India's cultural cauldron of West Bengal combines the humanities , the city, the countryside, mountains, and nature. Whether you're intellectually inclined and need to be among writers and wandering minstrels, or adventurous and need to roam with rhinoceroses, these diverse West Bengal tourist places offer it all.
1 Kolkata
The West Bengal capital of Kolkata, officially known by its British name of Calcutta until 2001, has undergone a dramatic transformation over the last decade. No longer identified with slums, destitution, and therefore the inspiring work of Teresa , Kolkata has grown into the "cultural capital of India". It's a conflicting city full of captivating soul and sadly neglected crumbling buildings where time seems to have stood still in parts. In addition, Kolkata is the only city in India to have a tram/street car network, which adds to its old-world charm.
2 Sundarbans National Park
The Sunderbans is one among the highest national parks in India. This magnificent tangle of mangrove jungle is the largest in the world -- and the only one to have tigers! It's spread over 102 islands (about half of which are inhabited) and extends into neighboring Bangladesh. The Sundarbans is only accessible by boat and exploring it this way is a unique experience that shouldn't be missed. Don’t be hopeful of seeing any tigers though. They're very shy and typically remain well hidden within the reserve.
Location: 100 kilometers southeast of Kolkata.
3 Darjeeling
Most famous for its lush tea gardens, Darjeeling is one of India's top 10 hill stations. Most of the top things to do in Darjeeling center around tea. However, the town is blessed with a stunning view of Mount Kanchenjunga (the world's third highest peak) and has some interesting monasteries, local markets, handicrafts, and Tibetan and Nepalese food. Before being developed by the British in the mid-19th century, Darjeeling was part of the kingdom of Sikkim and was also temporarily ruled by invading Gorkhas from Nepal. This gives the town a distinctly different culture to other tourist places in the state. To get there, travel on the historic Darjeeling mountain railway toy train. Don't visit during the monsoon season though -- the region is one among the wettest places in India!
Location: About 600 kilometers north of Kolkata, at the base of the Eastern Himalayas.
4 Kalimpong
If you'd prefer to be away from the crowds, Kalimpong is a less-touristy alternative under three hours from Darjeeling. The town sits on a ridge overlooking the Teesta River, which separates it from Sikkim. It was ruled by the Sikkimese until the early 1700s when it was taken over by the king of Bhutan. The British won it back in 1865. Attractions include Buddhist monasteries, adventure activities, trekking, and nature walks. There are plenty of hills and villages to explore in the vicinity.
Location: About 630 kilometers north of Kolkata, at the base of the Eastern Himalayas.
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5 Shantiniketan
They say that the quaint university town of Shantiniketan (meaning Abode of Peace) is better comprehended than seen. Noble Laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore founded a school there in 1901, which later developed into the Visva Bharati University with an emphasis on humanity's relationship with nature. One of the main attractions in Shantiniketan is the Uttarayan complex where Tagore lived. It now has a museum and art gallery. The Upasana Griha prayer hall also stands out because of its many-colored glass windows. Kala Bhavan is considered to be one of the best visual arts colleges in the world. It has wall paintings, sculptures, frescoes, and murals of famous artists. Shantiniketan is also a well regarded center for traditional handicrafts such as batik, pottery, weaving, and embroidery. Shop at Alcha boutique and Amar Kutir. The best time to go to is during one among the various festivals like the three day Poush Mela (usually in late December), with its live Bengali ethnic music , and Holi (celebrated as Basanta Utsav). Alternatively, attempt to catch the Bondangar Haat (village market) that's held every Saturday. Wandering Baul singers are as much a feature as the handicrafts.
Location: About 160 kilometers northwest of Kolkata.
6 Bishnupur
Bishnupur is renowned for being the birthplace of terracotta. It's remarkable terracotta temples and terracotta pottery are the main attractions. The temples were built mostly during the 17th and 18th centuries by Malla dynasty rulers. During this time, there was a revival of Hinduism with devotion to Lord Krishna, after a prolonged period of Islamic dominance. The result was temple architecture that unusually blended Bengali-style curved roof with Islamic domes and arches, and Odia-style duel (sanctum). The detailed carvings on the temples' terracotta tiles feature scenes from Lord Krishna's life, as well as the Hindu epics The Ramayana and The Mahabharata. Reproductions of the tiles are sold everywhere. Beyond Bishnupur, you'll find more spectacular terracotta temples in the district.
Location: About 140 kilometers northwest of Kolkata.
7 Mayapur
Mayapur is laid-back pilgrim city with special significance for followers of Lord Krishna. It's regarded as the the birthplace of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a 15th century Vedic spiritual leader belived to be an avatar of Lord Krishna. His teachings were revived and brought to the west in the 20th century by Srila Prabhupada, who founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and spread the "Hare Krishna movement" throughout the world. The headquarters of ISKCON is located in Mayapur, along with a magnificent temple complex dedicated to Srila Prabhupada.
Location: About 125 kilometers north of Kolkata, at the confluence of the Hoogly and Jalangi rivers.
8 Dooars Region and Jaldapara National Park
If you cannot make it all the way as far as Kazaringa park in Assam to ascertain the rare one-horned rhinoceros within the wild, don't despair. Jaldapara park has about 50 of those creatures, and you'll view them pack up on an elephant safari. The sanctuary is the most well-known forest in the remote Dooars region. If you occupy the Forest Department's Hollong Tourist Lodge deep inside the park , you will be blessed the sight of animals wandering to the nearby creek and salt lick -- rhinos included! It's possible to form reservations for the tourist lodge online. Otherwise, Mithun Das of untamed Planet Travels in Madarihat is that the best person for all travel arrangements, including lodge bookings and safaris. The sanctuary is open from October through May. The top months for rhino watching are March and April when the new grass comes up.
Location: About 680 kilometers north of Kolkata, at the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal close to Bhutan.
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9 Pandua and Gaur
Spread throughout Pandua and Gaur, in West Bengal's Malda district, are the fascinating ruins of the former capitals of Muslim nawabs (rulers) dating back to the 13th-16th centuries. Most of the ruins are mosques, including the 14th century Adina Masjid in Pandua. It's one of the largest mosques in India and it contains the tomb of its builder, Sikander Shah.
Location: About 330 kilometers north of Kolkata.
10 Mandarmani Beach
Avoid overcrowded Digha Beach and head to Mandarmani Beach instead. Although it's not far from Digha, this fishing village with a super long stretch of beach is so much more peaceful and unpolluted. Bombay Beach Resort and Eco Villa Resort are good places to stay there right on the beach. If you're lucky, you may be able to spot clusters of red crabs running along the sand at sunset.
Location: About 180 kilometers southwest of Kolkata.
11 Murshidabad
Murshidabad was the capital city of the Bengal region during the Mughal empire, and the last capital before British rule. As a result, it's numerous palaces and mosques with marvelous Mughal architecture, plus more ruins. Intriguing tales of treachery draw tourists to Murshidabad as well. It was nearby that Nawab Siraj Ud-Daulah wrongly lost his reign to the British in the 1757 Battle of Plassey, after the British bribed the commander-in-chief of the Nawab's army. The British met with the traitor, Mir Jafar, at Kathgola Palace in Murshidabad to debate the promised payment. Imposing Hazarduari Palace is the main attraction though. It has 1,000 doors, and has been turned into a museum with an exquisite collection of regal memorabilia.
Location: About 200 kilometers north of Kolkata, on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River.
12 Purulia
West Bengal's Purulia district is home to the distinctive acrobatic masked Chhau dance, performed in honor of the sun god. The dance was inscribed in UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. An annual three-day Chau Jhumur Utsav festival featuring the dance takes place in late December in Balarampur. The masks are made about 45 minutes away in Charida village near Baghmundi, where about 300 artisans are involved within the craft.
Location: About 290 kilometers northwest of Kolkata.
13 Along the Hooghly River
A cruise along the Hooghly River, a lower channel of the Ganges River, provides a memorable glimpse into village life. The Assam Bengal Navigation Company offers comfortable 7-night cruises from Kolkata to Farakka, with the return journey by rail. This stretch is most interesting due to its British, Dutch, French, Portuguese, and Danish heritage -- all of these countries established 18th century trading posts there and you'll get to see the remnants of them, as well as markets, temples, and old mosques.
Location: About 60 kilometers of Kolkata.
14 Royal Rajbari Heritage Homes
West Bengal is dotted with rajbaris (homes of erstwhile royalty). Unfortunately, post-independence, they've widely fallen into ruin because it costs an excessive amount of to take care of them. Some have recently been restored and became boutique hotels though (with the royal hosts still in residence). They provide a unique and immersive way of experiencing regional West Bengal, and learning about the state's regal heritage. Options include Jhargram Palace, Rajbari Bawali, Itachuna Rajbari, Amadpur Rajbari, and Mahishadal Rajbari. Itachuna is assumed to be one among the oldest rajbaris within the state.
Location: About 34 kilometers of Kolkata.
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