Bardhaman | West Bengal |

Bardhaman | West Bengal |

"For the believer and the skeptic and the historian and the nature lover"

With a convergence of religion, nature, man-made marvels and the proverbial old world charm, Bardhaman is the ideal fit for a weekend getaway. Take a group comprising the most diverse people. Even with nothing else being common, they will all agree on one thing- Bardhaman's Splendor. Perhaps the only place in India that will manage to appease every mind and mindset, this Unique Bengali town has an air of its own.

Best Time To Visit

Surprisingly, Bardhaman doesn't see very harsh temperatures in any part of the year. The summers are warm, and winters are cool. However, the temperature never gets unbearable. The worst in summers is well below 35 degrees Celcius and the lowest in winters is never below 10 degrees Celcius. Still, it being a holiday, you should get to experience the best weather. Hence, the ideal time is from November to March, excluding January and February.

Nabadwip | West Bengal |

Nabadwip | West Bengal |

"The Land of Krishna Devotion"

Blanketed away in the commotion of West Bengal, Nabadwip - Mayapur is a cluster of nine islands located on the banks of Ganges. This place is one of those few religious shrines whose spirit of devotion is palpable. The scattered forests, orchids and winding paths leading to small villages give you an excellent sense of peace. With almost 200 temples concentrated in this small rural setting, Navadwipa is God's own land, in every sense of the term. It is unaffected by economy, industry and futile activity. The place is untouched by tides of time and is a perfect treat for your aesthetic sense and devotion. It doesn't matter which faith you believe in, this land of Lord Chaitanya (reincarnation of Lord Krishna) will enthrall you like nothing else.

Best Time To Visit

The place experiences all the seasons. The summers are generally hot and temperatures can shoot up to as high as 40 degrees Celsius. Winters tend to get chilly with temperatures as low as 8 degrees Celsius. Since a trip to Navadwipa would involve heavy outdoor excursion, it's most feasible to travel in days when the weather is pleasant. An ideal time would be in the months of October-November and February-March. The Navadwipa Mandala Parikrama organised by ISKCON Mayapur is especially popular among-st the devotees so do take a look online before deciding a time of visit.

Mayapur | West Bengal |

Mayapur | West Bengal |

Standing at the junction of river Ganga and Jalangi, Mayapur is a laidback city with lovely views and plenty of temples, making it ideal for multitudes of team. Mayapur is a popular Vaishnavite pilgrim centre founded by Bhakti saint Vinod Thakur. It is believed that Lord Krishna's incarnate Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was born here in 1486 AD. Mayapur is famous for Chandrodaya Temple (first temple established by ISKCON in Mayapur), Samadhi of Prabhupada (temple dedicated to the founder of ISKCON), Shree Chaitanyamath (the birth place of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu), Goswami Maharaj Temple of Dashavatar and Chand Kazi's Samadhi. Located on the banks of confluence of Hooghly river and Jalangi, Mayapur is a religious centre and one of the nine dhams of the 9 holy islands. The 9 islands together looks like an eight-petaled lotus flower and are called Navadwipa which was earlier capital of Bengal. The islands are centered on Antardvipa (Mayapur) and are a part of Mayapur Township. Navadvipa is a famous temple town with about 185 temples. It is a place where all beliefs, Shaiva, Vaishnava and Buddhist converge and exist in harmony.

Itachuna Rajbari | West Bengal |

Itachuna Rajbari  | A Heritage of West Bengal |

Itachuna Rajbari is a century old Rajbari and a perfect heritage resort in Hooghly district, about an hour drive from Kolkata. The place, a modern village offers a perfect blend of nature and modernity to unwind in a royal ambience. The Rajbari is a place where history resides and you can feel its princely presence. The Rajbari is divided into five mahallas – a village courthouse, a ballet dancing hall, kitchen house, guest house and an andar mahal for ladies. It has one of the largest family temples of the Rajbaris of Bengal. The family deity ‘Shreedhar Jeeu’ is still offered prayers four times a day, with occasional mass gatherings in the plush courtyard. In the backyard of the Rajbari, a lush green area, erstwhile ‘Khamar Bari’, now converted to an outdoor shooting area. An adjoining pond with idyllic jungle is a hotspot for get-togethers.

Malda (Gour) | West Bengal |

Malda (Gour) | West Bengal |

If you are in the mood to revisit your roots, Malda is the picture perfect place for you. Located at the confluence of the rivers Mahanadi and Kalindi, in the interiors of West Bengal, about 350 km from Kolkata, the charming town of Malda is popular not only for its mango orchards but also for its rich history and heritage. Malda literarily has Indian History written into every street and every corner of the city Mango, silk and jute are popular products of the district. Mulberry plantations and mango orchards occupy a large area.

Jhargram & Chilkigarh | West Bengal |

Jhargram & Chilkigarh | West Bengal |

Jhargram is small city located in the state of West Bengal with a rich historical and cultural background. Surrounded by dense forests this place is mystical. A perfect place to spend few days in the lap of nature surrounded by friendly tribal population, you are bound to be mesmerized not only by its picturesque beauty but by the gregarious people who inhabit this place. The chirpings of birds will make your heart swell with happiness and you will feel as if you are in paradise.

Jhargram was founded by Sarveshwar Singh of the Chauhan clan of Rajputs from Fatehpur Sikri in Rajputana. He became the king and called his capital Jhargram. Jhargram means a forest village circumscribed by canals and walls. The locals call it Ugal.

Jhargram is a place where humans live in harmony with the flora and fauna without any disturbance. The place is full of beautiful and thick trees and medicinal plants. A number of birds including some of the rare and migratory birds can be seen perched on these trees. The dense forests is home of many species like bear, peacock, rabbits.

Chilkigarh Rajbari is located 1.5 km away from the Kanak Durga temple and located another side of Dulung River, after visiting this place most people feel that this is most historically rich place after Kanak Durga temple.

Gongoni | Grand Canyon of West Bengal |

Gongoni | West Bengal |

Grand Canyon of West Bengal

On the outskirts of the Garhbeta town in West Medinipur district of West Bengal, lies a beautiful anomaly of nature. The plain landscape that marks the area of West Bengal is disrupted here by tall gorges formed over thousands of years by the Silabati River. The wide red soil gorge is locally called 'Gongoni Danga' or 'Gongoni Khola'. Formed after a long period of natural soil erosion and river movement, the Gangani Gorge is a beautiful and unique marvel that is frequented by locals and tourists alike.

Just a few hours away from Kolkata, Gangani is a destination that brings together a stunning coalition of green forests, sandstone hills and fertile riverbeds. When monsoons arrive, the Silabati River can be seen flowing through the Gangani (Gongoni) Gorge, which is known to resemble the Grand Canyon of Arizona. Government authorities recently built a staircase at the highest point of Gangani that goes all the way down to the river, and when it’s not raining, you can even cross the river on foot as the water is not too deep.

Andul Rajbari | Howrah | West Bengal |

Andul Rajbari | Howrah |

A heritage of Howrah 

The Andul Rajbari which is locally popular as Ananda Dham is a popular tourist destination in Howrah district of West Bengal. We planned a short trip to visit the Andul Rajbari recently. One fine monsoon morning we hired a car and reached Andul. Sri Chaitanya during his holy journey set his steps in Dakshin Nabadwip. And the place came to be known as Andul which etymologically comes from “ Ananda Dhuli” meaning the holy dust from the foot of Lord Chaitanya.

Raj Bari

From main road , it took us around 10-15 minutes to find the Andul Rajbari winding past the narrow roads crowded by innumerable shops. The royal structure adorned by massive pillars in the front and a large open field greeted us. The open field is the place where the fairs take place on relevant occasions. The Rajbari, disperse over 10 bighas and containing more than 100 rooms, could be reached in about 10 mins in the Andul station in a cycle rickshaw.  The building is in dilapidated state now but the huge structure and lofty pillars talk of the affluence the royal family needs to have enjoyed in the past.  It’s heartbreaking to witness the neglect and ill-maintenance that is driving the grand heritage building into ruins.  The large open ground in front of this Rajbari has now been transformed into a football playing ground for the locals.

Deulti | Howrah | West Bengal |

Deulti | Howrah | West Bengal |

Abode of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay

This is the birthplace of famous Bengali novelist Sarat Chandra Chattopadhya (author of Devdas and other novels). Deulti is a romantic rural escape, far from the bustling city life, located at 60 km from Kolkata and well connected via roads and railway. This serene retreat is located at about 6 Km towards the western part of Bagnan in the Howrah district of West Bengal. The village of Deulti, nestled on the riverbank of Rupnarayan, is a popular sightseeing destination of Howrah. It is an ideal weekend getaway from Kolkata if you love the calm mysticism of the village. Therefore, there must be little wonder why your effervescent excitement will drive you to Deulti in that case. You can spend a lovely weekend here and enjoy the quiet! You will love the serene natural set up surrounding the village which is a perfect vacation spot, cradled on the bank of the Rupnarayan river. Travelers who are interested in the culture and heritage of Bengal, especially about the literature, can visit this interesting place to cater to their taste in Bengal and its natural surroundings.

You will definitely be astonished by savoring the panoramic view of the natural surrounding of this serene village of Deulti. The charming calls and chirps of different kinds of birds from behind the flora and foliage will offer you immense pleasure. You will relish a stroll along the narrow clay path cutting across the paddy field that will direct to the bank of river Rupnarayan. The mesmeric view of the River Rupnarayan will unquestionably captivate your mind.

Bawali | 24 PGS (S) | West Bengal |

Bawali | 24 PGS (S) | West Bengal |

Just 35 km away from Kolkata, Bawali is the place to curl up with a book or to seat on the farmhouse balcony overlooking the green paddy fields and ponds or going for long village walks . In the evenings, you can sit around a campfire and chat with your friends and family. Children are guided by trained people to climb trees and pluck fruits at the farmhouse orchard. Tree houses in the farm are great attractions for children.

Best Time To Visit

Anytime of the year.

Bishnupur | Bankura | West Bengal |

Bishnupur | Bankura | West Bengal |

Bishnupur is a town of terracotta temples, legend weavers and Bishnupur Gharana of Hindustani Classical Music. Just 132 km from Kolkata, Bishnupur was the capital of the Malla Kings of  Mallabhum for almost a thousand years. The patronage of the Malla Kings made Bishnupur one of the principle centers of culture in Bengal. Bishnupur developed a unique form of architecture and has perhaps the most brilliant and detailed terracotta work in Eastern India that has endured the ravages of time. The Malla rulers were Vaishnavites and built the famous terracotta temples. The terracotta temples here are the best specimen of the classical style of Bishnupuriya architecture. Baluchari Saree, another indigenous product of Bishupur, is an exquisite creation of Bishnupuriya weavers.

Terakota Work

Khoai Sonajhuri Forest | Bolpur | West Bengal |

Khoai Sonajhuri Forest | Bolpur |

Whenever we plan a weekend to Shantiniketan its Visva Bharati which comes to our mind. But next time it could be Khoai which is a ecological formation of small canyons resulting from constant erosion caused by wind and water. The Khoai Shantiniketan region in Bolpur is marked by a patch of dry forest of Sonajhuri trees on an eroded landscape of red laterite soil. This unique look of the forest was immortalised by Rabindranath Tagore in many of his compositions. The Sonajhuri forest in Khoai is surrounded by the famous Kopai River, the river to which all Bengalis are introduced as “Amader Choto Nodi......” . The weekend to Khowai is incomplete without a visit to the Saturday Haat, where artisans of Shantiniketan sell their wonderful artefacts sitting in the forest.

Mukutmanipur | Bankura | West Bengal |

Mukutmanipur | Bankura | West Bengal | 

Mukutmanipur is a town in Bankura district of West Bengal. It is located at the confluence of the Kangsabati and Kumari rivers, close to the Jharkhand border. India’s second largest earthen dam and an incredibly beautiful lake created by the dam, nestled among thickly forested hillocks, worth a trip.


Place Of Interest 

A guided cycling tour is the best way to go exploring on land while a boat ride on the sprawling lake is ideal way to explore the nearby islands. Rock climbing, trekking, fishing are adventures offered by the undulating environs surrounding the village. About 2 kms from the lake is the Bangopalpur Reserve Forest, a home to many species of flora and fauna. There is also a deer park by the side of the water reservoir. The island of Banpukuria Mrigadab, teeming with Mahua, Kendu and Palash trees, is a must-see. A round boat trip to Banpukuria Mrigadab and back takes around four hours. The village also presents great opportunities to delve into the rich folk culture and interesting craftsmanship. Song, dance and festivity are integral part of the lifestyle of the Santal and Munda tribal folk. Tourists have an opportunity to appreciate and learn about the craft, culture and heritage of the host community.

Ayodhya Pahar | Purulia | West Bengal |

Ayodhya Pahar | Purulia | West Bengal |

Ayodhya Hills is an extension of the Dolma Hills of Jharkhand. It is an extremely picturesque getaway with hills, dales, tall trees, springs, tranquil lakes, a river and clear blue skies. A visit to beautiful waterfalls, deep forests, tribal villages, Gorshabru and Mayur hill are sure to captivate your senses. The presence of a variety of wild animals in the forests makes this place more adventurous. Visiting hidden waterfalls, trekking around azure lakes guarded by hills, experiencing local tribal culture, bird watching and taking village walks make Ayodhya Hills a treasure trove for photographers and nature-lovers.

Best Time Of Visit

During September to March Ayodhya Hills get a chill in the wind and clear skies. Specially, February and March puts a vibrant show of Palash flowers and early October gives a show of Kash phool. But the monsoons shroud the place in endless greenery and the floating dark clouds over the green hills and gushing waterfalls make a spectacle worthy for lifelong travelers.

Santiniketan Bolpur | West Bengal |

Santiniketan Bolpur | West Bengal |

"Rabindranath Tagore's Eternal Abode"

Shantiniketan is a neighbourhood of Bolpur city in Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum district in West Bengal, India, approximately 165 km north of Kolkata. Known to few, mainly as Rabindranath Tagore's home and now a university, Santiniketan is a small town located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. The town comprises mainly of Visva Bharati University. The University was set up by Rabindranath Tagore's father and later popularized by him to radically change the concept of education in India. Today, this beautifully laid out university and small sleepy town has acquired the status of a unique tourist haven, where lines of knowledge and aesthetic brilliance merge.

Best Time To Visit

Poush Mela

Poush Mela is the occasion when Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, along with twelve others, adopted the Brahmo. The Mela is the remembrance of this very day on the 7th Day of the Poush month. The fair is a perfect example of the amalgamation of different culture and traditions. Performances by students of Santiniketan are what lie in store for you if you happen to visit the place in December. The famous Poush Mela is organised in the city of Shantiniketan, which is a small town in the Birbhum district of the Indian state of West Bengal. The precise location of the fair was the ground opposite to the Brahma temple in Shantiniketan in the initial years of its celebration. However, now it occurs in the field in Purbapalli.

Bibhuti Bhushan Wildlife Sanctuary | West Bengal |

Bibhuti Bhushan Wildlife Sanctuary | West Bengal |

Bibhuti Bhushan Wildlife Sanctuary locally known as Parmadan Sanctuary is just over three hours drive from Kolkata and is popular for deer, snakes and varied species of birds. Located on the banks of Ichamati River, you can take a lazy country boat ride through the forest or a refreshing jungle stroll watching the friendly deer prance around. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1980 to pay tribute to the famous Bengali writer Bibhutibhusan Bandhyopadhay. The Sanctuary has a deer population of more than 250 and a heaven for bird spotters. You will get to see peacocks, woodpeckers, sankhacheel, nilkhantha, fultusi and many others. The Sanctuary is also an abode of   monkeys, tortoise, and comprises of trees such as shishu, minjiri, tut, arjun, shimul, shishir, bamboo and many others. The river Ichamati crisscrosses the forest and a boat ride takes you to the entire Sanctuary.

River Ichamati

Best Time To Visit

The forest can be visited throughout the year but it is better to avoid the forest during the rainy season as most of the parts are flooded during that monsoon months. The winters bring many birds to the forest. Hence winters months are the best time.

How To Reach

The nearest railhead is Bongaon. Local trains are available from Sealdah in Kolkata. From Bongaon you will have to take a rickshaw to Motiganj. From Motiganj take a Duttafuli bound bus and get down at Naldugri. Parmadan is about 3 kms from Naldugri. You will also get Duttafuli bound buses from Ranaghat also (20 km). By Road Parmadan is 33 km from Bongaon ( India-Bangladesh border ) and 110 km from Kolkata. Buses: CSTC buses for Naldugri are available from Esplande Bus Terminal. From Motiganj take a Duttafuli bound bus and get down at Naldugri. Parmadan is about 3 kms from Naldugri.

Achipur (Chinese Temple) | Budge Budge | West Bengal |

Achipur (Chinese Temple) | West Bengal |

Achipur, a hamlet on the banks of the Hooghly, is just like any other Bengal village. But 300 years ago, this village, 30 km from Taratala, bustled with activity and was dominated by the Chinese people . This was the first Chinese settlement in the country. On every Chinese New Year’s Day and for the rest of that month, Achipur turns into a mini Chinatown. Thousands gather at the Chinese temple here, especially on Sundays, to celebrate the new year. Recently the members of Kolkata’s Chinese community have pooled in nearly 50 lakh rupees to restore the temple and build boarding and lodging facilities for the community. East India Company documents show that a Chinese trader called Atchew Tong sailed into the village in the second decade of the 18th century and settled down. Others soon followed him. Atchew started a sugar plantation attached with a mill in the village.

Best  Time To Visit

The best time to visit this place is during the 2nd week of February that is during the celebration of Chinese New Year. During this period a fair is held which is visited by a major part of the Chinese community. At that time, you can also get a glimpse of Chinese culture.

Bandel Church | West Bengal |

Bandel Church | West Bengal |

Bandel Church is one of the oldest churches in India and is also known as Basilica of the Holy Rosary. The church was built in 1599 to commemorate the settlement of Portuguese in West Bengal. The church is dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus Christ. She is also known as Our Lady of the Rosary and that’s why the church got the name.

Bandel town was established by Portuguese and it is situated in the Indian state of West Bengal. The name Bandel means port. The town comes under Hooghly district. Portuguese built a church and a monastery in 1660. There is a Dunlop factory nearby Bandel which is situated at a place called Sahaganj. The town is 40 km away from Howrah railway station and is connected to many places through road and rail transport.

Visiting Hours

Bandel Church can be visited from 6:00am to 6:00pm. It takes around two to three hours to visit the church as there are many things to visit in and around the church. The church is opened on all days including the public holidays.

Best time to visit

Bandel is situated nearby Hooghly river and the best time to visit the place is during winter months. In the rest of the period, the climate is either hot or is hot and humid. The period between 25th December and 10th January are very busy and people may face parking issue. On 25th December the church is closed for the tourists as Christians have to perform many rituals.

Taki | West Bengal |

Taki | West Bengal |

Taki is  just a 2 hour distance from Kolkata. It is located in the banks of the Ichamati river. On the other side of the Ichamati river is Bangladesh. Taki is the land of Zamindars. Once there were palatial houses in Taki, however, all of them are now in dilapidated condition. There is 129 acre Machranga Island which you can visit by taking the launch service from the ferry ghat. The Ichamati river is engulfing the island at quite a pace. Another attraction of Taki, is the Durga immersion ceremony. Every year where lots of people on both sides of India and Bangladesh gather to watch the immersion ceremony. It is an auspicious time to reap harmony among people from both sides. Boats from both sides sail to Ichamati for the immersion of Durga idol.

Best time to visit

Taki can be visited any time of the year. However, the most suitable time to visit Taki is during the winter season, especially due to the original jaggery or Patali Gur available there. Another time to visit, which is equally memorable, is to watch the Goddess Durga immersion following the Durga puja. This is a spectacular event in Taki as idols from both the countries are immersed on the waters of Ichamati together.