West Bengal

Page : 1 2

Kolkata, a city with a fabled past and spell binding present, the enigma that is for every

individual to uncover. The legacy trail winds alongside the bustling streets to divulge a treasure trove of antiques, architecture, music , festivals and fairs, soccer matches, religious festivals, a political demonstration, music, art, poetry, eating or adda (chat session), quiet evenings on a boat and much more. Places for sightseeing here in the city includes Raj Bhawan, the residence of the Governor of Bengal; Victoria Memorial, the city’s landmark; Botanical Gardens, which is noteworthy for the oldest banyan tree, orchid house, Armenian Church; Marble Palace, one family’s collection of memorabilia; and the Birla Planetarium.

Darjeeling, popularly known as the Queen of the Hills, is the jewel in the crown of the Eastern Himalayas and is the perfect destination for nature lovers, trekkers and holidayers. Famous for tea and tea gardens, for breathtaking valleys and scenery, Darjeeling also boasts of the quaintest toy train in India.

Kalimpong is a quieter destination, fabled for orchids, rarest cacti and nurseries. Kurseong the hill station en route to Darjeeling is an attractive spot with an excellent view of the Kanchenjunga ranges and the valleys below.

Kolkata - Calcutta

Kolkata is the largest metropolis and is the Gateway to Eastern India. It is the intellectual and cultural capital of India and has a lot for the tourist to explore. Summers are extremely hot and humidity is high, while winters are pleasant with temperatures dropping to 10°C.

Getting there:

Air: India Airlines connect Calcutta with Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Port Blair, Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Patna, Lucknow, Tezpur, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Silchar, Imphal, Bagdogra, Agartala, Bangalore, Vishakhapatnam (Vizag), Guwahati, Dimapur, Hyderabad and Car-Nicobar.

Rail:Howrah and Sealdah, two main railway stations are there in Calcutta. Calcutta is connected by rail to most of the important places in India.

Road:Good motorable roads connect Calcutta to all the major cities in India. Some of these are: Puri-560 kms, Bhubaneshwar-498 kms, Siliguri-000 kms, Darjeeling-678 kms, Krishnanagar-000 kms, Baharampur-000 kms, Patna-547 kms, Ranchi-000 kms, Alahabad-000 kms, Kanpur-000 kms, Lucknow-000 kms, Haridwar-1586 kms, Varanasi-681 kms, Bombay-2060 kms, Delhi-1490 kms, Chennai-0000 kms.

Local Transport:

Metered Taxis, Cycle & Man-pulling rickshaws, city buses, Trams, Electric Trains & Metro rail services are available.

Hotels

Deluxe - Taj Bengal, The Oberoi Grand. Standard – Park Hotel, Airport Ashok, Hotel Hindustan International. New Kenilworth International, Ruttdeen, Lytton, Astor. Budget – Astoria, Minerva, Swagat, Carlton, The Samilton, Host International, Shalimar, Udaychal Tourist Lodge, YMCA, YWCA.

Places of interest

Belur Math 16.5 km
Botanical Garden 19.2 km
Dakshineshwar Temple 20 km
Howarh Bridge 6.4 km
Jain Temple 9 km
Kali Temple 3.2 km
Marble Palace 6.8 km
Nakhoda Mosque 6 km
National Library 1.4 km
Rabindra Sarobar 4.2 km
Raj Bhavan 3 km
Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture 5 km
Sahid Minar (Ochterlony Monument)
St.Paul's Cathedral, Victoria Memorial 0.5 km
Zoological Gardens 3 km

Museums and Art Galleries

Academy of Fine Arts, Tel: 248-4302; Asutosh Museum, Tel: 34-7472;
Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Tel: 76-6802;
Birla Industrial & Technological Museum, Tel: 247-7341;
Birla Planetarium, Tel: 242-1554/-6619;
Gurusaday Museum; Indian Museum, Tel: 29-9902;
Nehru Children's Museum, Tel: 248-3517;
Rabindra Bharati Museum, Tel: 34-5241;
State Archaeological Gallery, Tel: 243-6636;
Victoria Memorial Hall Museum, Tel: 248-5142

Excursions

Digha Beach 185 kms
Santiniketan 213 kms
Bakkhali Beach 132 kms
Chandannagar 39 kms
Diamond Harbour 51 kms
Sundarban 131 kms
Tribani 48 kms
Gangasagar 140 kms
Malda 340 kms
Kalna 82 kms
Navadweep 110 kms
Mayapur 134 kms
Murshidabad 221 kms
Vishnupur: 152 kms. Famous for the exquisite 17th & 18th century terracotta temples, Seat of classical music. The Stylised, "Bankura horse" symbolic of excellence in rural handicrafts is native to this district.
Belur Math (16 km) is a modern temple within the grounds of the Ramakrishna Mission.
Dakshineshwar Temple (20 km) dedicated to Kali is built in the architectural style of Bengal.
Botanical Gardens (8 km) cover 110 hectares and have a number of rare plants, including a 200 year old banyan tree.
Murshidabad (221 km) centre of Bengal’s silk industry and the residence of the erstwhile nawab of Bengal.
Shantiniketan (167km) now a university, founded by the Nobel literature laureate, Rabindranath Tagore.

Sunderbans

Situated on the lower end of the Gangetic West Bengal, the Sunderbans are spread over the world’s largest delta covered by the rarest mangrove forest and vast saline muddy soil. This is a land cris- crossed by innumerable tributaries and branches of the River Hooghly, with creeks all over. The forest is home to the internationally famous Royal Bengal Tiger, to a large variety of fauna including the King Cobra, lizards, pythons, deer, crocodile, fishing eagle, giant turtle, olive ridley, easter knot etc.

Entry Permit:

To visit Tiger Project area including Sajnekhali Bird Sanctuary permission is to obtained from:
The Joint Secretary (Forest), Govt. of West Bengal, 4th Floor, G-Block, Writers' Building, Calcutta- 700 001, Tel: "225-5601 Extn 411/754.

Getting there:

Air: Nearest airport is Calcutta (131 kms). Indian Airlines connect Calcutta with the all major cities in India.

Rail: Sunderbans is accessible only by riverine waterways. From Calcutta there are suburban train to Canning and buses to Namkhana, Raidighi, Sonakhali and Najat from where Motor launch services re available for Sundarbans.

Road: Above mentioned embarkation points from Calcutta are: Namkhana (105 km), Sonakhali (100 km), Raidighi (76 km), Canning (64 km), Najat (92 km)

Waterways: Approximate time taken between various points are:
1 From Namkhana - Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project (2.5 hours) Sagar Island (2.5 hours) Jambudwip (3.5 hours). 2 From Sajnekhali - Sudhanyakhali (40 minutes) Buridabri (Tiger Project Area) (5 hours) Netidhopari (3.5 hours) Holiday Island (3 hours) 3. From Sonakhali - Gosaba (1 hour) 4. From Raidighi - Kalas (5 hours)

For Private Launches Contact: West Bengal Launch Owners' Syndicate, Calcutta

Jaldapara Sancturary

Jaldapara Wild Life Sanctuary situated in Alipurduar Sub-Division of Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal offers memorable elephant rides through the rhino and tiger forests. Jaldapara Wild Life Sanctuary is the habitat of the rare one- horned rhinoceros, the mighty bison, the spotted deer, the barking deer, sambar, hog deer, reptiles, huge wild tuskers, wild boars and the rarest variety of animals and birds including the peacocks.

Getting there:

Air: Bagdogra is the nearest airport from where tourist can reach Jaldapara by road-route, noted below. (Siliguri to Bagdogra - 13 kms).

Rail: All the mail & express trains stop at Birpara / Hasimara railway stations both are 20 kms away from the sanctuary. Only passenger trains stop at Madarihat railway station which is 7 kms away from the sanctuary. Madarihat Tourist Lodge is in walk able distance from the Railway Station.

Road: Jaldapara is connected by road with Darjeeling and Siliguri.

Excursions

Local Excursions may be arranged to visit tea gardens to see the manufacturing of tea in the nearby tea gardens by prior arrangement with the authority. Anthropological excursion in nearby Tribal village, TOTOPARA, can be arranged.

Bakkhali

The second popular sea resort of West Bengal is Bakkhali, situated only 132 km away from Kolkata. It is quiet and fascinating.

Transport

A three hour bus journey from Kolkata to Namkhana, a ferry across the river Hatania Doania, and another bus journey for one and half hour to Bakkhali Between Kolkata and Namkhana there are CSTC buses as well as private bus.

There is also a train service from Sealdah station upto Diamond Harbour Namkhana is 58 km from Diamond Harbour.

How to Reach

Kumardhubi (10kms.) and Barakar (12kms.) are the nearest railway stations. Asansol Junction is about 35 kms .fro, here. Regular bus services are available from Dhanbad and Maithon to this place. Taxies are also available. Dhanbad is 50 kms from here.

Shantiniketan

In 1901, a school in the traditional gurukul system was founded here by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Born into the famous Tagore family, he had a vision of a world where humanity would be in perfect harmony with nature. Shantiniketan (abode of peace) is the fruition of that vision.

The Visva Bharati University at Shantiniketan, 2 kms from the nearest railway station Bolpur, is now a centre of international studies and culture. Another interesting feature about Santiniketan is that splendid sculptures, frescoes, murals and paintings of Rabindranath, Nandlal Bose, Ramkinkar, Bindobehari Mukhopadhyaya and others adorn the campus. The University remains closed in May-June and for one month during the Puja Holidays i.e. September-October.

Getting there:

Air: The nearest airport is Kolkata 213 kms.

Rail: The nearest railhead is Bolpur, 2 km away. Trains connecting Bolpur with Howrah/Sealdah (Kolkata) are 3015/3016 Howrah-Bolpur Shantiniketan Exp, 3133/3134 Sealdah-Mughalsarai Exp, 3071/3072 Howrah-Jamalpur Exp, 2557/ 2558 Kanchenjunga Exp., 335/336 Vishwabharati Fast Pgr., Shantiniketan Exp., Danapur Fast Pgr. and Tarapith Passenger.

Road: Good motorable roads connect Shantiniketan with Calcutta 213 kms (Bolpur 2-Panagarh 44-Burdwan 48-Calcutta 119), Durgapur 56 kms, Sarnath 197 kms

Local Transport: Tourist cars and buses available from the Manager, Tourist Lodge. Charges are according to distance and time.

What to see

Shantiniketan is a University town and a centre of learning. The Uttarayan complex where the poet lived consists of several buildings such as Udayana. Konark, Shyamali, Punascha and Udichi which reflect the architectural genius of the poet's illustrious son the late Rathindranath Tagore. In addition there are Kala Bhavan (College of Fine Arts and Crafts). Sangit Bhavan (College of Music and Dance), Vidya Bhavan (College of Humanities), Siksha-Bhavan (College of Science) and Vinaya Bhavan (Teacher's Training College), Cheena Bhavan and Hindi Bhavan. The Shantiniketan campus of Viswa Bharati has grown up to be a centre for learning with a bias towards art, music and humanities. At Shriniketan, mainly a Centre for Rural Service and Studies (Palli Samgathan Bibhaga), there is a college of Agriculture (Palli Siksha Sadan) as well.

The Places of interest are mainly on the campus and have a distinctive feature of some of the best in Indian art and culture.

China Bhavan: The Chinese Faculty.
Chhatimtala: Here Maharshi Devendranath, the father of Rabindranath Tagore, used to meditate. Prayers are held usually at Convocation time. Successful graduates of the Vishwa Bharati University are presented a branch of five leaves each from the Saptaparni trees which abound in the area.
Kala Bhavan: The College of Fine Arts & Crafts has an museum exhibiting sculptures, frescoes & murals and a library of art books.
Patha Bhavan: Now a secondary school, it is of particular interest as an example of the traditional `Brahmacharya Ashram'.
Prayer Hall: Founded by the poet's father in 1863, the hall is made of glass. Prayers are held on Wednesday.
Bichitra: Also called Rabindra Bhavan, a Research Centre and Museum where the poet's personal belongings, paintings & various editions of his works are exhibited.
Sangeet Bhavan: College of Dance and Music. The University is replete with works on Art, Music and the Humanities.
Uttarayan Complex: The poet lived and worked in the Northern Complex consisting of several buildings as: Udayana, Konarka, Shyamali, Punascha and Udichi. The Bichitra ( or, Rabindra Bhavan ) designed by the poet's son Rathindranath Tagore.

N O T E: PHOTOGRAPHY IS NOT PERMITTED.

Museums and Art Galleries

Kala Bhavan, Bichitra (Rabindra Bhavan).

Parks and Gardens

Deer Park: Near Sriniketan, 3 kms from Shantiniketan. Originally, the area was a fast eroding `Khowai'. It is now a large wooded area with herds of deer and makes a natural bird sanctuary.
Uttarayan Gardens: University Campus

Excursions

Fullora (40 kms)
Nalhati (104 kms)
Kankalitala (7 kms)
Bakreshwar (58 kms): Nearest railway station Dubrajpur 12 kms. WBTDC Tourist Lodges & PWD Inspection Bungalows available
Massanjore (78 kms): Mayurakshi Bhavan, Youth Hostel available to stay there.
Kendubilwa (42 kms): Buses ply from Bolpur railway station. Buses also ply or Kenduli from Calcutta for tourists.
Nanoor (23 kms): Birthplace of the Vaisnava poet,Chandidas (14th century). Buses ply from Bolpur railway station. Travet Sng time: one hour.
Tarapith (80 kms): One can reach Tarapith firstly from Bolpur to Rampurhat by train or bus and then 5 kms by bus or cycle rickshaw. Ramkanai Dharamshala a number of hotels are there.

Shopping

Grameen (Bolpur)
Sarvodaya Ashram (Bolpur) (Handicrafts & handlooms)
Vishwa Bharati Shilpa Sadan (Shantiniketan)
Shantiniketan Co-operative Stores (Shantiniketan).

Festivals

Maghotsava (February)
It marks the anniversary of the Brahmo Samaj and the Founding of Shriniketan.
Vasanta Utsava (March)
It coincides with Holi. The students, in colourful dress, dance their way i nto the Mango Grove. Here an open air variety programme is staged.
Varsha Mangagal (Jul-Aug)
Cultural shows are held and a tree planting ceremony preceded by Halokarshan (ploughing).
Sharadotsava (Oct-Nov)
An autumnal festival of song and dance before the University closes for the Puja holidays.
Paush Utsava (December)
The Calendar year comes to a close with a colourful fair marking the foundation day. Tribal dances (Santhali) & Baul singers are a part of the fair. Tribal crafts in silver and Dhokra metalware are popular with visitors.

Page : 1 2