Showing posts with label West Bengal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label West Bengal. Show all posts

Wednesday, 18 June 2014

Bakkhali is located on one of the many deltaic islands spread across southern Bengal. Most of the islands are part of the Sunderbans, barring a few at the fringes. Some of these are joined together with bridges over narrow creeks. This small island juts out into the vast expanse of the Bay of Bengal.
 There is a 7 km long beach stretching from Bakkhali to Frasergunj with gently rolling waves. These are twin towns now forming one continuous locality. Except on an occasional holiday the beach is not crowded. A small stretch near Bakkhali has been lighted up. It is a hard beach suitable for cycling or even driving. One can take long walks.
 “A beach to yourself” is how one would describe Bakkhali. Close to Sunderbans, it is a halcyon getaway in itself. Away from the hustle bustle of the main city.
 Bakkhali comes across as a treat to its visitors. It is lined with casuarinas and one can take advantage of a mystic sunset here. Being one of the most secluded white sand beaches in India.
 This is basically a beach town, and there are spectacular views that one can expect to find here. Bakkhali is one of the best getaway place from Kolkata. The sea waves of the Bay of Bengal are something that can offer unique experiences to the tourists.
This is considered to be the perfect place for relaxing, especially during the summers. Apart from that, monsoon is also a wonderful time to visit this place.
How to Reach 
By Bus – One needs to cover a distance of 125 km to travel to Bakkhali from Kolkata. Travellers can get into any one Kolkata to Bakkhali bus operated by the West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation (WBSTC) which starts from Dharmatala in Kolkata at 7 am, 8 am and 2 pm, taking about 5 hours of travel time.
By Train – Kolkata to Bakkhali train starts from Kolkata Sealdah station and stops at Namkhana Station from which one needs to hire a van to Ferry Ghat alternated by van and bus journeys, all which take about 4 hours of journey time.
By Road – Kolkata to Bakkhali distance is only about 125 kilometres. This means that Kolkata to Bakkhali by road travel is very easy as the roads are very open and not congested at all. Travelling from Kolkata to Bakkhali by car takes just about 4 hours.
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Bakkhali - West Bengal – India

Location: West Bengal, India

Saturday, 7 June 2014

A relatively unexplored destination, Mandarmani is a seaside village located in the East Midnapore district of the Indian state, West Bengal. The Mandarmani Beach stretches to about 13 kilometres and has a serene environment that attracts tourists who wish to enjoy their moments of solitude.
 Mandarmani is a beach in South Bengal. It is known as the longest motor able beach of India.Pristine and relatively tourist free, it is situated 180 kms from kolkata. Quaint fishing boats dot the beach and give it an old world air. Go to this beach if you like to spend a quiet holiday without doing too many things. If you are the busy sort who likes to keep doing something then it is not for you. Read a book, drink some local coconut water r simply laze around.
 The journey from Kolkata to Mandarmani is not at all boring and all throughout the way you will be able to see wonderful scenery of rural Bengal. Most of these are cultivation land so you will get to see a perfect example of a day in a life of a farmer in this country.
 This is literally a virgin beach. The loneliness of the beach makes one meet nature in various forms. On the beach one will undoubtedly get the chance to feel the divinity and tranquility. If that’s not enough to please your senses, then roll on the sand and listen to the waves crashing upon the shore, which will surely refresh your body and mind. Relax, swim and enjoy every moment of your stay at the beach. The moment you get tired you can cool down with green coconut water. You are not likely to have many visitors around and that’s the beauty of this beach. Just spend the days gazing around swooping birds and singing waves. Don’t forget to rejuvenate yourself by sunbathing here.
 Mandarmani has always been just a small village of some fishermen in East Midnapore  Few scattered huts of the fishermen, some dykes for prawn culture, long, flat beach, endless tranquility and peace this was Mandarmani in short.
 People visiting Mandarmani Beach would be amazed by the serenity that it offers, along with some marvellous views of the sunset.
 The spectacular view of the rising and setting sun will definitely indulge you to fall in love with nature. The whole surroundings transforms into a reddish hued fairy tale like atmosphere which is a unique experience to cherish lifelong.
How to Reach 
By Air
The nearest airport is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Intl Airport in Kolkata, located about 183 km from Mandarmani. The airport is well connected by flights to Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bengaluru. From the airport taxi services are available for Mandarmani.
By Train
The nearest railway station is at Digha. Trains from Howrah halt at the station. The other nearest railway station is at Contai, about 17 km away.
By Road
Mandarmani is well connected by road. One can board state-run and private buses from Esplanade, Howrah and Kolkata. Mandarmani can also be reached by road from Kolkata.
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Mandarmani - West Bengal – India

Location: West Bengal, India

Saturday, 24 May 2014

One of the most posh beaches in India, Digha awaits with a purposeful getaway itinerary for you. About 187 kms from the city of joy, Digha is connected by a number of means from Kolkata. This seas resort has a low gradient and a shallow sand beach with gentle waves extending upto 7 kms in length.
In 1923, an English tourist, John Smith was charmed by Digha's radiance and started living there. He brought the place into limelight via his writings. After independence, he convinced Bengal's chief minister to develop Digha as a beach resort.
The Digha Beach is popular for its views of the Bay of Bengal amidst the many casurina plantations along the seaside. The sea at Digha is mostly calm and shallow upto a mile off the beach, which makes its makes it safe for various marine activities like swimming, scuba diving, jet ski-ing and surfing.
The sea at Digha is serene and shallow for about a mile making it safe for swimming. The place is an absolute delight for seafood lovers; one has a variety of fresh water fishes like Ellis, Pomfret, peas and prawns to choose from.
The scenic beauty of the place is charming and enticing. The sunset  shining off the saline waters of the Bay of Bengal is something directly off an artist's frame.
Digha beach is situated in the Southern most coastline of the state of West Bengal in India. Though Digha beach is not so popular as compared to other beaches all over India, Digha is growing up as an important hotspot for tourists to spend their weekends at.
Digha is an ideal beach destination for a fun-filled holiday. The sun, sea and sand a potent combination at all times - is made all the more pleasant in Digha because it is neither too crowded nor too commercial a beach resort. Called the Brighton of the East by Warren Hastings.
Digha in West Bengal is a popular beach town. An ideal destination for a refreshing break from the city, it offers a complete holiday experience.
How to reach 
By Bus – Direct Kolkata to Digha buses are available and these are most popular as they are considered to be the most economical means of transport between Kolkata and Digha. So many government buses are providing services from Kolkata to Digha. Burdwan, Sahispur and Madhupur are the main bus stops in this route. To travel to Digha from Kolkata, it takes around 4 hours.
By Train – Kolkata to Digha trains are also available and the time take to cover the distance from Kolkata to Digha is approximately 3 hours. On most days, the Duronto Express leaves Howrah at 11:15 am and arrives at Digha in 2 hours and 30 minutes. These timings should be checked before you make travel plans in case they are changed for whatever reason.
By Cab – Kolkata to Digha by car is the fastest option to reach the destination. Kolkata to Digha distance of 190 km must be covered taking around 2 and a half hours.
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Digha- West Bengal – India

Location: West Bengal, India

Friday, 16 May 2014

Nestled in the north of West Bengal, India are the towns of Darjeeling  and New Jalpaiguri. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which is also known as the Toy Train, runs between these two towns. Running on the narrow gauge, it was built between 1879 and 1881. The distance it travels is around 78 kilometers. The most interesting part is that it travels over the elevated terrain – from about 100 meters when it begins in New Jalpaiguri to 2,200 meters when it reaches Darjeeling.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, nicknamed the "Toy Train", is a 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge railway from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling in West Bengal, run by the Indian Railways.
The toy train ride in the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (DHR) is like a sweet lullaby in the midst of a dreamland. Though much has been said about the present condition of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways and Darjeeling itself, a toy train ride through the misty tracks from Darjeeling to Kurseong will definitely rekindle the romanticism in a person.
The entire track has 13 stations in between with Ghum being the Highest one at 7404 ft. Ghum had once the honour of being the highest Railway station in the world. Though this distinction has long since gone, yet Ghum is the highest narrow gauge railway station.
The Darjeeling Himalayan railways are a living heritage. When built in 1881, the engineers of DHR had pushed technology to the limit of what conventional railways were capable of that time. The engineers used various techniques such as loops and reverses to move through the difficult domain through which the train would pass. The steam locomotives along with all others provide a shining living heritage.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railways provided an outstanding example of the influence of ingenious transportation on the socio economic development of the region.
 DHR was ground breaking and outstanding in this case. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was thus very aptly given the status of World Heritage Site by the UNESCO on 5th December 1999.
Remarkably it also served as model for similar developments in the world. The development of the railways in the 19th century at such difficult terrains had an overwhelming impact on the social and economic development in many parts of the world.
Not much has been changed in the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways. The track has been extended to New Jalpaiguri from Siliguri. And now the trains are run mostly by diesel engines and not the erstwhile steam engines ,But steam engine runs on special occasions and from Darjeeling to Ghum via the Batasia Loop (called the Joy Ride).
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Darjeeling Himalayan Railway - West Bengal – India

Location: West Bengal, India

Thursday, 8 May 2014

Batasia means airy space. the As you stand on one side of the garden and see the toy train making a complete loop while hooting its whistle along the way and trying to negotiate the spiral track with a double loop, it's a fabulous experience. There are seating areas as well to enjoy the views. The entire area along with the gardens and an approach bridge that leads to the garden is about 50,000 square feet. It has been covered with grass and beautified with both seasonal and perennial flowers and shrubs. 
Batasia Loop was created by the British to counter such sharp descent. You won't even realize how the toy train actually descends by about 140ft as it completes the loop through a large circular area and on a gentle slope and then crosses its own track near the beginning of the loop through a tunnel below. It is considered as one of the greatest engineering feats.
The Batasia Loop is the last of the loops on this rail-route and is certainly the most beautiful as it's the highest of all loops on this track and offers great views of the Darjeeling Hills, Valley, City and the Kanchenjunga Mountain Range at a distance.
The weather at the Batasia Loop is wonderful as its chill and sunny and windy with sudden, occasional drizzles, which is a wonderful hilly experience that all Darjeeling tourists experience on their way up in the Toy Train.
This is definitely the best place to enjoy a 360 degree view of Darjeeling’s exquisite landscape including the hill town. One can also have a look at the snow covered peaks of the Eastern Himalayas combined with the majestic Kanchenjunga on one side. This together with beautiful garden with flowers around makes for an exquisite view for all.
Reach Batasia loop at nine in the morning and you'll see the most amazing spectacle ever - shopkeepers with their little makeshift stalls and curio-spreads on the railway lines wrap up their business with superb agility and speed as the Toy Train arrives to traverse this little loop.
This war memorial was constructed by the zilla sainik board, Darjeeling in memory of brave gorkha soldiers of Darjeeling hills who have laid down their lives for the country in all wars and operations since independence.
There is also an Eco Garden in Batasia. It provides a lot of information about organic farming and plantations in Darjeeling.
At the center of the Batasia Loop is the War Memorial . This was opened in 1995 to commemorate the Gorkha soldiers of the Darjeeling Hills who sacrificed their lives in various wars after India's independence.
On a clear day, the Batasia Loop renders clear views of the surrounding valleys and mountains.
How to Reach 
Nearest Railway Station to Batasia Loop: Ghoom Railway Station (2 kms).
Nearest Bus stand & Jeep stand to reach Batasia loop: outside Ghoom Railway Station (2 kms).
Nearest Airport to get Batasia Loop: Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri (80 kms).
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Batasia Loop – Darjeeling - West Bengal – India

Location: West Bengal, India

Sunday, 4 May 2014

Located at an altitude of 11,941ft in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, Sandakphu is popularly known as a ‘Trekkers Wonderland’. Offering the best of the views of the Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu, it has got all the reasons to be known such! Showcasing a diverse range of flora and fauna, contrasting views of snow-clad peaks and evergreen forests, it is also the highest point of West Bengal. 
 This place is known as the best trek destination in Darjeeling Himalaya.
 Sandakfu offers awe-inspiring view of surrounding valleys and hills to its visitors
The grandeur of snow capped mountains, battalions of colorful wild flowers like primulas, rhododendron, magnolias, orchids and many other sub-alpine flowers, the melodic chirp of birds filling the air and the fresh green smell.soaking in all of this would definitely elate all your senses. Of course you will have to make an effort and trek uphill to experience this ‘top of the world’ feeling but we assure you it is definitely worth all the effort.
Sandakphu boasts of magnificent sights of Mt Kanchenjunga as well as Mt Everest.The place is also known its lovely sunrises and sunsets.
Sandakphu is the highest peak of the Singalila Ridge and the entire state of West Bengal; no doubt you shall witness the most visually stimulating view from here.
Sandakphu offers tourists an opportunity to relish the incredible beauty of Eastern Himalayas. The place receives snowfall in late December to early February. Covered under the blanket of white snow, Sandakphu surely looks mesmerizing.
In Sandakphu, the temperature varies between -20°C in winter and 15°C in summer. The best time to visit the place is between March and October, when weather is extremely pleasing.
How to Reach 
By Air :
 Two hours flight from New delhi. Indian Airlines and Jet Airways operate tri-weekley and daily flights to Bagdogra (siliguri) respectively.
By Train :
 A 24 hr. journey. The Prestigious Rajdhani Express beside other fast trains run on a regular basis to New Jalpaiguri , the nearest Railhead.
Bus services are available from Darjeeling, via Sukhiapokhri, to Maneybhanjan. The distance of 24.5 km. is covered in about an hour's time. From here, the 28-km. trek to Sandakphu takes 10 to 12 hours. Land Rovers are also available for a trip from Darjeeling to Sandakphu. But the five-hour ride on a rocky terrain is extremely uncomfortable, and hence the trekking route is the more favored one.
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Sandakphu- West Bengal – India

Location: West Bengal, India

Sunday, 27 April 2014

Mirik, located in the state of West Bengal near Darjeeling is a very prominent hill station well-known for its natural splendor and serenity. It is just 49 Kms from Darjeeling and is a very popular tourist destination and tourists from all over the country flock the place in quest of innate beauty and tranquility. It is “worth it” place to head to for a break from the hectic lifestyle.
The major attraction of Mirik is the Sumendu Lake. Sumendu Lake is an artificial lake that has forested ridges on all sides, with garden on one side and pine trees on the other side. Both sides are connected with an arched footbridge called Indreni Pull (Rainbow Bridge) and a road stretching about 3.5 km encircles the lake. This road provides a view of Mount Kanchenjunga.
Located on the southern most part of the lake is the town of Krishnanagar. Within short distance of the town is the Bokar Gompa, home of the Mahayana monks. There are three temples built separately dedicated to the gods of Lord Shiva, Hanuman and Kali Mata located on the western part of the region. Located on the western bank of Lake Sumendu is the Singla Devi Mandir.
Mirik is a fairly new addition to the list of Darjeeling’s tourist spots. Earlier, it used to be splendid meadow bordered by hills.
Nestled in the serene hills of Darjeeling, Mirik Lake is one such tourist attraction that will take your breath away. Owing to its picturesque natural surroundings and invigorating climate, the lake is one of the popular tourist attractions in the region.
One of the things to do while visiting the beautiful Mirik Lake is boating. The fascinating lake offers a chance to row all along the 1.25 km long stretch.
Blessed with a view of the mesmerizing Kanchenjunga peak in the front, the popular Mirik Lake is just a couple of hours away while traveling from Siliguri to Darjeeling.
Besides, tourists can also try fishing in the quiet and tranquil atmosphere all around. As the lake is centered between the raw natural terrains, horse riding and long walks are also the highlighted activities.
Mirik, once known as the 'Burnt Hill' is a popular hill station in North Bengal, India, known for its beautiful Sumendup lake and the exotic view of the Himalayas, is one of those mostly visited tourist spot in the Darjeeling district.
How to Reach 
By Air
The nearest Domestic Airport is Bagdogra Domestic Airport, Siliguri, roughly one hour drive from the town. Scheduled flights are available from cities such as New Delhi, Guwahati, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. There is an availability of the flights from International destinations such as Paro and Bangkok.
By railways
Jalpaiguri Railway station is the nearest railway station to Mirik which is well connected to the major cities such as Trivandrum, Secunderabad, Guwahati, and Chennai, Cochin etc.
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Mirik - West Bengal – India

Location: West Bengal, India

Friday, 18 April 2014

The marvelous hill station, Kalimpong is positioned in the lesser Himalayan Range in West Bengal and is about 50Km away from Darjeeling. This hill town located on an edge overlooking the splendid view of the Teesta river. It is situated at an altitude of 1,250 meters and is full of different cultures and activities. From heritage to trendy spots, wild life to adventure, the place is vibrant and full of beautiful landscapes.
Kalimpong offers a breathtaking view of the snowy peaks of the Himalayan range that lies not far beyond it. The lush green valleys are a soothing sight. There are two things that strike one on reaching Kalimpong. These are its bustling bazaars that stand out in sharp contrast to the quiet atmosphere heightened by the several places of worship all around.
Pristine beauty, charming ambiance and inviting location these features set Kalimpong a side from the other hill stations in the region.
 A small town nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Kalimpong is an absolutely amazing treat for any nature lover, giving a stunning view of the snow-capped Himalayan mountains and Kanchenjunga. You can head to Deolo hill in Kalimpong and get completely mesmerized by the breath-taking view.
Kalimpong being an amazing nature spot, it also has a sizable amount of great wildlife around Kalimpong. Being a part of the Neora Valley National Park, the forests around Kalimpong is also home to endangered species like the Red Panda, Himalayan Tahr, barking deer and is popular for the beautiful avifauna like the Himalayan woodpecker, flycatchers, pheasants and warblers.
The Darjeeling Himalayan region is really popular for its tea and Kalimpong  contributes for about 5% of the totally tea production with tea gardens located in the western side of the Teesta. Kalimpong is also popular for its extensive production of ginger and oranges.
 Kalimpong is a hub for floriculture and really popular for its floriculture industry. There are various nurseries located in and around Kalimpong which is open for tourist view where you can see the various collections of beautiful and exotic flowers and floral plants. Orchids and gladiolus are some of the popular ones which Kalimpong is very well known for.
Kalimpong is indeed a hiker's paradise. There are lovely forests and villages surrounding Kalimpong, perfect to visit hiking. 
How to Reach
By Air
The nearby airport of Kalimpong is Bagdogra in the vicinity of Siliguri. It is placed at a distance of 79 km from the town. This airport is networked with Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati. So you would easily know how to reach Kalimpong. International travelers can use the connecting flights from metro cities like Kolkata or Delhi.
 By Railways
The bordering rail is New Jalpaiguri, which is almost 77 km away from Kalimpong. This is an important railway station in the northern Bengal and also serves as a gateway to the remote northeastern India. You can easily get trains for different Indian cities from this railway station.
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Kalimpong - West Bengal – India

Location: West Bengal, India
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