Kolkata (Bengali: কলকাতা, কোলকাতা) (also known as Calcutta) is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly river, it is the principal commercial, cultural, and educational centre of East India, while the Port of Kolkata is India's oldest operating port as well as its sole major riverine port.
As a nucleus of the 19th- and early 20th-century Bengal Renaissance and a religiously and ethnically diverse centre of culture in Bengal and India, Kolkata has established local traditions in drama, art, film, theatre, and literature that have gained wide audiences. Many people from Kolkata—among them several Nobel laureates—have contributed to the arts, the sciences, and other areas, while Kolkata culture features idiosyncrasies that include distinctively close-knit neighbourhoods (paras) and freestyle intellectual exchanges (adda).
West Bengal's share of the Bengali film industry is based in the city, which also hosts venerable cultural institutions of national importance, such as the Academy of Fine Arts, the Victoria Memorial, the Asiatic Society, the Indian Museum, and the National Library of India. Though home to major cricketing venues and franchises, Kolkata differs from other Indian cities by giving importance to association football and other sports.
The city of Kolkata forms a part of Eastern India. The coordinates of the city are 22.82° North and 88.20° east. The mean altitude of the city is 17 feet over sea surface. The shoreline of the Bay of Bengal lies at a distance of 60 km in the south. The Sundarbans National Park is located at a distance of 100 km from the city. Being situated near the sea Kolkata has tropical climate. The summer temperature ranges from 25 to 40 Celsius and in winter it is between 12 - 25 Celsius. It receives its share of rainfall from monsoon winds. The best time to visit Kolkata is from September to March.
The city of Kolkata can be broadly categorized into the following areas:
• North Kolkata - Shobhabazar, Shyambazar, Cossipore, Chitpur, Sinthee, Baranagar, and Dum Dum
• Central Kolkata - BBD Bagh, Esplanade, Free School Street (Mirza Ghalib Street), Park Street, Chandni Chowk, Dalhousie Square, Sudder Street and Burra Bazaar. It is also known as the central business district (CBD) of the city.
• South Kolkata - Alipore, Ballygunge, Lansdowne, New Alipore, Tollygunge, Bhowanipore, Lake Gardens, Jodhpur Park, Jadavpur, Golf Green, and Kasba.
The suburbs of the city are Behala, Garden Reach, Kudghat, Thakurpukur, Bansdroni, Ranikuthi, Garia, and Baghajatin.
The main tourist attractions of Kolkata are:
• Victoria Memorial : Landmark of Kolkata, this marvel was built to commemorate the 25 years of reign of queen Victoria on India. This edifice of pre independence era is located at the Southern end of 'The Maidan'. And is a perfect blend of Mughal and British architecture style.
• Howrah Bridge or Rabindra Setu : This world's busiest bridge is built over river Hughli. It is 97m high and 705 m long and is a gateway to the city.
• The Maidan : It is known as "Lungs of the City" and is one of the finest gift of Britishers.
• BBD Bagh (Dalhousie Square) : It is named after three martyrs Benoy- Badal and Dinesh. It is the main commercial hub of Kolkata and is worth a visit.
• Writers Building : Presently home to secretariat of West Bengal Government, this building was built for the writers of East India Company who worked and lived there.
• Fort Williams : It is situated at the bank of river Hooghli and is octagon shaped. It houses a museum displaying arms and photographs of Burma campaign and a section on people and handicraft of Northeast India.
• Shahid Minar (Ochterlony Monument) : Named in the memory of freedom fighters of India,
it was built to commemorate British victory in Nepal war in 1814-16. It adores the skyline of Chowringhee.
• Rabindra Sadan : It is a seat of Bengali culture with a theater cum concert hall and 'Nandan', a film center, located nearby. The Bangla Akademi and the Kolkata Information Center are also situated in the vicinity.
• Jorashanko Thakurbari : Located on the Rabindra Bharati University Campus, this home of Rabindra Nath Tagore was a major center for Bengali art and culture during nineteenth century. A forty-five minutes light and sound show on the life of Tagore family is held here in the evening.
• Birla Planetarium : Established in 1962 it is one of the largest planetarium of the world. Stars and constellations are projected on the ceiling of the planetarium.
• Asiatic Society : Founded by Sir William Jones in 1784, it is the first modern museum in Asia and houses a rich collection of art and antiquities and a huge library.
• Indian Museum: Initially part of Asiatic society, the museum has sixty galleries of six departments of art, archeology, zoology, botany, geology and archaeology. It is situated on J. Nehru Road and is popularly known as 'Jadu Ghar '(magic house).
• Marble Palace : Built by Raja Rajendra Mullick in 1835 this gothic mansion has ornate objects collected from auctions
and dispossessed households across the globe.
• Vidyasagar Setu : It is situated South of Howrah bridge on the river Hooghli. Its construction work took 22 years and costed Rs 3.88 billion. It is 457m long and 115m wide and has 100m deep foundations.
• The Academy of Fine Arts : It reflects the rich artistic skill and creative imagination of the people of West Bengal. Representing the artistic fervor of the state, The Academy of Fine Arts displays the intellectual caliber of the artists who express their inner most feeling through the beautiful paintings.
• National Library : This library located in 'Summer House' of Prince Azim-Us-Shan, the Viceroy of Bengal and Bihar, was inaugurated by Lord Curzon in January 1903. At that time it was named Metcalf hall and was renamed as National Library in 1948. It has over two million books and half million documents.
• Kalighat Kali Temple : It is one of the 52 'Shakti Peetham' of India and is a major site of 'Shakti' worship.
It is believed that a finger of goddess Kali fell here when Shiva (hindu god) was carrying her dead body. The temple enshrines an awe inspiring black stone idol of goddess 'Kali'.
• Tarapith Temple :Kolkata does not let down even religious people. There are many such places where you can feel the spiritual serene.
Kali is regarded as one of the principal deities of Bengal. Kali is a powerful and complex goddess with multiple forms. The Divine can be manifested in many different forms, with various roles and personalities.
Various parts of Sati's body are said to have fallen, in the course of Shiva's Rudra Tandava and constitute the various Shakti peethams all through the whole India.
Tarapith is regarded as one of the 52 Shakti Peethams of India.
Some 264 km from Kolkata, Tarapith is situated on the banks of the north flowing Dwarka River, in Birbhum, in West Bengal.
• Belur Math : Established by Swami Vivekanada in 1899 it is headquarter of Ramkrishan Mission. This shrine gives the message of secularism and religious tolerance. The architecture is unique in its own way as it gives the view of a temple, a mosque and a church if seen from different angles.
• Dakshineshwar Kali Temple : This temple built by Rani Rashmoni in 1847 is situated on other side of river Hooghli and is dedicated to Goddess Bhavatarini, a form of Goddess Kali. It also houses statues of other deities such as Shiva, Radha-Krishan and Sita-Ram. It is one of the largest temples in Kolkata. There are nine main temples dedicated to Goddess Kali and twelve shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Birla Mandir : The architecture of the temple is a perfect blend of traditional artistry and modern technology.
• Armenian Church : It was built in 1724 by Cavond, an Armenian and is one of the oldest churches in Kolkata.
• St. Paul's Cathedral : It was built between 1839 and 1847 in Indo-Gothic style
• Nakhoda Mosque : It is located on north of BBD Bagh and is the largest mosque of Kolkata. The present structure of the mosque was built by Osman in 1942.
• Tarakeshwar : This small village is situated nearly 60 km from Kolkata and is famous for the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was built by Raja Bharamalla and dates back to the 18th century. Pilgrims visit the temple throughout the year and the numbers increase during the huge fair organized in the month of Shravana during Shivratri as per the Hindu calendar.
• Botanical Gardens : This oldest botanical garden of India is situated in Shibpur, ten km South of Haora station. It was established in 1786 by Colonel Alexander Kyd. The star attraction of this garden is 240 years old banyan tree, which reaches up to a height of 24.5m and is spread over a circumference of 420m, making it the world's largest banyan tree.
• Eden Gardens : It was named after Emily and Fanny Eden, sisters of Lord Auckland. It is situated at Northwest corner of The Maidan. The famous Eden Gardens stadium also lies with in the Garden.
• Horticultural Gardens : It is located in Alipore. It was established in 1820 by William Carey. An annual flower show is held here in February.
• Zoological Gardens : Situated south of the Maidan, along Belvedere road,it was opened in 1875.
Amusement Parks
• Science City : Located in Eastern part of Kolkata, it is a first venture of its kind in
whole of India. The complex houses a Space Odyssey, a Fountain Park, Life Science Corner and Dinosaur's Complex. But the most interesting section is Space Theater. It is a circular auditorium with a dome shaped ceiling. It is open from 9 am to 9 pm.
• NICCO Park : Situated in Salt Lake City in Northeastern part,it is Disneyland of Kolkata. It is popularly known as 'Jheel Meel'.
And is a great attraction for children. For nature lovers it has an exquisite Rose Garden. Its visiting time is 11am to 8 pm (winter), 11 am to 9 pm (summer).
• Aquatica : As the name suggests it is a Waterpark. It is situated at Kochkupur. It is waterlovers' haven.
• Millennium Park : Situated on the bank of river Ganga on Strand Road it is a real paradise for nature lovers. One can experience the waves of Ganga along with the scenic beauty of the park.
• Asutosh Museum : Established in 1937, this museum of Calcutta university has collection of art objects with special emphasis on Bengali folk art.
• Nehru Children's Museum : This museum situated on Chowringhee road has models depicting the Hindu epics namely the Ramayana and the Mahabharta.
• Birla Industrial and Technological Museum : This museum is funded by philanthropist Birlas. It has a fine collection of sculptures and modern art as well as some interesting medieval specimens.
• Netaji Museum : Situated in Netaji Bhavan this museum houses large collection of material related to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Avoid going here during Netaji birth week that is around 23rd January because at this time of the year there is a very heavy rush.
Get Aways
If you are tired of the hustle-bustle of the city then there are many places nearby this 'City of Procession' to which you can give a shot.
• Shanti Niketan : Bolpur-Santineketan is one of the perfect weekend gateway destinations for the people who are eagar to travel. It's a great relief from metropolitan's delirious pace and pollution. It is 145km away from Kolkata.
The red soil of Birbhum, the green forest, the fresh air, the beautiful scenario of the bank of river Kopai, the remnant of Khoai created by rainfall during monsoon attract travelers by its own beauty.
The people of the district are very innocent and dear to everyone. Rabindranath Tagore's Visva-Bharati Vishyavidyalaya is the main attraction of the place. It is an International University and a great center of Oriental education and culture.
Basanta Utsav is a colorful festivals for all Indians and known as Holi. It occurs at the end of winter when spring comes with its beauty. Falgun and Chaitra according to the Bengali calendar is the season of Dol utsav.
• Bandel : The ancient place of Bandel has been a witness to many different kinds of cultures and civilizations. The present day Bandel bears relics to the rich historical heritage and cultural legacies of the bygone golden eras. Representing the varied cultural traditions of the ancient times, Bandel has gained a world wide popularity because of the famous Bandel Church.
Situated at a stone's throw distance of just two kilometers from the Bandel station, the Bandel Church stands tall with its splendid architectural structure that reflects the artistic imagination and the engineering skills of the Portuguese. The lavish religious monument was erected by Gomez de Soto way back in 1600 AD. The holy premises of the Bandel Church houses a monastery which was constructed around the same time.
Constructed in the unique architectural style of the Portuguese, the Bandel Church attracts several devotees from different religious communities. The interior of the Church is decorated with beautiful chandeliers. The colored glass windows of the Bandel Church adds to the glory of the religious monument.
According to a religious and historical legend, a ship had survived a deadly sea storm by the divine intervention of Lady Virgin. To immortalize this unusual event the captain of the ship had gifted the huge mast which still finds a place within the holy premises of the church. The statue of one Lady of Happy Voyage is worshiped by the devotees with intense devotion and dedication. The sole reminiscent of the Portugese rule in the area, the Bandel Church portrays the glorious past of the region.
• Diamond Harbor : It is a perfect getaway from Kolkata. You can get river cruise from this place and spend the whole day in the lap of river Hoogli. It also offers best beach resorts around Kolkata.
• Mandarmani-Digha-Shankarpur : Mandarmani is a beach resort in Purba Medinipur district of South Bengal , one of the southern districts of West Bengal . It is almost 180km from Kolkata Airport on the Kolkata - Digha route and just 14km from Chaulkhola .Mandarmani is one of Bengal’s recently developed tourist destination that lies close to ever-popular Digha and Shankarpur. With sun and surf, pristine sea beach and untrammeled silt coloured sand, this beach is slowly becoming popular among the tourists.
• Sunderbans : This world heritage site is the only home of the most ferocious animal, the royal Bengal tiger, on earth. This largest delta of world is also habitat to Cheetal. Visitor can get to see rare birds like Brown Winged Kingfisher, Swamp Patridge, Grey Heades Lapwing, Mangove Whistler and many other exotic birds.
• Chandannagar : It has many tourist attractions, the most important being the ruins of French buildings. Other spots worth visit are Rabindra Bhavan, Strand Church, Museum and Temple.
• Nabadwip : It is a popular pilgrimage center for the devotees of Krishna. Nabadwip lies on the western side of the river Bhagirathi at a distance of about 20 K.M. from Krishnagar and it is associated with birth of Lord Sri. Chaitanya and the advent of the Vaishnab religion in Bengal.
Sri. Chaitanya was not only a religious leader preaching Vaishnab ideas and Bhakti cult but also a social reformer in the 16th Century. Nabadwip was the capital of Lakshman Sena, the famous ruler of Sena dynasty, who ruled from 1179 to 1203. There are a number of temples and pilgrimage centres. Dwadas Shib Mandir built in 1835 with the exquisite floral designs attracts a large number of pilgrims. The images and idols of Lord Sri. Chaitanaya in a few other places are also regarded with reverence.
• Mayapur : It is an important pilgrim destination for Vaishnavism followers. It is the birth place of Chatanya Mahaprabhu, a reincarnation of Lord Krishna and Radha. It is also the world headquarters of ISCKON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness). Today, the place receives more than thousands of pilgrims each year.
• Bishnupur : It is a town in the Bankura District of West Bengal about 132 km from Kolkata. It is famous for its terracotta temples and baluchari sarees.
The town has a glorious past that is reflected in its rich architecture, music and handicrafts such as pottery and weaving. It prospered in the 17th and early 18th centuries. Ruled by a line of Hindu Rajas of the Malla dynasty, Bishnupur developed a unique form of architecture and has perhaps the most brilliant and detailed terracotta work in Eastern India that has withstood the ravages of time.
The history of Bishnupur can be traced back to 694 AD, when King Raghunath I founded the Malla dynasty. However it was much later in 994 AD that the place was named Bishnupur. The name is derived from the name of the Hindu God ‘Vishnu'. The majority of the people belong to the ‘Vaishnava' sect.
• Murshidabad : It was the last capital city of independent Bengal was named after Nawab Murshid Quli Khan, the Dewan of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. It is situated on the banks of the Bhagirathi. A city of splendors & famous for its silk, was made capital of Bengal in 1717. The British shifted the capital to Kolkata in 1773. Plassey, where the historic battle was fought in 1757 between Nawab Siraj-Ud-Daula and lord Clive, of East India Company, is only 40 Km. South of Murshidabad.
• North Bengal & Hill Stations : North Bengal is truly a treasure hunt for the nature lovers, especially for those who are looking for a periodical escape from the hectic chores of the modern city life. Lying in the Northern half of the State of West Bengal and encircled by international boundaries of Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, North Bengal offers a unique combination of varied landscape - from high mountainous region in the extreme north to the vast Gangetic plains in the extreme south.
The geographical diversity blended with the cultures of different ethnic groups has placed North Bengal in the most treasured tourist destinations in Northeast India. North Bengal comprises of six districts- Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Coochbihar, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Malda.
As a nucleus of the 19th- and early 20th-century Bengal Renaissance and a religiously and ethnically diverse centre of culture in Bengal and India, Kolkata has established local traditions in drama, art, film, theatre, and literature that have gained wide audiences. Many people from Kolkata—among them several Nobel laureates—have contributed to the arts, the sciences, and other areas, while Kolkata culture features idiosyncrasies that include distinctively close-knit neighbourhoods (paras) and freestyle intellectual exchanges (adda).
The city of Kolkata forms a part of Eastern India. The coordinates of the city are 22.82° North and 88.20° east. The mean altitude of the city is 17 feet over sea surface. The shoreline of the Bay of Bengal lies at a distance of 60 km in the south. The Sundarbans National Park is located at a distance of 100 km from the city. Being situated near the sea Kolkata has tropical climate. The summer temperature ranges from 25 to 40 Celsius and in winter it is between 12 - 25 Celsius. It receives its share of rainfall from monsoon winds. The best time to visit Kolkata is from September to March.
The city of Kolkata can be broadly categorized into the following areas:
• North Kolkata - Shobhabazar, Shyambazar, Cossipore, Chitpur, Sinthee, Baranagar, and Dum Dum
• Central Kolkata - BBD Bagh, Esplanade, Free School Street (Mirza Ghalib Street), Park Street, Chandni Chowk, Dalhousie Square, Sudder Street and Burra Bazaar. It is also known as the central business district (CBD) of the city.
• South Kolkata - Alipore, Ballygunge, Lansdowne, New Alipore, Tollygunge, Bhowanipore, Lake Gardens, Jodhpur Park, Jadavpur, Golf Green, and Kasba.
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The suburbs of the city are Behala, Garden Reach, Kudghat, Thakurpukur, Bansdroni, Ranikuthi, Garia, and Baghajatin.
Kolkata Sightseing
The main tourist attractions of Kolkata are:
• Victoria Memorial : Landmark of Kolkata, this marvel was built to commemorate the 25 years of reign of queen Victoria on India. This edifice of pre independence era is located at the Southern end of 'The Maidan'. And is a perfect blend of Mughal and British architecture style.
• The Maidan : It is known as "Lungs of the City" and is one of the finest gift of Britishers.
• BBD Bagh (Dalhousie Square) : It is named after three martyrs Benoy- Badal and Dinesh. It is the main commercial hub of Kolkata and is worth a visit.
• Writers Building : Presently home to secretariat of West Bengal Government, this building was built for the writers of East India Company who worked and lived there.
• Fort Williams : It is situated at the bank of river Hooghli and is octagon shaped. It houses a museum displaying arms and photographs of Burma campaign and a section on people and handicraft of Northeast India.
• Shahid Minar (Ochterlony Monument) : Named in the memory of freedom fighters of India,
• Rabindra Sadan : It is a seat of Bengali culture with a theater cum concert hall and 'Nandan', a film center, located nearby. The Bangla Akademi and the Kolkata Information Center are also situated in the vicinity.
• Jorashanko Thakurbari : Located on the Rabindra Bharati University Campus, this home of Rabindra Nath Tagore was a major center for Bengali art and culture during nineteenth century. A forty-five minutes light and sound show on the life of Tagore family is held here in the evening.
• Birla Planetarium : Established in 1962 it is one of the largest planetarium of the world. Stars and constellations are projected on the ceiling of the planetarium.
• Indian Museum: Initially part of Asiatic society, the museum has sixty galleries of six departments of art, archeology, zoology, botany, geology and archaeology. It is situated on J. Nehru Road and is popularly known as 'Jadu Ghar '(magic house).
• Marble Palace : Built by Raja Rajendra Mullick in 1835 this gothic mansion has ornate objects collected from auctions
• Vidyasagar Setu : It is situated South of Howrah bridge on the river Hooghli. Its construction work took 22 years and costed Rs 3.88 billion. It is 457m long and 115m wide and has 100m deep foundations.
• The Academy of Fine Arts : It reflects the rich artistic skill and creative imagination of the people of West Bengal. Representing the artistic fervor of the state, The Academy of Fine Arts displays the intellectual caliber of the artists who express their inner most feeling through the beautiful paintings.
• National Library : This library located in 'Summer House' of Prince Azim-Us-Shan, the Viceroy of Bengal and Bihar, was inaugurated by Lord Curzon in January 1903. At that time it was named Metcalf hall and was renamed as National Library in 1948. It has over two million books and half million documents.
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Sacred Sites
• Kalighat Kali Temple : It is one of the 52 'Shakti Peetham' of India and is a major site of 'Shakti' worship.
• Tarapith Temple :Kolkata does not let down even religious people. There are many such places where you can feel the spiritual serene.
Kali is regarded as one of the principal deities of Bengal. Kali is a powerful and complex goddess with multiple forms. The Divine can be manifested in many different forms, with various roles and personalities.
Various parts of Sati's body are said to have fallen, in the course of Shiva's Rudra Tandava and constitute the various Shakti peethams all through the whole India.
Tarapith is regarded as one of the 52 Shakti Peethams of India.
Some 264 km from Kolkata, Tarapith is situated on the banks of the north flowing Dwarka River, in Birbhum, in West Bengal.
• Dakshineshwar Kali Temple : This temple built by Rani Rashmoni in 1847 is situated on other side of river Hooghli and is dedicated to Goddess Bhavatarini, a form of Goddess Kali. It also houses statues of other deities such as Shiva, Radha-Krishan and Sita-Ram. It is one of the largest temples in Kolkata. There are nine main temples dedicated to Goddess Kali and twelve shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Birla Mandir : The architecture of the temple is a perfect blend of traditional artistry and modern technology.
• Armenian Church : It was built in 1724 by Cavond, an Armenian and is one of the oldest churches in Kolkata.
• St. Paul's Cathedral : It was built between 1839 and 1847 in Indo-Gothic style
• Nakhoda Mosque : It is located on north of BBD Bagh and is the largest mosque of Kolkata. The present structure of the mosque was built by Osman in 1942.
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The Green Lungs
• Eden Gardens : It was named after Emily and Fanny Eden, sisters of Lord Auckland. It is situated at Northwest corner of The Maidan. The famous Eden Gardens stadium also lies with in the Garden.
• Zoological Gardens : Situated south of the Maidan, along Belvedere road,it was opened in 1875.
Amusement Parks
• Science City : Located in Eastern part of Kolkata, it is a first venture of its kind in
• NICCO Park : Situated in Salt Lake City in Northeastern part,it is Disneyland of Kolkata. It is popularly known as 'Jheel Meel'.
• Aquatica : As the name suggests it is a Waterpark. It is situated at Kochkupur. It is waterlovers' haven.
• Millennium Park : Situated on the bank of river Ganga on Strand Road it is a real paradise for nature lovers. One can experience the waves of Ganga along with the scenic beauty of the park.
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Museums
• Asutosh Museum : Established in 1937, this museum of Calcutta university has collection of art objects with special emphasis on Bengali folk art.
• Nehru Children's Museum : This museum situated on Chowringhee road has models depicting the Hindu epics namely the Ramayana and the Mahabharta.
• Birla Industrial and Technological Museum : This museum is funded by philanthropist Birlas. It has a fine collection of sculptures and modern art as well as some interesting medieval specimens.
• Netaji Museum : Situated in Netaji Bhavan this museum houses large collection of material related to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Avoid going here during Netaji birth week that is around 23rd January because at this time of the year there is a very heavy rush.
Get Aways
If you are tired of the hustle-bustle of the city then there are many places nearby this 'City of Procession' to which you can give a shot.
The red soil of Birbhum, the green forest, the fresh air, the beautiful scenario of the bank of river Kopai, the remnant of Khoai created by rainfall during monsoon attract travelers by its own beauty.
The people of the district are very innocent and dear to everyone. Rabindranath Tagore's Visva-Bharati Vishyavidyalaya is the main attraction of the place. It is an International University and a great center of Oriental education and culture.
Basanta Utsav is a colorful festivals for all Indians and known as Holi. It occurs at the end of winter when spring comes with its beauty. Falgun and Chaitra according to the Bengali calendar is the season of Dol utsav.
• Bandel : The ancient place of Bandel has been a witness to many different kinds of cultures and civilizations. The present day Bandel bears relics to the rich historical heritage and cultural legacies of the bygone golden eras. Representing the varied cultural traditions of the ancient times, Bandel has gained a world wide popularity because of the famous Bandel Church.
Constructed in the unique architectural style of the Portuguese, the Bandel Church attracts several devotees from different religious communities. The interior of the Church is decorated with beautiful chandeliers. The colored glass windows of the Bandel Church adds to the glory of the religious monument.
According to a religious and historical legend, a ship had survived a deadly sea storm by the divine intervention of Lady Virgin. To immortalize this unusual event the captain of the ship had gifted the huge mast which still finds a place within the holy premises of the church. The statue of one Lady of Happy Voyage is worshiped by the devotees with intense devotion and dedication. The sole reminiscent of the Portugese rule in the area, the Bandel Church portrays the glorious past of the region.
• Diamond Harbor : It is a perfect getaway from Kolkata. You can get river cruise from this place and spend the whole day in the lap of river Hoogli. It also offers best beach resorts around Kolkata.
• Sunderbans : This world heritage site is the only home of the most ferocious animal, the royal Bengal tiger, on earth. This largest delta of world is also habitat to Cheetal. Visitor can get to see rare birds like Brown Winged Kingfisher, Swamp Patridge, Grey Heades Lapwing, Mangove Whistler and many other exotic birds.
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• Nabadwip : It is a popular pilgrimage center for the devotees of Krishna. Nabadwip lies on the western side of the river Bhagirathi at a distance of about 20 K.M. from Krishnagar and it is associated with birth of Lord Sri. Chaitanya and the advent of the Vaishnab religion in Bengal.
• Bishnupur : It is a town in the Bankura District of West Bengal about 132 km from Kolkata. It is famous for its terracotta temples and baluchari sarees.
The history of Bishnupur can be traced back to 694 AD, when King Raghunath I founded the Malla dynasty. However it was much later in 994 AD that the place was named Bishnupur. The name is derived from the name of the Hindu God ‘Vishnu'. The majority of the people belong to the ‘Vaishnava' sect.
• North Bengal & Hill Stations : North Bengal is truly a treasure hunt for the nature lovers, especially for those who are looking for a periodical escape from the hectic chores of the modern city life. Lying in the Northern half of the State of West Bengal and encircled by international boundaries of Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, North Bengal offers a unique combination of varied landscape - from high mountainous region in the extreme north to the vast Gangetic plains in the extreme south.
The geographical diversity blended with the cultures of different ethnic groups has placed North Bengal in the most treasured tourist destinations in Northeast India. North Bengal comprises of six districts- Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Coochbihar, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Malda.
