The climate is, however, hot - blame the climate for the Bengali's
hotheadedness. The rains come around July. But it is hot and sweaty all the
year round. However, Darjeeling, the most popular hill station of the
region, and its surrounding areas, prove a respite. Wonderfully cool, its
landscape is aweinspiring. Here, the Himalayan Mountaineering
Museum, Ghoom Buddhist Monastery and the
Singlaa bazaar are major attractions. Kalimpong is another
beautiful little town. The dawn breaking over Kanchenjunga, horse riding,
tea gardens and treks, all the expectations of a hilly holiday are
fulfilled. West Bengal, thus promises you both plains and mountain peaks.
Calcutta, the capital, is a city not to be missed. Its varied past has
a way of lingering on in unexpected corners. The Victoria Memorial
at one end of Chowringhee is a marble monument to commemorate Queen
Victoria's India. The Botanical Gardens is full of a wonderful variety of
tropical plants. The Eden Gardens stretching over acres of
lush green grass is the famous cricket field. A two-day-one-night cruise to
the mangrove forests of the Sunderbans entails spending
nights in a forest bungalow on stilts and the chance to see the Royal Bengal
Tiger. Digha, the beach resort of Calcutta, is easily
accessible by road and a wonderful getaway.
Best time to
visit: The Durga Puja months of September-October and December-January.
Places
to visit:
Victoria
Memorial - A splendid example of British architecture, it was built
in memory of Queen Victoria and was inaugurated by Prince of Wales in 1921.
The Memorial is based on the architecture of the Taj and is built in marble.
Birla Planetarium - is one the earliest planetariums
in India and a major tourist attraction. The auditorium has a capacity of
500 and there are daily multi-lingual film shows. The planetarium gives
complete information about the Universe and the solar systems. The models
kept here are a special attraction for the children.
Sahid
Minar - A combination of Turkish, Egyptian and Syrian architectural
elements, this 48-m high monument was built in 1828. It is located on the
northern part of the Maidan. From the top of the minar, the view of Calcutta
is panoramic. But permission is needed from the police headquarters in Lal
Bazar to climb the tower.
Kali Temple - The
present temple was built in 1809 on the site of an ancient temple. It is
also known as the Kalighat temple. It is after the name of this temple that
the English christened the place, Calcutta, an anglicized form of Kalikata.
Eden Gardens - Named after the sister of
Alexander, the Eden Gardens is a lush area covered by trees and garden. The
major part of the garden is covered by one of the largest and most beautiful
stadia of India- the Eden Garden or the Ranji stadium.
Ravindra
Gallery- This gallery has some of the rare and fine pictures and
manuscripts of Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore. The paintings are done
in a style peculiar to the poet and attracts many visitors. This place is
also the venue for various cultural programs. Rabindra Setu ( Howrah Bridge) - is one of three bridges
on the river Hooghly and is the most famous symbol not only of Calcutta but
also of West Bengal. Howrah Bridge is a bridge suspended on pillars. The
newly constructed Vidya Sagar Setu is also a cable suspended bridge. It was
built to reduce the pressure of traffic on the old Howrah Bridge. The design
of the new bridge is very similar to the Golden Gate Bridge in San
Francisco.
Belur Math - The Ramkrishna Mission
established by Swami Vivekanand has its head Quarters here.
Digha - is the nearest sea beach from Calcutta. It takes a
six-hour bus journey from Calcutta to reach here. Digha offers every
possible attraction for a sea-loving traveler: good surf and golden sands.
Just eight kilometer from Digha is the Chandaneshwar Siva Temple across the
border in Orissa. Tiger Hills - is the highest point
in Darjeeling and it provides the most exotic view of the Kanchenjunga
peaks. From this place the other peaks of the Eastern Himalayas can also be
seen. The sight of the sun rising from over the Tiger Hills is an
unforgettable experience. The first rays of the sun on these peaks of the
Great Barriers gives an impression of molten gold having been spread.
Mirik - is 52 km from Siliguri and 55 km from the
Bagdogra airfield. It is surrounded by tea estates, orange orchards and
cardamom plantations. Free from the hustle and bustle of a regular hill
station, it attracts the tourists automatically.
