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Calcutta, three hundred years old,
traces its history to the landing of Robert Clive on the banks of the
Hooghly beside three villages. It was from here the monumental British
Raj was launched in India. The capital of West Bengal, Calcutta is the
major entry point. If Delhi is the elegant capital of the nation, and Bombay its major industrial city, then Calcutta ranks as the intellectual capital. Poets, thinkers and film directors of international renown hail from this city where avant garde plays and art exhibitions go on show practically every day of the year. Calcutta was the first headquarters of the East India Company, and some of its best known monuments were built by this British trading house. However, the city has, within its 300 years’ history, hosted other communities both from other parts of India as well as abroad - Chinese, Armenians, Jews - all of whom have left their imprint in pockets of Calcutta. Sightseeing in this fascinating city includes Raj Bhawan, the residence of the Governor of Bengal; Victoria Memorial, the city’s landmark; Botanical Gardens, which are notable for the oldest banyan tree, and orchid house; Armenian Church; Marble Palace, one family’s collection of memorabilia; and the Birla Planetarium. Darjeeling, the state’s most popular hill resort, is a slice of England 2,134 metres above sea level. Surrounded by tea gardens growing the prized leaf known as Darjeeling, the little town faces some of the Himalaya’s highest peaks. Darjeeling is an abrupt variation from the lowlands of West Bengal. Buddhism, being a major faith here, Darjeeling and the nearby town of Kalimpong have, between them, several Buddhist monasteries, chiefly of the Yellow Hat sect. |
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Terracotta, metalware & temples characterise 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 modelled on the pattern of Bengali huts built of bamboo & mud and roofed with thatch. Vishnupur will remain ever famous for its distinct style of music, i.e. the Vishnupur Gharana, if not anything else. The name of Jadu Bhatt, the music teacher to Rabindranath Tagore, is remembered with respect to this day.
A discerning visitor may
find traces of the past splendour and glory thatwas Vishnupur in its
superb temples and unique handicrafts. GENERAL INFORMATION :
Area :
20.6 sq.km. HOW TO GET THERE
WHAT TO SEE
Ras Mancha (3 kms), Dalmadal Cannon,
Jor Bangla Temple (5 kms), Madan Mohan Temple (5 kms), Malleswar
Temple (6 kms), Lalji Temple, Mrinmoyee Mandir (3 kms), Shyam Rai
Temple (7 kms), Malla King's Fort (3.5 kms), Jogesh Chandra Pura Kirti
Bhavan Museum (Timmings 1000 to 1200 & 1400 to 1800 hours). EXCURSIONS Jairambati & Kamarpukur: 43 kms and 48 kms respectively. These two places are associated with Shri Ramakrishna and his consort Shri Maa Sarada. Ruins of the historic Garh Mandaran fort are a few kilometres from Kamarpukur. Mukutmanipur: 82 kms. A dam has ben constructed across the rivers Kangsabati and Kumari. A picturesque spot for a quiet holiday. Bahulara: 25 kms. The Siddheswar Shiva Temple of Bahulara is well known for its unique architectural style and exquisite ornamentation of the temple walls. The Shaileswar Temple of Dihar, 8 kms from Vishnupur, is also an old temple. Panchmura: 21 kms. Famous for the terracota Bankura Horse, a folk artefact and now the national symbol for Indian handicrafts.
Susunia Hills: 50 kms. The famous
rock inscription of Chandavarma can be seen on the walls of a cave and
dates back to the 4th century AD. Susunia is connected to Bankura town
by bus. Delightful holiday resort in winter. Also, a centre for rock
climbing & trekking. FESTIVALS
Jhapan (Shravana Sankranti/Mid-August):
WHERE TO BUY The local handicrafts of Vishnupur include silk, tussar silk, conch shell wares & bell metal wares. No less important from the point of view of popular taste are the fine sweetmeats and flavoured tobacco of Vishnupur. Vishnupur is also famous for terracotta folk toys like the Bankura (rather Panchmura) horse and clay dolls. Vishnupur Silks are among the finest in the world.
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Darjeeling is nestied in a setting of
Kanchenjunga and Mount Everest, Tibetan Monasteries, Himalayan Tribal
Life, Pine Trees etc. Which make her qualify as the queen of the hill
stations. GENERAL INFORMATION :
Altitude
: 2134 Metres. TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION
WHAT TO SEE
Tiger Hill- 11 kms. 8482 ft./2590
mtrs; Ghoom Monastery- 8 kms; Batasia Loop- 5 kms; Himalayan
Mountaineering Institute- 2 kms. 0830-1300 & 1400-1630 hours;
Himalayan Zoological Park; Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Passenger
Ropeway- 8 kmslong ropeway. Fare: Rs.25 return journey; Tibetan
Refugees Centre; Lebong Race Course; Natural History Museum- 1000-1600
hrs; Happy Valley Tea Estate- 3 kms; Lloyds Botanical Garden-
0600-1700 hours; Observatory Hill; Dhirdham Temple; Senchal Lake- 10
kms. EXCURSIONS
Warden,Youth
Hostel,Darjeeling organises regular Trekking Tours during season. TOURIST INFORMATION
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Gangasagar Mela, the largest fair in
west Bengal held near the confluence of the Ganga and the Bay of
Bengal ,draws millions of piligrams from all over India. They come for
a holy dip on Makar Sankranti(last day of the Bengali Month) Negha
-Mid January )and after their obligations at the Kapilmuni Temple
nearby. Transport From Calcutta to Namkhana by bus (105)kms.Namkhana to Chemaguri by launch across the river Muriganga from Chamaguri to Gangasagar by bus (10kms.) One may cross the Muriganga from Herwood Point (lot no. 8) near Kakdip to Kaachubrie also.Kakdwip is 85 kms. from lot No. ',to Kachuberia and bus service from Kechuberia to Gangasagar(30kms) |
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Area : HOW TO GET THERE
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A place of great
historical importance. Here in the year 1757 a battle was fought
between the British and the last Nawab of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
Clive the British Chief defeated Nawab - Siraj-ud-daula by unfairmeans.
Siraj-ud-dula was killed and Mirzaffar became the Nawab. The historic
battle field is till preserved. A memorial was erected by Lord Curzon
at the mango groves where the actual battle took place. How To Get There : Plassey : Situated at a distance of 172 kms. from Calcutta and 43 kms from Bahrampore on National Highway No. 34. It is a railway station on Eastern Railway. The battle field is 5 kms. from Rly. Station. (Sealdah-Lalgoleh line). Bus from Calcutta, Krishnagar, Bahrampore etc. Taxis and Cycle Rickshaws are available from Bahrampore. |
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Situated at an altitude of 2458
metres (4860 feet), Kurseong is 51 kms from Shiliguri and 30 kms from
Darjeeling. The word Kurseong means the place of White Orchid.
Beacause of its lower elevation, Kurseong enjoys a milder and very
healthy climate throughout the year.
Kurseong means the places of White
Orchid. Because of its lower elevation, Kurseong enjoys a milder and
very healthy climate throughout the year. GENERAL INFORMATION
Altitude
: 4860 feet (2458 metres). TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION
PLACES OF INTEREST Eagle's Crag- 1 km; Deer Park- 4 kms; Forest Museum; Giddhapahar Mandir- 2 km; Ambotika Shiv Mandir- 5 kms; Makaibari Tea Estate-4 kms; St.Mary's Hill- 4 km; Dowhill; Baggaura; Chimney; Kettle Valley Picnic Spot; Namsu; Netaji Kothi. Walks & Treks in Kurseong
TOURIST INFORMATION
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Just 51 kms east of Darjeeling is
situated the picturesque town of Kalimpong, the former headquarters of
the Bhutanese Governor. Situited at an altitude of 1250 metres between
the Deolo and Durbindra Hills, Kalimpong is an ideal place for a quiet
holiday amidst gently rolling hills and deep valleys at the foot of
the mighty Himalayas. GENERAL INFORMATION
Altitude
: 1250 metres. TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION
WHAT TO SEE Durpin Dara; Flower Nursaries (Shri Ganeshmoni Pradhan Nursary, Standari Nursary, Shri L.B.Pradhan Nursary etc.); Gouripur House- 2 kms; Swiss Welfare Dairy- 4 kms; Tibetan Monastery. |
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Durgapur projects an image of an
industrialised India. It is the third integrated steel plant of
Hindustan Steel Limited and occupies an area of 6.47 sq. kms. Founded
under the Colombo Plan Mission which visited India in April, 1955, the
plant has been instrumental in changing the rural face of Durgapur
into a vast industrial complex comprising public and private sectors. GENERAL INFORMATION
Area :
41 sq.kms. HOW TO GET THERE
CONDUCTED TOUR
Guide Service for visits to the Steel
Plant available from the public Relation Officer, Durgapur Steel
Plant, Tel: 3611 (Extn. 315). Free of charge. WHAT TO SEE (Distances are from the railway station)
Alloy Steel Project (10 kms), Mining
and Allied Machinery Corporation (6 kms), Durgapur Coke Ovens Project
Limited (6 kms), A.V.B. (6 kms), Durgapur Barrage (3 kms), Durgapur
Steel Plant (10 kms), Philips Carbon Black & Sankey Wheels. PARKS AND GARDENS
Park in `A' Zone and Bel Park in `B'
Zone, Steel Township. EXCURSIONS Asansol : 42 kms. Connected with Durgapur by train and bus. Chittranjan : 77 kms. Connected with Durgapur by train and bus. Jaidev: 22 kms. The birthplace of the famous Bengali Vaishnava poet Jaidev. Regular bus service available upto Ajoy river from where the river can be corssed on foot. Ferry service across the river is available during the monsoons. A fair is held during the first half of January which lasts from 10 to 15 days. Shantiniketan : 61 kms. International University Founded by Rabindranath Tagore
Vishnupur : 72 kms.
Ancient-city reputed for temples and terracotta sculpture. TOURIST INFORMATION
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Beach-on-the-bay of West
Bengal, Digha, has the whispery, languid, soft-focus, charm which is
so graciously bengali : sighing casuarinas, ponies nodding on the
beach, prolonged meals in the flavoursome sweet-&-salt idiom of the
state and timeless days and nights of nothing to do but unwind and
find yourself. Transport and Communication
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Buxa Tiger Reserve was set
up in the year of 1982-83 at the north eastern corner of West Bengal
bordering Bhutan and Assam. This picturesque reserve with its proigous
Terai, Bhabar as well as Hilly landscape, is desected by numorous
revulets. Its delared a National Park in January 1992.
The varitable flora and fauna of
these wet forests having an annual downpour exceeding 5000 mm,
attracts tourists and nature lovers every year. This part of the
country is characterised by its high degree of plant & animal
bio-diversity where 60% species are endemic to the area. The Generic
diversity of mammals is second highest among all the tiger reserves of
India. Astonishing bio-diversity of animals comprise of a reach
avifauna of more than 230 identified species, 67 mammals (out of which
21 are endangered), 36 species of reptiles (10 numbers are
endangered). Apart from Bengal Tiger the flagship species, there are
plenty of Leopard, Fishing Cat, Leopard Cat, Jungle Cat, Indian Civet,
Palm Civet, Wild Dogs, Malayan Gaint Squirrels, Mangooses, Asian
Elephant, Gaur, Small Clawes Otter, Chital, Sambar, Barking Deer, Hog
Deer, Wild Buffalo, 3 varieties of Pythons, Monitor Lizard and a host
of land tortoises. A number of animals like Chinese Pangolin. Regal
Python (reticulate) Clouded Leopard are endemic to the region. The Avifauna is rich in both endemic as well as migratory species. The swift rivers of Rydak and Jainti are visited by Trans Himalayan Migratory Goosanders, the beautiful Ibis Bill, resident Fork-tails, varieties of Red-stars, Wag-tails, the Narathali Lake is visited by migratory Common Teal, Gargani Teal, Large Whistling Teal, White Eyed Poachared etc. The Hornbills including greater Pied Hornbill abound the area. One of the rarest bird of India the Black-necked Crane has been sighted in the Reserve during the early winter. The migratory beautiful Black Stork is a visitor of the area. The monsoon ends and beautiful Minivets, Sultan tits arrive, during summer rare Ashyminivet is also sighted. |
Information
provided by
Department of Tourism. Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
Government of India. |
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