in the traditional gurukul system founded by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore in 1901. Tagore’s vision was a world where man exists in perfect harmony with nature. Shantiniketan – the abode of peace- is a fruition of this vision.

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