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.