DARJEELING
A
small town situated in the northern part of the state of West
Bengal, provides the perfect ambience of a hill resort with
its mild climate and laid back charm. Its verdant hills and
valleys are steeped in colour, and are interspersed with vast
stretches of lush green tea gardens. Perching over at 8586
metres, Mt. Khanchenjunga is looming over the northern ho
riz on. This small hill station, built in a crescent shaped
ridge, was a part of princely state of Sikkim, and was invaded
time and again by Bhutanese and the Nepalese. The East India
Company freed the place from invaders and received the place
as a gift from the ruler of Sikkim in 1835 A.D. this place
was popularised as a health resort of the British Army during
the days of the Raj (Colonial Rule).Darjeeling lies at an
altitude of 2,134 metres. Mostly considered as “THE
QUEEN OF HILLS”, is the jewel in the crown
of the East Himalayas. A land blessed with innumerable bounties
of nature, which made the place an avid destination for nature
lovers, trekkers and holidayers . The famous tea gardens,
Toy train , which has been awarded Heritage Status, by the
UNESCO. Lebong the highest race course in this world, the
numerous Buddhist Monasteries and Temples
make the place, very unique as a hill station. The
Tiger Hill , famous for its spectacular sunrise view,
is situated at an altitude of 2,573 metres. Ghoom , the highest
railway station in the world, situated at an altitude of 2,247
metres, is just about 8 kms from Darjeeling. Sojourn to the
famous trekking route of the Eastern Himalayan region, SANDAKPHU
at an altitude of 3636 metres and PHALUT
, 3583 metres begins from Darjeeling. The Singalila
National Park, famous for its famous Rhododendrons,
falls on the trekking route. A glimpse of the Himalayan village
people and their culture can be experienced, in every single
day.
Around
Darjeeling
Mirik,
locally known as “Burnt Hill” is a pleasant hill
station situated at an altitude of 1,767 metres in the Darjeeling
hills. The place has a very calming atmosphere and is an ideal
place for excursionists. The place is blessed with the largest
man made lake of Darjeeling Hills, India. The lake known as
Lake Sumendu , and is 1.25 kms long. There
is also a Monastery situated on the top of a valley. The orange
orchards & cardamom plantation around the valley makes
the atmosphere soothing for the visitors.
Kurseong
lies en-route to Darjeeling at an elevation of 1475 metres.
This small valley is famous form calm and cool atmosphere.
The place had become famous for its Forest Rangers Training
College.
KALIMPONG
A
calm & quiet hill station situated at an altitude of 1,250
metres is to the east of Darjeeling Town. This small hill
station is scattered over an area of 10.6 sq. km. Nestling
in the lush green mid ranges of the Himalayas, this hill station
of "the Raj", has an incredible stunning backdrop
of towering snow capped peaks. This exotic town of beautiful
people, mystical and enchanting, with a rare ethnic blend
of hill people, has a tradition of hospitality from the days
of the mule caravans of old. It was ruled by Bhutan for 155
years, and was annexed by the British only in 1865 after Anglo-Bhutan
war, after which it flourished as a centre of wool trade with
Tibet. In 1916, Kalimpong became a part of Darjeeling .The
place is famous for its Monasteries, orchids and flower nurseries.
Around
Kalimpong
Lava, a
small Himalayan village, situated at a height of 1,551 metres
and at a distance of 32km from Kalimpong remains hidden in
the mist and cloud almost throughout the year . The Neora
Valley National Park in the backdrop makes the place
more interesting. The place is the house of Himalayan Medicinal
Plants.
Loleygaon,
a village under social development scheme lies at a distance
of 24 km from Lava. The place is reachable along the serpentine
slopes adorned with towering Dhupi & Cypress forests.
The beautiful sunset from Jhandidara and a gentle walk amidst
the Heritage Forest, will soak your soul in the nature.
Rishap,
a virgin paradise on the lap of Himalaya, perching at an altitude
of 2576m, is 10km drive from Lava. The land can be reached
by a gentle trek of 4km through pine and spruce tree. The
place gives a 360 degree view of the Eastern Himalayan range.
Bindu, the
last hamlet of West Bengal, situated on the bank of river
Jaldhaka. The valley is encircled by the hills of Bhutan and
India, gives a rare glimpse of the natural beauty all over
the valley.
DOOARS
To the North stand the Eastern
Himalayas , as a natural backdrop. A vast texture of dense
forests teeming with wild, unending tea gardens, babbling
rivers, interspersed with sleepy or busy settlements, constitute
a fascinating tourist destination--the Dooars , where nature
has kept her doors wide open. Derived from the word ‘door',
the Dooars Valley also forms a gateway to the Hill Stations
of North Bengal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Assam and the entire North
East. The valley stretches across a vast span of 5,200 sq
km. The unending stretches of virgin forests interwoven with
innumerable tea gardens in criss-crossed by Teesta, Jaldhaka,
Torsha & Sankosh rivers and their innumerable tributaries
tottering and rolling down from the hills. The Dooars valley
is specially noted for its Jaldapara Wild Life Sanctuaries
and Gorumara National Park . These forests are abounding in
fascinating diversity of Flora & Faunas. Varieties of
rare plants & orchids are resounded with echoes of birds
and wild animals make it a veritable paradise for lovers of
Nature & Eco tourism.
COOCHBEHAR
The one of the planned modern
town of India after Jaipur is the cultural center of North
Bengal. The town still now represents the old flavour of erstwhile
princely state of Coochbehar. The Palace built as a replica
of Berkingham Palace of England , is the resemblance the might
& authority of the prince of the state. The town has also
several temples of them the Madanmohan Temple dedicated to
Lord Krishna, symbolizes love and oneness. The Sagardighi
is also a place that has added to the charm of the town.
SUNDERBANS
The largest mangrove forest
of the world is the paradise of the lovers of Nature and Eco-Tourism.
The region got its name from SUNDARI trees. The mangrove forests
is the home of world famous Royal Bengal Tiger. Deltic crocodiles,
dolphins, olive ridley, checkered killback, gangetic gharial,
giant turtle and avifauna population which consists several
migratory birds, heron, egret, cormorant, sandpiper, curlew
and many more. Situated on the lower tip of the Gangetic West
Bengal, Sunderbans comprises of 54 tiny islands, criss-crossed
by innumerable tributaries of River Ganga and creeks and backwaters.
The total area of 9630sq.km is the paradise of Honey seekers,
prawn and crab catchers and fishermen. Sunderbans has been
declared as a biosphere reserve and awarded world heritage
status, by UNESCO in 1997.
SHANTINEKATAN
With palm tree setting land
of red soils, a place of cultural pride of Bengal , on a rural
setting with a fond memory of Rabindranath Tagore, Shantiniketan
is a land of art & literature. This place forms a part
of Birbhum District of West Bengal . One can see the reminiscence
of Rabindranath's work scattered all over the nooks and corners
of Shantiniketan. One will be enthralled to see the various
collections of Rabindranath's used items in the Museum. The
famous Chatim Tree on the compound of the Pathabhavan takes
one through the time tunnel to the days when Rabindranath
first visited the place, with his father Maharshi Debendranath
Tagore. The Shishmahal (House of Glass) is the place where
the Prayers are held. The collection of Banyan trees at a
corner of the compound is equally famous for the Teen Pahar
(Hill), it is the place where Rabindranath's famous poem “Kumor
parar garur gari” a famous rhyme was written. Apart
from that from that we also saw the age old Bell at Ghanti
Ghar. Sriniketan and Amar Kutir on the outskirts of Shantiniketan,
is worth visiting. These places will give one an idea of the
rural Bengal . Shantiniketan is a place of cultural bounties,
various village melas (fair), cultural festivals, rituals
are very common in this place
Around
Shantiniketan
Bakreswar:
Famous for hot water spring and temples, lies at a distance
of around 50Km from Shantiniketan.
KOLKATA
The erstwhile Calcutta or
Dominique Lapiers “ City of Joy ” is believed
to have formed out of 3 villages namely Sutanati, Gobindapur
and Kolikata on the east bank of river Hoogly. The vibrant
city of the Eastern India was the first capital of colonial
India and basks with colonial heritage. Kolkata is the birthplace
of Indian renaissance and the cradle of spiritualism, intellect,
art and culture.
The attraction of Kolkata
lies in its colonial boulevard and buildings. The famous Victoria
Memorial built in 1921AD on the line of the famous Taj in
memory of Queen Victoria, Raj Bhavan (House of Governor) built
in 1803 AD houses wonderful collection of architecture and
rare collection of arts, Town Hall built in 1813AD in Doric
style, Indian Museum dated back to 1877AD, Fort William (the
massive fort) built in 1773AD, Ochterlony Monument built in
1828 AD (renamed Shahid Minar in 1969 AD), GPO built in 111874,
Marble Palace built in 1840, Writer's Building , National
Library and so many.
One can still enjoy a pleasant
ride on aging Tram near Maidan (vast field) or can have a
ride past the city heart on Tomtom Cart (horse driven cart).A
visit to the college square will give a traveler an insight
into the cultural and literal pulse of the city, a visit to
Coffee house is a must.
Around
Kolkata
Howrah:
A twin city of Kolkata only separated by river Hoogly resembles
Kolkata in many aspects. The city still has its own distinctions
and attractions. Of the countless of beauty offered by the
place, one is Botanical Garden at Shibpur, situated on the
west bank of river Ganga and founded in the year 1787 AD and
houses 30000 species of rare flora of which 250years old Banyan
Tree is the most fascinating. Belur Math the spiritual seat
founded by Swami Vivekananda is also a place to be visited.
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