West Bengal, which is located on the eastern part of the Indian peninsula, is a region that is home to an astonishing variety of landscapes as well as cultures. For visitors, the state has an unparalleled combination of natural splendour, historical landmarks, scenic hill stations, protected areas for native wildlife, and cultural treasures. The state is a physical representation of the whole of the nation; the Darjeeling Mountains are located in the state’s northern region, while the plains are located in the state’s southernmost region. The image is finished off with the inclusion of the Ganga River as well as the dry western parts of the state.
The weavers, painters, and printers of West Bengal are renowned for the creative quality of their work with silk. The state is also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, the most notable of which may be found in the extraordinary marshes of Sunderbans. There are a total of 15 animal sanctuaries, 5 national parks, and 2 tiger reserves located within the state. The state capital of West Bengal, Kolkata, is known across India as a “culture cockpit.” One of the most significant cities in India, Kolkata is not only a cosmopolitan metropolis but also one that has been home to prominent figures throughout history.
Main Tourist Attractions of West Bengal, India
The Maidan
The Maidan, which literally translates to “big field,” is a focal point of activity in the city of Kolkata and has a total land area of more than 988 acres. This region is home to a plethora of playgrounds and is blanketed in thick, verdant greenery. One of the playgrounds here is the illustrious Eden Gardens, which is well-known in the field of cricket. Locals prefer spending their weekends there because of its huge size, which is covered by stunning foliage, and big plain playgrounds. It is a great site for them to spend their time playing games and resting amid the natural beauty of the area.
Fort Williams
Fort Williams, which was established in 1781 and is still standing today, is seen as one of the most enduring symbols of British control in India. The construction of this fort took place under Robert Clive’s direction, and it bears the distinction of being the only fort in history from which not a single shot was fired. The Eastern Command of the Indian Army is located here in this fort as of today.
Indian Museum
The Indian Museum was established in 1814, making it not only one of the oldest museums in the world but also one of the largest museums in the nation. The museum is comprised of almost sixty galleries. Every single gallery may be found in any one of the six categories. The following topics are covered in these sections: art, anthropology, archaeology, geology, zoology, and industry. One may see relics from India’s prehistoric era as well as a wide variety of art styles that have been acquired from countries all over the globe in this museum.
Victoria Memorial
The Victoria Memorial is a relic that serves as a poignant reminder of the glory that was the British Empire. The structure is a unique synthesis of Mughal and European architectural styles, and it was fashioned out of white marble throughout its construction. The monument has a total area of 64 acres and contains a number of artefacts from the time period of the British Empire. There are more than three thousand items in Queen Victoria’s personal collection. Beautifully planted gardens may be seen just next to the main structure.
Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens of Kolkata are renowned for being the largest in all of India. They were first opened to the public in 1786. The gardens include a substantial land area of 272 acres and are brimming with verdant flora of all shades of green. A wide range of plant life makes its home in the lush vegetation. You are looking at the banyan tree that is 250 years old and is standing right in the middle of the gardens here. Other beautiful flowering and fruiting species, as well as aquatic plants, may be found here. Some examples are the Victoria Amazonica tree, coconut trees, bamboo trees, orchids, and a great deal more besides.
Kalighat Temple
The Kalighat Temple, which can be found close to the Hoogly River, is, as the name implies, dedicated to the goddess Kali. Because Kali is venerated beyond all other deities in Bengal and is regarded for being both a destroyer and a liberator, she is always represented as an angry and brave goddess. The temple has been standing for 200 years and is counted as one of India’s sacred “Shakti Peeths.”
Dakshinenshwar Temple
Rasmani, a wealthy and recently widowed queen, commissioned the construction of the Dakshineshwar Temple in the year 1855. The temple was designed in the Navaratna architectural style and is dedicated to the goddess Kali. There are 12 shrines devoted to Lord Shiva located inside the compound of the temple. This location is particularly notable for being the spot where Ram Krishna Paramahamsa, a well-known spiritual leader from all over the globe, had his enlightening experience.
Belur Math
Belur Math may be reached by travelling a distance of around 3 kilometres from the Dakshinenshwar Temple. It is well known among the locals as a place of pilgrimage. One may take in the sights of a number of monasteries and temples here, as well as get an up-close look at the administrative offices of the Ram Krishna Mission and the Ram Krishna Math.
Shanti Niketan
Shanti Niketan is situated around 136 kilometres to the northwest of Kolkata, making it seem like a world removed from the noise and filth of the metropolis. Rabindranath Tagore was the one who initiated the project in 1921. The Vishwa Bharti University in Shanti Niketan is organised around the Uttarayan complex of buildings and maintains complete compatibility with its natural environment across the campus. The Kala Bhawan, the Sangeet Bhawan, and the Chini Bhawan are the three most important structures in the compound.
Sunderban Tiger Reserve
Sunderban, which can be found to the southeast of Kolkata, is home to the largest delta in the whole globe. This delta is created when three rivers — the Ganga, the Brahmaputra, and the Meghna — meet at a point of convergence. This deltaic area is covered with thick mangrove forests all throughout. They are also home to the Royal Bengal Tiger as well as other wildlife like as cheetal deers and cheetahs, as well as aquatic animals such as crocodiles and rare kinds of birds such as the Swamp Patridge, Brown winged Kingfisher, Mangrove whistler, and many more.
Diamond Harbor
The Diamond Harbor, which is a component of the Diamond city and can be found around 48 kilometres away from Kolkata, is well-known for being a tranquil escape from the chaos of the metropolis. Diamond Harbor is well known throughout Indian history for its role as an important port for British ships during the time of British colonial authority. This role earned the harbour its fame. River cruises, trips to significant locations such as the Ram Krishna Mission Ashram, and excursions to the ruins of a Portuguese fort are among activities that may be experienced here.
Adina Masjid
In the year 1374, the Sultan Sikander Shah, who belonged to the Ilyas Shahi dynasty, oversaw the construction of the Adina Masjid. It is widely acknowledged to be the biggest mosque ever constructed in the state of West Bengal. The design is reminiscent of the architecture of the Great Mosque in Damascus. Although much of the mosque is now in ruins, its original construction had vast prayer rooms that were separated into sections by aisles. More than 250 pillars supported a total of 387 dome-covered bays throughout the structure. It is also possible to visit the Badshah ka takht, which is claimed to be the location of the Tomb of Sikander Shah.
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary
Within the Jalpaiguri area is where you’ll find the Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located around 124 kilometres away from Siliguri. Inaugurated in the year 1941, the sanctuary was constructed as part of an attempt to save one-horned rhinos as well as a variety of other species of wildlife. The protected area is characterised by woodlands similar to those found in savannahs and is blanketed in extensive expanses of tall grass. There are Bengal tigers, wild boars, and bisons that may be seen in this area. In addition to the one-horned rhinos, additional attractions include elephants, deers, and a variety of unique kinds of birds.
Darjeeling
This hill station is well-known for its production of tea, and it also takes pride in the fact that the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has been designated a World Heritage Site. The city of Darjeeling is rich with spectacular natural beauty due to its location in the Himalayan mountain range. Darjeeling, being a hill station, has a lot to offer, and many of its locations are very gorgeous. In addition to this, it has a variety of exciting hiking and climbing tracks. On a day with good skies, it is possible to see Mount Everest from its highest peak.
