WEST BENGAL
West Bengal, situated in eastern India, is a land with a rich diversity. Home to different civilizations and known for its cultural diversity, West Bengal has a great history too. Bengal is mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. Thanks to its geographical location stretching from the great Himalayas to Bay of Bengal, the state has spectacular landscapes to captivate your souls.
KOLKATA
Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, is the largest metropolitan city in India. This ancient city is considered to be inhabited for more than two thousand years and it is evident from its rich cultural background and diverse ethnicity. Here are some important tourist attractions in Kolkata.
- Howrah Bridge
- Belur Math Shrine
- Botanical Gardens
- Victoria Hall
- Mother House
- Fort William
- Eco Tourism Park
- Birla Industrial And Technological Museum
- Science City
- Birla Temple
- Marble Palace
- Indian Museum
- Park Street
- DARJEELING
- Other than Kolkata, Darjeeling is the place that gives West Bengal its unique identity. A much-celebrated hill-station in India, Darjeeling is the destination that provides the opportunity to unwind amidst the scenic and serene environ. Blessed with tea estates, red rhododendrons, white magnolias, birds of different species, colonial-era buildings and the Toy-Train facility, this hill station in West Bengal is a perfect holiday destination in India. Trekking, river rafting, and bird watching are some of the activities that you can indulge in Darjeeling apart from enjoying sightseeing and the Toy-Train ride.
- Kanchenjunga
- Peace Pagoda
- Everest Museum
- Neora National Park
- Sandakphu
- Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
- Barbotey Rock Garden
- Tiger Hill
- Batasia Loop
- Lava
- Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary
BANKURA
Bankura is a district in West Bengal that boasts about the fine terracotta temples, dense virgin forests, rolling hills and several scenic spots. Bankura district includes Bishnupur, which has been mentioned in the blog separately. Apart from Bishnupur, Bankura district is also famous for Mukutmonipur, which is situated on the confluence of Rivers Kansabati and Kumari. There is a lake in Mukutmonipur that offers a stunning reflection of the azure sky above making it a delightful site to see.
- Biharinath Hill
- Rasmancha
- Ganesh and Nandi Statue
- Susunia Hills
- Garh Darwaja
- Mukutmonipur Dam
- Krishna-Balaram Temple
MIDNAPORE
The town Midnapore, also called Medinipur is a pilgrim center in West Bengal as it is home to a few ancient temples and mosques. The place is also famous for the memorials of many freedom fighters. Situated on the banks of the Kangsabati River, Midnapore is known for its sweet shops that sell fine quality of famous Bengali sweet – ‘Khirer Goja’ or Bengali Gossip.
- Bahiri
- Shankarpur Beach
- Bargabheema Temple
- Egra
- Chandrakona
- Dantan
- Kurambera Fort
- Dandeswar Mahadev Temple
- Jhargram Garbeta
- Jora Masjid
- Baptist Mission Church Keshiari
SHANTINIKETAN
A small town near Bolpur in the Birbhum district, Shantiniketan is known better as the Treasure Trove of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. This small town is situated about 212 kms and home to a university town, Visva-Bharati. Tagore founded an Ashram here in 1863 and became the initiator of the Brahmo Samaj. The Shantiniketan campus is adorned with splendid sculptures, frescoes, murals, and paintings of Rabindranath, Nandalal Bose, Ramkinkar, Binodbehari Mukhopadhyay. It is also popular for its Baul Singers and fairs and festivals like Poush Mela (December), Joydev Mela (January), Basanta Utsav (Holi)(in March).
MANDARMANI
Famed as the longest drivable beach in India, Mandarmani is indeed one of the best places to visit in West Bengal. Located about 14kms from Chaulkhola in East Midnapore District, Mandarmani is the fastest growing tourist attraction in West Bengal. Locally called Mandarboni, the village offers a tranquil atmosphere amidst which the travelers can unwind and loosen the grip. The beach at Mandarmani is the perfect spot to watch the sunrise; one can also enjoy water sports like surfing, jet skiing, banana boat rides, ATV bikes and bungee trampoline here. It is to be noted that several water sports are conducted during the Digha-Mandarmani Festival held here in the month of January every year. The festival also showcases performances by several music bands. For those of you who like to shop; the objects and ornaments made from seashells and oysters are available in plenty here.
- Mandarmani Beach
- The Delta
BISHNUPUR
Known for its ancient temples dating back to 15th century, Bishnupur is the history lovers’ paradise. Situated in the Bankura District, Bishnupur is has some beautiful terracotta temples and prosperous Balucheri Saree industry. It is believed that art and culture flourished here during the reign of the Malla Rulers who were the patrons of painting and music. The temples here stand proof of the gorgeous architecture that this place once was adorned with.
- Jorebangla Temple
- Radha Govinda Temple
- Loukoipat Ecological Park
- Rasmancha
- Gate of Old Fort
- Sarbamangala Temple
- Pancha Ratna Temple
- Keibul Lamjao National Park
SUNDERBANS
Here is what makes West Bengal eligible for praises, the Sundarban. Being world’s largest delta and also the largest Mangrove Forest, Sundarban is on the bucketlist of many travel aficionados around the world. It is the River Matla that divides Sundarban Reserved Forest into Sundarban Tiger Reserve (on the east) and Reserved Forest of South 24 parganas Forest Division. A 5400 sq km of non-forest; Sundarban is bounded by River Muriganga on the west and Harinbhahga and Raimangal Rivers in the east. It is the biosphere reserve that has received the recognition of UNESCO under its Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme in November 2001. Sundarban National Park, forming the core area of Sundarban Tiger Reserve has also received recognition as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. It is to be noted that Sundarban Tiger Reserve has the highest tiger population in the world.
DIGHA
A sea-side city, Digha is an ideal weekend destination from Kolkata. Digha is extremely popular amidst tourists for its pristine beach and that is why one must book their tour well in advance, especially on the weekends. Make sure to try the fried fish that the locals sell; collect sea shells; follow trails left behind by crabs; and sip on coconut water while lazing under an umbrella on the beach.
- New Digha Beach
- Undaipur
- Shankarpur Beach
- Marine Station/Aquarium of Zoological Survey of India
- Talsari Beach
- Temple at Chandaneswar
SILIGURI
Siliguri is a picturesque town offering spectacular views of Himalayas. It is quite famous for its tea gardens and a thick forest. The city is located on the bank of the Mahananda River and is a beautiful place to stop by if travelling to Darjeeling, Kalimpong or Sikkim. If you wish, you can also visit the colorful Salugara gompa that is about 5kms from the main town and is adorned with an imposing chorten-like spire. Siliguri is also an ideal place to shop for Chinese knock-offs in the bustling Hong Kong Market, which is off the Sevoke Road in the heart of town.
- Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
- Isckon Temple
- Chilapata Forest
- Kanchenjunga Stadium
- Shorea Forest Recreation Center
- Coronation Bridge
- Surya Sen Park
- Fulbari Barrage
- Sevoke, Kalijhora Mongpong
MURSHIDABAD
Located on the bank of River Bhagirathi, Murshidabad is an ancient city in West Bengal. It is believed that the city was on its height of glory before the British rulers shifted the capital to Kolkata. The town still bears memories of Nawabs that once ruled here and contributed in the city’s beauty by building mosques, tombs, and gardens. They even set up industries of ivory, gold and silver embroidery and silk weaving. Murshidabad today is a centre for agriculture, handicrafts and sericulture.
- Hazarduari Palace Museum
- Jalangi River
- Jahankosha Canon
- Imambara
- Nasipur Palace
- Katgola
- Wasef Manzil
- Katra Mosque
HOOGHLY
Probably one of the most famous places in West Bengal, Hooghly is reckoned to be the place, where Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Sarada Devi stayed for several years. It also has historical significance as it was colonized by Portuguese, French and the Dutch and one can still see the influence of the colonization in the architecture here. So, this moderately bustling destination is for those who enjoy spending time exploring the stories of glorious past.
- Chandannagar Museum
- Tarakeshwar Temple
- Deer Park
- Srirampore
- Hooghly Imambara
- Sri Ramakrishna Math
- Bhadreswar
- Hangseshwari Temple
- Garh Mandaran
KALIMPONG
Kalimpong is a lovely hill station in lower Himalayas, situated at an elevation of 1250m. Overlooking the Teesta River, Kalimpong is an ideal destination for nature lovers as the place is blessed with bounties of nature and offers incredible views of the Himalayas and the tranquil environment to attain peace of mind. One gets to witness the traditional handicraft, and a wide array of orchids in a flower market here. Kalimpong is also a religious centre of Buddhism and has monasteries that house some rare Tibetan Buddhist scriptures.
- Deolo Hill
- Pine View Nursery
- Zong Dog Palri Fo-Brang Gompa
- Graham’s Home
- Jaldhaka River Valley
- Tongsa Gompa
- Kalimpong Cactus Nursery
- Tharpa Choeling Gompa
- Zang Dhok Palri Phodang
KAMARPUKUR
A village in Hooghly district, Kamarpukur is an ancient place that invites all the history buffs. A visit to this place adorned with old buildings, temples and tanks can take you back in time. Kamarpukur is also considered sacred as it was here that Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa was born.
- Jairambati Math
- Gopeshwar Temple
- Mukundapur Temple
- Matri Mandir
- Yogi Shiva Temple
JALPAIGURI
Enjoying a beautiful topography, Jalpaiguri is a blissful destination in West Bengal for nature lovers. Since it is easy to access Darjeeling and Sikkim from here, you would find the city bustling with tourists all year round. The name Jalpaiguri came from the world ‘Jalpai’, meaning ‘Olive’, which grew in this town and the suffix ‘Guri’ means a place, so Jalpaiguri is basically the ‘Place of Olive’. The name is also said to be associated with Jalpesh or Shiva, who is the presiding deity of the entire region. The whole topography of Jalpaiguri crisscrossed with rivulets, rivers and hills making it nature lovers’ heaven.
- Dooars
- Mendabari Fort
- Gorumara National Park
- The Baptist Church
- Buxa Tiger Reserve
- Panjhora River
MIRIK
Dubbed ‘Nest in the Hills of West Bengal’, Mirik is a beautiful hill town in Darjeeling district at the height at the height of 1767m. The town is situated at a distance of about 49kms from Darjeeling and has a beautiful long lake that is fed by perennial streams. A floating fountain in the middle of the lake is the highlight of the place. Mirik is also adorned with thousands of Cryptomaria-Japanica trees. It certainly is one of those places where one can attempt a solo trip in India. A boat ride in the lakes is an ideal thing to do in Mirik along with trekking.
- Devi Sthan
- Sumendu Lake
- Deosi Dara
- Rai Dhap
- Rameetay Dara
COOCH BEHAR
A land influenced greatly by the Mughals is Cooch Behar in Jalpaiguri District. Cooch Behar is not only famous for the Mughal influenced monuments, but is also known for massive water bodies. The place was once the only planned town in North Bengal region and one can still see the remnants of the royal heritage here. It makes a great destination for those who have a keen interest in learning about the rich history of Bengal.
- Cooch Behar Palace
- Madan Mohan Bari
- Chilapara Forest Range
- Dangar Ayee Temple
- Rasik Bil
BIRBHUM
Called the ‘Land of the Brave’, Birbhum is a district in West Bengal that holds great importance in the history of the state. Birbhum is known for its red soil houses. The most prominent place in the district is Shantiniketan, which has already been discussed separately in the blog. Apart from it, Tarapith, Bakreswar, Kankalitala, Labpur, Nanoor, Joydev Kenduli, Dubrajpur, Nalhati, Patharchap;uri, Rajnagar, Hetampur and Kaleswar Shiv Mandir other places to visit in the district.
- Shantiniketan
- Fullara
- Dubrajpur
- Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary
- Hetampur
- Temple of Nandikeswari
- Kankali Pith
BARRACKPORE
Barrackpore is a land rich in nature’s beauty as well as history. It was here the famous Sepoy Mutiny originated and this has earned Barrackpore a special mention in the history of India. Very few people know about Barrackpore but it is actually worth a visit for those who take keen interest in history. There are places like Dakshineswar, Gandhi Memorial Museum, Gandhi Ghat and Rishi Bankim Sangrahasala that are must visit for history lovers, whereas, nature lovers can enjoy picnics at Mathura Beel.
- Mangal Pandey Park
- Gandhi Ghat
- Kali Temple
- Gandhi Museum
- Bartholomew Cathedral
- Tarakeswar Temple
- Jawaharkunja Garden
- Indira Gandhi Water Treatment Plant
KURSEONG
Located at an altitude of 1458m, Kurseong is a beautiful and lesser known hill station in West Bengal. About 30kms from Darjeeling, Kurseong is blessed with salubrious climate all through the year, which definitely makes it an ideal summer destination in West Bengal. What attracts most about this place is the utter peace that it provides. It is worth mentioning that some of the famous poems and songs of Noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagore were composed in Kurseong and such is the magic of this place! Also the famed painter, Abanindranath Tagore, and great composer Atul Prasad Sen found inspiration for some of their famous works around Kurseong. The lovely tea estates and Raj-era buildings add charm to this place.
- Makaibari Tea Estate
- Castleton Tea Estate
- Ambotia Shiva Mandir Temple
- Eagle’s Crag
- Gidhapahar Mandir Temple
- Bhangzang Salamander Lake
- Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Museum
- Deer Park
- Sitong
- Kettle Valley
