|
Near
By Places
Vishnupur
Located in Bankura district, 152 km north-west from Kolkata, Vishnupur
was founded by King Raghunath I, of the Malla dynasty. It flourishes as
the capital of the Mallas till the early 19th century. Terracotta,
metalware & temples characterise Vishnupur. The potters here derive
inspiration from the glorious history of Kings, soldiers and wars. A
music school, root of the Vishnupur Gharana was stablished here in 1370
A.D.
Vishnupur is also known for tussar silk, particularly the Baluchari
Sarees. Woven on the unusual “ punch card” looms, these sarees have
episodes from the Mahabharata woven into the border and pallu.
Bellmetalware, conch shell jewellery and pottery (the famous Bankura
Horse) are available here.
Getting there:
Air: Nearest airport Calcutta is 201 kms away from Vishnupur.
Rail: Vishnupur, the railway station is connected with Calcutta (Howrah).
The trains from Howrah are: Asansol Passenger, Gomoh Passenger,
Howrah-Purulia Passenger, Hatia-Kharagpur.
Road: Vishnupur is well-connected by regular bus services to
Calcutta 151 kms, Durgapur 81 kms, Purulia 145 kms, Bankura 34 kms,
Khargapur 91 kms etc.
Local Transport: Cars on hire and jeeps can be arranged through
the Tourist Lodge. Cars on hire from Kiron Homoeo Hall, Matukgunge.
What to see
-
Ras Mancha (3
kms)
-
Dalmadal
Cannon
-
Jor Bangla
Temple (5 kms)
-
Madan Mohan
Temple (5 kms)
-
Malleswar
Temple (6 kms)
-
Lalji Temple
Mrinmoyee Mandir (3 kms)
-
Shyam Rai
Temple (7 kms)
-
Malla King's
Fort (3.5 kms)
-
Jogesh
Chandra Pura Kirti Bhavan Museum (Timmings 1000 to 1200 & 1400 to 1800
hours).
Excursions
-
Jairambati &
Kamarpukur: 43 kms and 48 kms respectively. These two places are
associated with Shri Ramakrishna and his consort Shri Maa Sarada. Ruins
of the historic Garh Mandaran fort are a few kilometres from Kamarpukur.
-
Mukutmanipur:
82 kms. A dam has ben constructed across the rivers Kangsabati and
Kumari. A picturesque spot for a quiet holiday.
-
Bahulara: 25
kms. The Siddheswar Shiva Temple of Bahulara is well known for its
unique architectural style and exquisite ornamentation of the temple
walls. The Shaileswar Temple of Dihar, 8 kms from Vishnupur, is also an
old temple.
-
Panchmura: 21
kms. Famous for the terracota Bankura Horse, a folk artefact and now the
national symbol for Indian handicrafts.
-
Susunia
Hills: 50 kms. The famous rock inscription of Chandavarma can be seen on
the walls of a cave and dates back to the 4th century AD. Susunia is
connected to Bankura town by bus. Delightful holiday resort in winter.
Also, a centre for rock climbing & trekking.
Festivals
-
Jhapan (Shravana
Sankranti/Mid-August):
Most important festival of Vishnupur is Jhapan, held in the glory of
Manasa, the daughter of Shiva & goddess of snakes. Jhapan represents the
snake worship cult in Bengal. It is basically a regional harvest
festival and closely associated with the fertility cult too. Amidst
chanting of hymns in glory of Goddess Manasa, groups of snake charmers
demonstrate tricks and feats with poisonous snakes. Jhapan literally
means a stage erected to exhibit tricks with snakes. At times performed
on decorated bullock carts and carriages. Charmers, called Jhampanias,
bring king cobras, spectacled and other cobras, vipers, kriats, pythons,
rat snakes, vine and flying snakes, in baskets made of cane, bamboo or
grass, to the old palace ground. Jhapan festival began as a grand
reception first given to Bir Hambir Malla on his return after battle
festival continues and the great snake show by traditional d evotees of
Goddess Manasha, with live & venomous snakes, attracts a large gathering
every year.
-
Indra Puja
(Bhadra/August-September):
Another colourful festival is held at Vishnupur with great pomp. This is
known as the Indra Puja or the Indra Parab. On this occasion the Malla
Raja of Vishnupur presents yellow turbans to local Santal chiefs.
-
Gajan
(March-April):
Gajan festival begins at the end of a week culuminating in month long
rural fairs on Shivaratri day and is a popular festival of rural Bengal.
The festival at the Bahulara Siddheswar Shiva Temple (25 kms away) and
the fair draws large crowds from distant places.
Shopping:
The local handicrafts of Vishnupur include silk, tussar silk, conch
shell wares & bell metal wares. No less important from the point of view
of popular taste are the fine sweetmeats and flavoured tobacco of
Vishnupur. Vishnupur is also famous for terracotta folk toys like the
Bankura (rather Panchmura) horse and clay dolls. Vishnupur Silks are
among the finest in the world.
-
Terracota
Crafts, Dalmadal Road (1/2 kms from the Tourist Lodge).
-
Shri Hari
Sankha Bhandar, Shankharipara.
-
Maa Durga
Sankha Bhandar, Shankharipara.
Darjeeling
Darjeeling the Queen of the Hills is nestled in a setting of
Kanchenjunga and Mount Everest, Tibetan Monasteries, Himalayan Tribal
Life, Pine Trees etc. Which make her qualify as the queen of the hill
stations.
Getting
there:
Air: Bagdogra Airport (96 kms from Darjeeling) has direct air
connections to Calcutta, Delhi, Patna, Guwahati and other places of
North-East India.
Rail: New Jalpaiguri (NJP) station at the base of Darjeeling Hill
area has the direct railway connections to Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati,
Madras, Bombay, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Tirupati, Trivandrum, Cochin
etc. And from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling by toy train it takes 7 hours
on a narrow gauge line.
Road: Darjeeling is connected by road with Calcutta 651 kms,
Gangtok 100 kms, Kalimpong 51 kms. Calcutta-Siliguri have direct NSBTC
Buses, daily.
Local Transport: Cars and Jeeps (Land rovers) are available on
hire. Jeeps and Mini Buses can be hired from the Deputy Director of
Tourism, West Bengal, Nehru Road, Darjeeling.
Sightseeing
-
Tiger Hill-
11 kms. 8482 ft./2590 mtrs
-
Ghoom
Monastery- 8 kms
-
Batasia Loop-
5 kms
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute- 2 kms. 0830-1300 & 1400-1630 hours;
-
Himalayan
Zoological Park
-
Darjeeling
Rangeet Valley Passenger Ropeway- 8 kmslong ropeway
-
Tibetan
Refugees Centre
-
Lebong Race
Course
Natural History Museum- 1000-1600 hrs
-
Happy Valley
Tea Estate- 3 kms
Lloyds Botanical Garden- 0600-1700 hours
-
Observatory
Hill
-
Dhirdham
Temple
-
Senchal Lake-
10 kms
Excursions
-
Sandakphu: 58
kms. Jeepable Road. Tourist can reach by jeep or by landover.
-
Tonglu: 10074
feet or 2070 metres
-
Phalut: 3600
metres
Warden,Youth Hostel,Darjeeling organises regular Trekking Tours during
season.
Sagardwip ( SAGAR ISLAND )
The largest fair in West Bengal, the Gangasagar Mela is held near the
confluence of the Ganga and the Bay of Bengal. Pilgrims come for a holy
dip on Makar Sankranti(last day of the Bengali Month) Negha -Mid January
)and after their obligations at the Kapilmuni Temple nearby.
Getting
there:
From Calcutta to Namkhana by bus (105)kms.Namkhana to Chemaguri by
launch across the river Muriganga from Chamaguri to Gangasagar by bus
(10kms.) One may cross the Muriganga from Herwood Point (lot no. 8) near
Kakdip to Kaachubrie also.Kakdwip is 85 kms. Kachuberia and bus service
from Kechuberia to Gangasagar(30kms)
Raiganj Bird-Sanctuary
Getting there:
Air: Nearest airport Kolkata (425 kms). Though one seasonal
airport is Malda (76 kms) which is connected by Vayudoot service.
Rail: Malda Town (76 kms) is the nearest convenient railhead
connected with all the major cities in India.
Road: Good motorable roads connect Raijang (NH-34) with Kolkata
(425 kms), Malda (76 kms), Siliguri (181 kms). Direct day & night bus
services (NBSTC, CSTC, SBSTC, and Pvt.) are available from Kolkata
(Esplanade Bus Terminus), Malda and Siliguri.
Plassey
A battle was fought between the British and the last Nawab of
Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. Clive the British Chief defeated Nawab -
Siraj-ud-daula by unjust means. Siraj-ud-dula was killed and Mirzaffar
became the Nawab. The historic battle field is still preserved. A
memorial was erected by Lord Curzon at the mango groves where the actual
battle took place.
Getting there:
Road: Plassey: Situated at a distance of 172 kms. from Calcutta
and 43 kms from Bahrampore on National Highway No. 34.
Rail: It is a railway station on Eastern Railway. The battle
field is 5 kms. from Rly. Station. (Sealdah-Lalgoleh line). Bus from
Calcutta, Krishnagar, Bahrampore etc. Taxis and Cycle Rickshaws are
available from Bahrampore.
Kurseong
Kurseong means the places of White Orchid. Situated at an altitude of
2458 metres (4860 feet), Kurseong is 51 kms from Siliguri and 30 kms
from Darjeeling. It is an attractive spot with superb views of the
Kanchenjunga ranges and valleys below.
Getting there:
Air: Nearest airport Bagdogra (60 kms from Kurseong), is
connected to Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati & other places of north-eastern
India by Indian Airlines, Damania & Vayudoot services.
Rail: Kurseong itself is a railway station on the NJP-Darjeeling
narrow gauge line (Toy Train Line). And NJP (New Jalpaiguri), 57 kms
from Kurseong, is directly connected by rail to Calcutta and other main
places in India.
Road: Kurseong is connected by road with Siliguri (51 kms) and
from there to practically all the major cities of India. Some road
distances are: - Guwahati 560 kms, Calcutta 636 kms, Delhi 1359 kms,
Kathmandu 621 kms.
Bus: Kurseong is connected by regular bus-services with Siliguri
(from 0700 to 1645 hours) and Darjeeling (from 0640 to 1600 hours).
Places of
interest
-
Eagle's Crag-
1 km
-
Deer Park- 4
kms
-
Forest Museum
-
Giddhapahar
Mandir- 2 km
-
Ambotika Shiv
Mandir- 5 kms
-
Makaibari Tea
Estate-4 kms
-
St.Mary's
Hill- 4 km; Dowhill
-
Baggaura;
Chimney
-
Kettle Valley
Picnic Spot
-
Namsu
-
Netaji Kothi
-
Walks & Treks
in Kurseong
-
Kurseong
Town-Forest School-Dow Hill School-Kurseong (8 kms).
-
Kurseong
Town-St.Mary's-(Rangers College) Deorali-Chimney-Kurseong (8 kms).
-
Kurseong-Singell Tea Estate-Cafebari-Rinchngton Power Station-Namshu
Picnic Spot-Kurseong (16 kms)
Kalimpong
Kalimpong is a quieter destination just 51 kms east of Darjeeling the
former headquarters of the Bhutanese Governor. It is situated at an
altitude of 1250 meters between the Deolo and Durbindra Hills.
Getting
there:
Air: Nearest airport Bagdogra (80 kms from Kalimpong) is
connected to Calcutta, Delhi, Guwahati & other places of north-eastern
Indian by Indian Airlines, Damania & Vayudoot services.
Rail: Two nearest railway stations are New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and
Siliguri where NJP is directly connected by rail with all the important
places in India.
Road: Kalimpong is connected by road with Calcutta 651 kms,
Guwahati 513 kms, Delhi 1312 kms and other major cities in India.
What to see
-
Durpin Dara
-
Flower
Nursaries (Shri Ganeshmoni Pradhan Nursary, Standari Nursary, Shri
L.B.Pradhan Nursary etc.)
-
Gouripur
House- 2 kms
-
Swiss Welfare
Dairy- 4 kms
-
Tibetan
Monastery
Durgapur
Durgapur projects an image of an industrialised India. It is the third
integrated steel plant of Hindustan Steel Limited and occupies an area
of 6.47 sq. kms. The plant has been instrumental in changing the rural
face of Durgapur into an immense industrial complex encompassing public
and private sectors.
Getting
there:
Air: Nearest national and international airport Calcutta is 176
kms away.
Rail: Durgapur is the railway station on the Eastern Railway.
Road: Durgapur is connected by good motorable roads with Calcutta
176 kms, Patna 414 kms, Asansol 50 kms, Shantiniketan 62 kms, Vishnupur
72 kms.
Local Transport: Taxis, City Bus services, Cycle Rickshaws are
available.
Sight
seeing:(Distances are from the railway station)
-
Alloy Steel
Project (10 kms)
-
Mining and
Allied Machinery Corporation (6 kms)
-
Durgapur Coke
Ovens Project Limited (6 kms)
-
A.V.B. (6 kms)
-
Durgapur
Barrage (3 kms)
-
Durgapur
Steel Plant (10 kms)
-
Philips
Carbon Black & Sankey Wheels
Note: Permits (nontransferable) are issued only on a visit in person to
the Public Relations Office.Visiting Hours: 1030 to 1230 hours and 1430
to 1630 hours on weekdays and 0930 to 1215 hours on Saturday.
Parks and
Gardens
Park in `A' Zone and Bel Park in `B' Zone, Steel Township.
Excursions
-
Asansol: 42
kms. Connected with Durgapur by train and bus.
-
Chittranjan:
77 kms. Connected with Durgapur by train and bus.
-
Jaidev: 22
kms. The birthplace of the famous Bengali Vaishnava poet Jaidev. Regular
bus service available upto Ajoy river from where the river can be
corssed on foot. Ferry service across the river is available during the
monsoons. A fair is held during the first half of January which lasts
from 10 to 15 days.
-
Shantiniketan:
61 kms. International University Founded by Rabindranath Tagore
-
Vishnupur: 72
kms. Ancient-city reputed for temples and terracotta sculpture.
Digha
Beach-on-the-bay of West Bengal, Digha, offers all the pleasures of a
private beach. The beach is cupped with casuarinas plantation.
Getting there:
Air: Calcutta is the nearest airport which is about 210 kms away
from Digha.
Rail: Though Contai Road (37 kms) is the nearest railway station
for Digha but Kharagpur ( km from Digha & km from Howrah) and Mechheda (
km from Digha and km from Howrah) on the South-Eastern Railway are the
most convenient railheads for Digha from where buses are available which
takes 4 hours.
Road: Route 1. Calcutta-Howrah-Mechheda-Norghat-Contai-Ramnagar-Digha:
185 km. Route 2. Calcutta-Deulti-Kolaghat-Kharagpur-Digha: 243 km. Route
3. Tarakeswar-Harinkhola-Arambag-Vishnupur-Kharagpur-Digha: 355 km
Bus: Regular direct buses are available from Calcutta to Digha.
C.S.T.C. express buses ply from Esplanade (Calcutta) from 0630 hours to
1000 hours. Luxury buses from West Bengal Tourist Bureau, 3/2 B.B.D.Bagh
departs daily at 0700 hours
Buxa Tiger Reserve
Buxa Tiger Reserve was set up in the year of 1982-83 at the north
eastern corner of West Bengal bordering Bhutan and Assam. This charming
reserve with its proigous Terai, Bhabar as well as Hilly landscape is
dissected by copious rivulets. It’s acknowledged as a National Park in
January 1992.
Buxa has an area of 745 sq km, the largest forest in North Bengal and
has the second highest tiger population in West Bengal after Sunderbans.
The varitable flora and fauna of these wet forests having an annual
downpour exceeding 5000 mm, attracts tourists and nature lovers every
year. This part of the country is rich in plant & animal bio-diversity
and has a great collection of rare orchids and medicinal plants. Because
of i naccessible terrain, some parts of Buxa hills in the Sinchula range
are still unexplored.
back Page
1 |
Earn $300/Month for 3-6 months
