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Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, hold on tightly to your seats. Today, we are going to visit the fantastic state of West Bengal – a state which has hill stations, forests, and coastal areas. It is the perfect getaway place for your family.
Especially after the global pandemic, many of us have been yearning to satiate our wanderlust. What better way than to travel to revive our parched souls and retain our mental composure!
Let’s take a look at the summer tourist places in West Bengal.
Isn’t it funny that a state which lies in the east of India is named “West Bengal” or “Poschim Bongo” (lovingly called by the locals Bengalis)? When the neighbouring country, Bangladesh, was a part of India (before our independence), it was called “East Bengal”. Naturally, its western part was “West Bengal”.
The state shares international borders with Bangladesh in the east and Nepal and Bhutan in the north. Statewise, West Bengal is surrounded by Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar, Sikkim, and Assam. The Indian Ocean borders the eastern part with the world’s largest bay, known as the Bay of Bengal.
Fun fact: West Bengal is the only Indian state where you can experience the mighty Himalayas and the deep Indian Ocean!
Bengal, which is rich in heritage and culture, was the first kingdom that the British occupied by defeating the last ruler of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah in the Battle of Plassey. Incidentally, Bengal also played an active part in bringing independence in the form of Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army.
The state is home to Nobel laureates Rabindra Nath Tagore and Mother Teresa and has two world heritage sites.
Let us jump into the best summer holiday destinations in West Bengal.
Kolkata, the capital city of West Bengal, is also known as the City of Joy. Being one of the former capitals of the British empire, much of British architecture, like the Victoria Memorial and Fort William, add to the beauty of the city.
The Kolkata Metro was founded in 1969, making it the oldest in the country. Once in Kolkata, do not miss the Dakshineswar Kali Temple and the Belur Math, which is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission founded by Swami Vivekananda.
The majestic cantilever bridge of Howrah is easily the most recognisable structure. Nicco Park, Science City, Birla Planetarium, and Eco Park ensure that Kolkata is delightful and engaging for children. Also, Eden Gardens, Jorashanko Thakurbari, Netaji Bhaban, Indian Museum, Alipore Zoo, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Mother’s House, Rabindra Sadan, Nakhoda Mosque, Princep Ghat, Millenium Park, and New Market are all worth a visit, while binging on the local delicacies. Another wonderful experience in Kolkata is the glorious festival of Durga Puja celebrated around September-October.
Darjeeling is situated in the Eastern Himalayas and marks the northern border of the state. Located at an elevation of about 7000 feet, it is recommended as the best honeymoon destination in North Bengal.
Sprawling tea gardens and unique flora are the adornments to the hill station. The view of Kanchenjunga (the highest peak in India and the third-highest in the world) from Tiger Hill at sunrise is particularly breathtaking.
The Toy Train of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is listed by UNESCO as one of the world heritage sites. The narrow-gauge railway finds its way through bridges and tunnels across the mountain terrain, which is indeed a spectacular achievement since it was built in 1881.
You cannot miss visiting the Buddhist Monasteries, Botanical Garden, Zoo, Batasia loop, ropeway cable car, Mountaineering Institute, and the local markets. For the benefit of your gustatory and olfactory senses, indulge in the authentic Tibetan and Nepalese cuisines and the world-famous Darjeeling tea.
Does this song “Jodi tor dak shune keu na ase, tobe ekla cholo re,” sound familiar? This iconic Rabindrasangeet has not only been inspirational to Bengalis but other Indians as well.
Shantiniketan, located in the Birbhum district, is a major crowd puller. Not only did Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore establish Visva Bharati, he even designed his five houses which are open to the public. The Museum over there showcases the belongings of the Maestro.
Other popular tourist spots are Kancher Mandir (Crystal Palace), Amar Kutir, and Sonajhuri Haat. If you have time, do not miss the Poush Mela usually held in the last week of December, where you can experience Bengali folk music.
Sunderbans is the world’s largest mangrove and is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. It is situated in the South 24 Parganas district. The national park covers the delta formed by the Ganges and Brahmaputra at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal.
The unique ecosystem of Sunderbans houses numerous fauna and flora, including the Bengal Tiger, Ganges river dolphin, crocodiles, spotted deers, sea turtle, and birds, apart from the 78 recorded mangrove species. Apart from its abundant biodiversity, Sunderbans is important for protecting the coastal inhabitants from soil erosion. Boat safaris here are quite enjoyable.
Dooars is located at the foothills of the eastern Himalayas and is the gateway to Bhutan, north of the Brahmaputra river. It is well known for the forests of Jayanti, Chapramari, and Chilapata and is also famed as one of the preferred honeymoon destinations in North Bengal.
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the rare one-horned rhino, deers, reptiles, peacocks, and most importantly, elephants.
The other must-visit North Bengal tourist spots are Buxa Fort, Malbazar, and Murti.
The sea beaches lie in Purba Medinipur on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. The spot acts as a weekend getaway for the locals and is one of the popular summer tourist places in West Bengal.
The Marine Aquarium at Digha can be entertaining for children. Visit Sankarpur, Udaipur, and Talsari Beach in Digha as well. Though Digha is mostly known for its scenic beauty and untouched beaches, New Digha is man-made and easily accessible. Do not miss the fried fish sold by the locals, and hydrate yourself with sweet coconut water.
Mandarmoni is a seaside resort village known for the longest drive-in seashore in India. Rides on the beach bike are quite thrilling. People flock here for sunbathing and bird watching.
Mayapur and Nabadwip are a cluster of nine islands located in the Nadia district and are mainly known for their religious aspects.
Mayapur is situated at the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Jalangi. People from all over the world come to the Chandrodaya Temple, which is the first temple built by ISKCON and also the largest. You can eat your meals and lodge on the temple premises.
Devotees wear the local attire; their dedication to Shree Krishna is bound to touch you.
Nabadwip is primarily known for Shree Chaitanyamath, the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (believed to be the reincarnation of Shree Krishna). It also has numerous beautiful temples.
If your heart beats for a vacation where you get to experience the diversity that India has to offer—geography, flora, and fauna, culture, food, climate, a summer vacation in West Bengal should definitely rank on top of the list.
Check out Cleartrip, a one-stop destination for planning your next vacation. Whether you are searching for exciting deals on flights or hotels, Cleartrip has you covered.
West Bengal is a treasure trove of picturesque beauty, delectable cuisine, rich heritage, and heartwarming culture. Every place in West Bengal, from Darjeeling to Sundarbans to Kolkata, is worth visiting with family and is famed for diverse attractions.
Whether travelling solo or with your loved ones, Cleartrip can help you plan an unforgettable trip to West Bengal to suit your preferences. Depending on the month, days of travel, and places of interest, you can plan your itinerary.
Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Behar are some of the best honeymoon destinations in North Bengal to spend a romantic time in nature’s lap.
Aloo Posto, Ilish Macher Jhol, Tangra Macher Jhol, Lucchi, and Chholar Dal are some of the must-try dishes of West Bengal. Rosogullas, Rasmalai, Sandesh, and Chamcham can satisfy a sweet tooth.
Being one of the culturally prosperous states, West Bengal has a rich legacy of literature, folk stories, theatre and folk drama known as Jatra, fine art, glorious architecture, and folk singing like Gombhira, Bhawaiya, Baul, etc., and the revered Durga Puja to name a few.