West Bengal is
a land of natural beauty, music, poetry, culture & heritage
and enthusiastic people. Situated in the east of India,
the state which is known for Ravidra Sangeet stretches
from the Himalayas in the north to the Bay of Bengal
in the South. West Bengal shares international boundaries
with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal and is interlocked
by the other states like Sikkim, Assam, Orissa and Bihar.
Hooghly and its tributaries - Mayurakshi, Damodar, Kangsabati
and the Rupnarayan, enrich the soils of Bengal.
Weather
Winter,
which lasts about three months, is mild over the plains,
the average minimum temperature not falling 15o C. The
weather gets warmer by the middle February, which heralds
a brief spring season lasting about a month and is followed
summer comes in full blast with the coming of April.
The monsoon arrives by a middle of June and lasts generally
till end of the August.
Tourism
Breathtaking Beaches,
Wildlife (is the home to the World Heritage Site – Sunderbans),
Hill Stations ( West Benngal is the gateway to the Eastern
Himalaya), Heritage Sites, Sports and adventure opportunities,
Fairs and Festivals ... West Bengal offers its tourists
more than expected!
Places
of Tourist Interest
Darjeeling
: Darjeeling is one of the most magnificent
hill resorts in the world. A land of breathtaking beauty
crowned by the majestic Himalayas, Darjeeling conjures
visions of serenity and vibrant green hills steeped
in splendour. The traveller - whether a tourist or a
trekker, an ornithologist or a photographer, a botanist
or an artist - will find in Darjeeling an experience
which will remain etched in ones memory - forever.
Siliguri : Siliguri may called the
Gateway of Eastern India as it is the main transit
point for going to Darjeeling hill region, Sikkim,
Bhutan, Eastern Nepal and Assam. It is the biggest
town in North Bengal and is a fast developing one.
The places of tourist interest in and around Siliguri
are Jaldapara, Mahananda Weir Sukna, Kalijhora and
Mirik.
Kalimpong : Kalimpong is a beautiful
hill town in North Bengal, which can be reached from
either Siliguri or Darjeeling. Situated at an altitude
of 1250 metres, it enjoys temperate climate throughout
the year. Somewhat secluded and tucked away in the
corner under big Darjeeling umbrella, Kalimpong offers
a quiet and relaxed holiday, against the backdrop
of the Kanchenjunga.
Digha : The beach town of Digha
is famous all over for flat, hard beaches. The beauty
of this place was discovered as early as the days
of Warren Hastings.
Kolkata : Kolkata is the gateway
to Eastern India. A city with a rich heritage, bustling
streets and bewildering variety of facets. From October
to March, Kolkata wears a radiant look. Sunshine,
mild winter, lights, colours, fairs, festivals, galas
and excursions, the mood is infectious and spirit
sweeping.
The other popular cities of West Bengal are Sunderbans,
Dooars, Kurseong, Jaldapara and Mirik.
Festivals
& Events
Bengal is knowns for
year long festivals and fairs. Come autumn, the air
is rent with the sound of drums, the season of festivals.
The Durga Puja, followed by Id and then, Dewali, the
Festival of Lights. In November-December Rasajatra is
and Navanna, the festival of harvest is celebrated.
Winter is the time for Christmas. The Ganga Sagar Mela
which draws lakhs of devotees from all parts of India
is also organized during this period. Winter is also
the season of cultural events like the Poush Mela in
Santiniketan and Joydev Mela, the festival of wandering
minstrels at Kenduli.
Saraswati Puja (Goddess of Learning) is celebrated
in almost all Bengalee home in January-February. Holi,
the festival of colours is celebrated in spring. To
celebrate Shivaratri, fairs at Jalpesh in Jalpaiguri
and Tarakeswar in Hooghly are organized.. In April
the most important festival is Charak; the fair at
Tarakeswar attracts large number of devotees.
Poila Baishakh the Bengali New Year is celebrated
in April. Another important event in the month of
May is Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s
Birthday.
The largest Bengali festival is Durga Puja, held
in the Bengali month of Aswin (October). Images of
the ten-armed goddess are worshipped in ancient houses
and at pandals, erected specially for the Puja. After
the four-day ceremony, the images are immersed in
the river. Durgapuja is the most important festival
in the city of Calcutta. The festival that follows
is Deepavali, the festival of lights,. The worship
of goddess Kali is marked by display of fireworks
and crackers.
Gangasagar Mela, Kenduli Mela, Jalpesh Mela, Vasanta
Utsav, Naba Barsho, Rathayatra, Jhapan, Bera Utsav,
Rash Mela,
Jagaddhatri Puja, Teesta Tea & Tourism Festival,
Poush Mela, Vishnupur Festival are immensely popular
festival. Apart from the above, some other popular
fairs and festivals of West Bengal are Rathajatra,
Book Fairs, Classical Music, Dance and Drama festivals,
Film Festivals and more!
When to
Go
The best time to visit
West Bengal is October to March.
Interesting
Fact
Shantiniketan - a school
in the traditional gurukul system founded by Nobel Laureate
Rabindranath Tagore in 1901. Tagore’s vision was
a world where man exists in perfect harmony with nature.
Shantiniketan – the abode of peace- is a fruition
of this vision.
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